Chris Chun

Introducing Maa Lii

chris — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:13:50 +0000

I have started work on my 2nd elephant who is called Maa Lii.

Painting flowers from real life is the best!

“I am always inspired by the natural abundance and beauty of tropical flowers here in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand. Located next to my studio are Kamtieng Flower Markets, which have the most amazing selection of orchids (one of my favourite flowers).

My studio seems more like a nursery these days LOL!

Flowers are an integral part of Thai Culture and are used in floral garlands to pay respect to Buddha. They are also presented and worn at many festive and happy occasions, such as graduations, birthdays and weddings, for good luck.

Garlands of orchids are draped all over the elephant

Maa Lii is an ancient Thai word for flower blossom and represents my time here in Thailand”.

Detail Shot

You can view the work in progress on my Facebook Page.

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Kiku – Video and Tour Dates

chris — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:16:48 +0000

On 21 July 2013, Elephant Parade will return to the UK for a 375-day tour sponsored by intu, owner of some of the UK’s best shopping centres. From Glasgow to London, Manchester to Nottingham, intu will be bringing the 100-strong elephant herd to over half the UK population in 14 locations, making it the longest-running Elephant Parade to date – and its first ever nationwide tour.

Kiku is the first elephant to be painted for the tour and has been sponsored by intu. You can view the making of Kiku and tour dates below:

Official Tour Venues and Dates

17 July 2013, Preview event
21 July 2013, intu Watford (4 weeks)
19 August 2013, intu Trafford Centre, Manchester (4 weeks)
16 September 2013, intu Metrocentre, Gateshead (4 weeks)
14 October 2013, intu Eldon Square, Newcastle (4 weeks)
18 November 2013, Cardiff (3 weeks)
15 January 2014, intu Braehead, Glasgow (4 weeks)
3 February 2014, intu Potteries, Stoke (4 weeks)
3 March 2014, intu Victoria Centre/Broadmarsh, Nottingham (5 weeks)
7 April 2014, intu Chapelfield, Norwich (4 weeks)
5 May 2014, intu Lakeside, West Thurrock, Essex (4 weeks)
2 June 2014, intu Uxbridge (4 weeks)
30 June 2014, intu Bromley (4 weeks)
28 July 2014, Central London

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Our first road trip down south….

chris — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:47:49 +0000

A few weeks ago during Songkran (our Thai New Year Holiday), we took a little road trip down south to visit Sukhothai, the ancient capital of Thailand. I’ll tell you more about it in the next post but on our way, we stopped at Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, a beautiful Buddhist Lanna Style Temple.

I love the faded elegance and Lanna detailing.

The exquisite facade and aged golden splendour is just beautiful.

Left: This is what an original chedi used to be like before the one above on the right

The Bodhi Tree is a well- known symbol for happiness, prosperity, longevity and good luck.

These trees are believed to contain spirits and have been wrapped in brightly coloured ribbons.

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Kiku Party

chris — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 04:15:04 +0000

After 3 weeks of painting solidly everyday, Kiku is finally finished and on her way to the UK ( but not before a quick spray coat of gloss varnish at the factory). I have to thank the team at Elephant Parade for all their amazing support and encouragement – they have been really wonderful to work with.

Kiku is finally finished and ready to show off to the world!

I have created a photo journal of ‘The Making of Kiku’ which you can view by clicking here. We also had a little viewing party for Kiku a few days ago before she left yesterday – you can view the pics by clicking here.

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Kiku – Work in Progress

chris — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 13:07:23 +0000

I thought it may be fun for you to see the progress of Kiku for the 2013 Elephant Parade UK Tour. It has been quite a challenge as not only is it the biggest thing I’ve painted (about 10 sqm), it’s also my first time painting a 3D object.

Working out the layout for Kiku - my Japanese inspired elephant. I am a big lover of antique kimono fabrics.

It's always scary starting any new painting with the first brushstroke but this is going to be fun!

Once the outline is done, it's a matter of getting the balance of colours right and painting all the patterns.

Day 3 and I am starting to wish I could just clone myself. It would make the job alot easier and faster.

Day 4: the acrylic paints I'm using are not that opaque so several coats of painting is required for each colour.

Day 5: Help has arrived with 2 artists from Elephant Parade. They have been painting elephants for a long time so they know all the tricks and shortcuts. It's my first time working with other artists on one of my paintings and I'm quite enjoying it!

Kiku is covered with butterflies on a rich dark chocolate background which symbolise hope and freedom.

The end of the first week and Kiku is starting to come alive.

Don’t forget to check my Facebook Page for recent updates. Cx

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Adam and Eve

chris — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 08:29:40 +0000

My friend Kristie and I were recently invited to the First Anniversary Party of one of Chiang Mai’s chicest hotel 137 Pillars House. The theme this year was fabulous hat. As I was pressed for time (painting 2 elephants does this to you LOL), I wanted to do something relatively fast that I could make in a day or afternoon.

I’ve always loved the flower headpiece from the movie ‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ so I thought ‘why don’t I try and make something similar?” But with real flowers, especially as we have some of the most amazing flower markets here in Chiang Mai.

Assembling the hat! I bought a headband and wired a basket to it so I could put oasis in it.

My talented friend Fai assembled the headpieces for us using a variety of different flowers and leaves. We kept Kristie’s headpiece quite colourful in a berrylicious palette of fuschia pinks and purples, whilst I wanted mine to be more sculptural and understated in greens, creams and yellows.

Looks quite spectacular from all angles, don't you think?

The hats weighed a tonne though by the time they were finished. The oasis, foliage and flowers was actually quite heavy.

At the First Anniversary Party with General Manager, Mr Manfred Ilg

Guess who won best hat?

Winners are Grinners!

Not only did our headpieces smell amazing, we were also able to enjoy our flowers afterwards….isn’t this one of the best examples of recycling?

The hat made a lovely flower arrangement afterwards

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Smart Creative Women Interview

chris — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 22:21:40 +0000

I was recently interviewed by the charming Monica Lee from Smart Creative Women about my journey into becoming a full time artist and licensing my artwork. Monica has created an inspiring, fun and informative website featuring interviews with smart creative women (and some men) from all different creative walks of life. She also does business coaching and teaches watercolour painting. You can click here to go to the video interview.

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Guess what I’m painting?

chris — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 18:52:10 +0000

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One Night in Bangkok

chris — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 19:08:31 +0000

One of the joys of travelling is discovering new places that only the locals know about. When we were in Bangkok recently, we got taken by our good friend Bird to a couple of new treasures. Our first stop was V64 Art Studio - an old warehouse site which homes over 30 studios and workshops for artists to create and showcase their work to buyers. It’s an exciting place to visit though very difficult to find if you’re not with someone who has been there before.

V64 Art Studio is self managed and promoted by the artists themselves

There was artwork ranging from the cute to the strange

Colour, colour and more colour

Artist Pongsakul Chalao uses a sewing machine to create fabric artworks

These were some of my favourite pieces

Our 2nd stop was the vibrant and bustling Talat Rod Fai or Railway Markets to you and me. It’s only open on the weekends, situated next to Chatuchak Markets and it is mainly a night market. There are stalls upon stalls (and shops in the railway buildings) selling all kinds of collectibles and memorabilia from the yesteryear, from antique furniture to hippy fashion to Mao kitsch. With live music, loads of eateries and plenty to see, it’s a great place to hang out.

There are all sorts of vintage items from old signs to music boxes

It's a really fun place to explore

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Flower Parade

chris — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 23:12:36 +0000

The 38th Annual Flower Parade was on again in Chiang Mai and as always, a kaleidoscope of colour, texture and pizzazz. I think this is our 2nd parade – how time flies when you’re having fun!! I’ll let the photos do the talking…..

One of the many multicoloured floats decorated in flowers

This was one of my favourite floats

The attention to detail on each float was quite something!

I would love to be able to see these floats being made up. Maybe I can try for next year.

The following day there is a flower judging show - the flowers were incredible!

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