Take a good look: these are your fellow Singaporeans!

In two days' time, we bid 2008 farewell and welcome 2009.

It is timely to look back and give thanks for all the blessings we are given. For me, the greatest blessing I received are from the countless Singaporeans whom I met. I have met more Singaporeans in 2008 than I ever had in my life!

Whether it's conducting a workshop, or sharing a seminar session, or going to schools to promote my comic book, or working with someone on a new comic project, I see a lot of my fellow country men and women.

I am present to an abundance of beauty. Singaporeans are beautiful, and I am still in awe that I did not realise that sooner. I still cannot believe that I am a part of you!

Recently, I conducted a series of workshops for people from different government bodies. As we worked together on their comic ideas, I am amazed at their creativity and sense of humour.

They may not know how to draw at first, but they are willing to give it a good try.
They may seemed reserved and quiet at first, but they come through with their ideas.
They may have limited resources (I deliberately allowed only two types of markers), but they create and communicated effectively with their artworks!

Look at their drawings and you will see we have much in common.

I was brought up to be afraid to look at people in their eyes. Maybe because I heard too much about fights that broke out during staring incidents amongst gangsters in the distant past.

But when I do, and open myself up to their worlds, I find so much in common (I know, this sounds so hippie!).

Yet, if you sit down with a fellow Singaporean, and look around at all that we have achieved in such short decades, you can truly feel proud to be a part of this country (ok, now I'm sounding very National Education!).

So, what's the secret of being happy? I urge you to look fellow Singaporeans in the eyes more. If someone clears your tray at a coffee shop, look him or her in the eyes and say 'thanks'. If someone smiles at your dog, smile back on your dog's behalf. If someone stops for you at the zebra-crossing, give him or her a wave of thanks.

Thank you all for reading my blogs, whether you see eye-to-eye with me on certain issues.

May all of us be prosperous and happy in 2009!

Yours sincerely,
Otto

Merry Christmas!

Thank you Straits Times! Our main local paper gave my Sir Fong bunny an opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas today in Life! section. I am humbled!

Here's the online version:

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Lifestyle/Story/STIStory_318476.html

Last week I went to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A few of the artists were there to sign for the launch of Liquid City in Kuala Lumpur's Kinokuniya bookstore. I am very happy to see my Sir Fong books in Malaysia.

I got to meet Tan Eng Huat. He has pencilled and inked for Silver Surfer, Batman and Doom Patrol. I also got to buy one of his original artworks, but that's another story I'll post in a while.

I also met Muhamad Azhar Abdullah and Kaoru of Gempak, Malaysia's most popular comic magazine.

Here's Leong Wan Kok, a fellow artist in Liquid City. I will be highlighting his comic work here soon!

Anyway, to all of you who are reading this and supporting me in one way or another, to all of you who are my friends or fans, I wish you a Merry Christmas!

Liquid City book signing - SOLD OUT!

Today paper's coverage on Channelnewsasia website (click link below):

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainmentfeatures/view/392061/1/.html

Excitement is high for the book signing at Kinokuniya. Aside from the supporters of various artists, there are comic fans who gathered to get their hands on signed copies of "Liquid City Anthology". If ever there is a moment in Singapore comic history, this is one of them.

Troy Chin, Drewscape, Gary Choo, Kenfoo, Leong Wan Kok, Hu Jingxuan, Lefty, FSc, Chin Sau Lim, Michael Chuah, Koh Hong Teng and myself were present to sign each book on Saturday. Sonny Liew, editor and Eisener-nominated comic artist, headed the team. Celebrity supporters include Miel, Lim Chengtju and Morgan Chua.

We sold out all of Kinokuniya's stock that day.

Then it's off to Black Earth Art Museum, where Sonny and Hong Teng join 2 other illustrators for a unique comic art exhibition called "Half Flat", sponsored by National Arts Council.

29th Nov 2008 is a most memorable day for SE Comics indeed!

Liquid City anthology OUT NOW!

Update: Book signing at Kinokuniya (3rd floor Ngee Ann City)
2pm - 4pm

This will be the only opportunity in Singapore when you can get signatures of this groundbreaking comic anthology from many of the artists involved. As there is limited stock of the book brought in, don't miss this book signing!
Each book costs $41.99 (if I remember correctly)

I received my complementary copy of "Liquid City", published by Image (that's the publisher of Spawn). Besides amazing works by Ken Foo, Troy Chin, Koh Hong Teng etc etc, it's also edited lovingly by Sonny Liew. This marks a couple of 'firsts' for me:

1. First time my comic work is featured in an American publication!
2. First time my work is featured alongside my childhood idol Lat's work!

Here's a little video I made to celebrate:




There are TWO BOOK SIGNINGS:

29th Nov - Singapore Kinokuniya at Takashimaya

14th Dec - Kuala Lumpur Kinokuniya

Be there to get your historical document signed by Sonny Liew and some of the featured artists.

And on a totally trivial but fun note, my Jack Russell's five kids appeared on Sunday's newspaper. Their owner (not me) sent the pictures to Straits Times.

So so proud. Heehee.

Star Wars in Raffles Institution

Special thanks to Tanjong Katong Secondary School and Jurong West Secondary School for being such great hosts! I really enjoyed my visits and it's always great to be visiting Singapore schools.

Some students who have seen my Star Wars spoof asked to see it again. I finally got around to emailing Jacky Chua, my co-star in the English Day video, for his consent to post it on Youtube. So here it is:

CLICK HERE: Star Wars In RI

I'll be doing book signing for the Image Comics "Liquid City Anthology" in Kino soon. Will keep u updated here.

TWO drawing contests!!!

EOY (End Of Year exams lah!) is OVER!

After a year of hard work, this is your time to relax.

November is a month for you to flex your creative muscles: draw comics, and win comic books! I have NOT one, but TWO comic competitions to recommend:

For those of you whose school subscribe to What's Up, Singapore's Newspaper for Students, get the October issue and turn to page 19. You can also go to the following link to read about the competition:

http://www.whatsup.sg/oct08_cont01.html
IMPORTANT: DEADLINE IS 30TH OCTOBER 2008!

COMPETITION NUMBER 2:

The new anthology, featuring Asian comic artists, by American popular comic company IMAGE will be launched in November. I will have an entry called Alpha Gorilla.

You can win a free copy of the new comic book if your drawing gets selected. So go to the following link and start drawing!

http://sonny123.deviantart.com/journal/20889602/
IMPORTANT: DEADLINE IS 2ND NOVEMBER 2008!

Singapore International Story Telling Festival

Click here: Why Bunnies Why Science Comics?

After the whirlwind of promotion at Takashimaya and Kinokuniya (see pictures below), I invested some time and money towards self-improvement. Organised by the NBDCS (National Book Development Council of Singapore), a Boot Camp on Digital Storytelling taught me how to create a short story using photo stills, voice-over and simple home computer editing software like Windows Media Maker and Audacity. Yup, no longer do we restrict our stories to words and paper.

My fabulous coaches, Denise Atchley and Leslie Rule, reminded me the importance of keeping it short and keeping the story King.

The Youtube video was the result!

I have always benefited from the events organised by various civil services. Afterall, my first big break was winning the 2000 Toon Craze Toon Grace organised by CDC (Community Development Council). And I just want you all to know that Singapore's Civil Services are really something we can be proud of.

What a GREAT WEEK!

I never dreamed that my comic creations would become calenders and car decals! Yet, that's what happened at Takashimaya this weekend. A Star Child 2009 calender and car decal were the lucky draw gifts for Breezeto5, a new online job seeker!

Then I have 6 wonderful Sec 4 ladies help me out at Kinokuniya's Sir Fong's Adventures book promo! Promoting books are never easy, but these great girls tirelessly talked to parents and kids, and for every parent or kid who stepped forward and gave a new local comic book a chance, I am blessed!

This week, I've had a great assembly talk, two great workshops and a double-comic-event at Takashimaya. It was a lot of hard work, a lot of extra hours making sure things work out, and a lot of support from Singaporeans and non-Singaporeans. I am present to the greatness that Singaporeans are, and I am fueled to continue Sir Fong's Adventures series!

After this promo, I am going to be a student at a digital story-telling workshop for one week, then it's time to get back to starting the next Sir Fong's Adventures In Science!

Assembly Talk at Telok Kurau Primary!

Hi TKPS boys n girls,

Thank you for a GREAT time at the Assembly Monday morning!

Thanks for all of you who have made orders for "Sir Fong's Adventures In Science"! I have given Mrs Sheryl your books! You can bring the money this week to the library, and you will get your ottographed book AND free bookmark!

Thank you all again for your enthusiasm and strong support!

Otto

PS. For those of you who want a book but did not place an order, please place your order with Mrs Sheryl too. I'll bring more books over!

Double Events 29 - 31st Aug!

+++ Event Number 1: +++

Kinokuniya has sold out my first two Sir Fong comic books!

The bookstore has generously given me the golden hour/day for a book signing:

30th AUGUST 2008 (Saturday only)
(Saturday - start of September holidays)

Please help me by downloading and sending the below poster to your friends. If you know about friends who want a fun way of learning Science, or parents who want a great Science comic book for their primary school / secondary school kids, please send this to them!

+++ Event Number 2: +++

On the same weekend, my first comic-related merchandise will go on sale!

Location: Takashimaya fountain basement
Date: 29th, 30th & 31st Aug 2008 (Fri, Sat & Sun)
On sale: Star Child 2009 calender + Star Child car decals!

Star Child 2009 calender: this limited edition poster will feature 12 of the best Star Child comic strips, one for each month of 2009. Star Child is really laugh-out-loud funny, and the calender will make a great New Year gift for your friends and colleagues. This is really super limited, and I'll be there in the afternoons to sign the calender too!

Star Child car decals: these two decals are personally designed by myself. As you can see, they're both cute and hilarious. Guaranteed to catch people's eyeballs when they come too close to your car on the road. Don't miss your chance to grab these - ideal car decals for us wonderfully kiasu Singaporean drivers!