I would agreed that we are influenced and inspired by each other and thus nothing is really mine. Therefore, I think I use the term "we" though it is a bit lonesome doing this site for me but there is the print provider, the past artists, the art lovers that had restored some part of the work. The likes on some social media account, thus it is never really alone in this journey.

For instance, one of my many favourite collection, The Book Of Modern Calligraphy, Georg Bocskay and Joris Hoefnagel never met, but they collaborated (or more likely competed) on a masterpiece. Bocskay probably couldn't anticipate the whimsical approach that would be taken 15 years after his death by the learned illustrator Hoefnagel, perhaps Europe's last great illuminator.

Another would be my favourite "The Blood Book Series" -- its decoupage was assembled from several hundred engravings, many taken from books of etchings by William Blake, as well as other illustrations from early nineteenth-century books assembled by John Bingley Garland.

We believe great art should live beyond museum walls. That is why our humble online store digitally restore and reimagine masterpieces from history’s artists and now reborn as vibrant prints, and home decor. Every piece celebrates creativity that belongs to the world because all our artworks are lovingly sourced. It starts from an idea what if Monet’s water lilies flowed onto your phone case? As art lovers, we wanted to make these treasures accessible —not as distant relics, but as part of your daily life. Using gentle digital enhancements, faded colors are polished, with details sharped, to adapt compositions in order to fit modern product yet we always respecting the original artist’s vision. Ethically Sourced : All our art work are ethically sourced Art in the public domain, so your purchase supports art preservation. Thoughtful Restoration: We enhance vintage art without distorting its soul—no garish filters, just careful revival. 

One of my favourite art work is the Victorian Blood Books. Despite John Bingley Garland's outstanding works which is now kept in musemums - he had never considered himself an artist and is self taught. Because of him, he had inspired us to do a series of Hard Jounral Books. 

John Bingley Garland was a prosperous English merchant, politician, public servant, and collage artist. He had put together a manuscript of forty-five “Blood Collages” often referred to as the ‘Victorian Blood Book’. All likely executed in the 1850s, 62 years before the medium of collage was officially “invented” by Picasso or Braque.

Material used are collages of engravings, gold paper with gouache, and gold paint with extensive inscriptions in pen and ink on buff backing paper. Its decoupage was assembled from several hundred engravings, many taken from books of etchings by William Blake, as well as other illustrations from early nineteenth-century books. He would meticulously cut and assemble hundreds of prints as source material to create astonishing, visionary collages. 

The works include extensive inscriptions of religious texts, gold and blue paper, painted gouache, and his signature drops of blood made with diluted red ink. It also contains many symbols bleeding doves and crosses, red ankhs (Egyptian hieroglyph symbolizing life), serpents, skulls, stars, eggs—mixed with Christian and pagan imagery, architecture and ruins, sculpture, and archaeological fragments. These mysterious and spiritual works are in our collection.

The book’s reputation, however, rests on a decorative detail that overwhelms: To each page, Garland added languid, crimson drops in red India ink, hanging from the cut-out images like pendalogues from a chandelier.

Blood drips from platters of grapes and tree boughs, statuaries and skeletons. Crosses seep, a cheetah drools, angels dangle bloody sashes. A bouquet of white chrysanthemums is spritzed.

To be clear, Garland’s blood is not that of surgery or crime or menses, but of religious iconography. He obviously intended the blood to represent Christ’s own. 

And yet the final work suggests that the properties of actual blood tugged the artist’s shirtsleeves, pulling him away from the symbol and towards its source. It’s as if God gave Garland permission to fetishize hemorrhage.

The Blood Book isn’t the only evidence of this fixation. Garland also made several single-page collages, now dispersed in various museums. In these, the imagery is more densely layered and the compositions more clamorous than those in the Blood Book, but the trademark drips remain.

Some of you may have noticed I am influenced by some of the Japanese prints -- and I am sure I am not the only one. Japan is a country that deeply resonates with me because of its profound respect for heritage, community, and artistry.

Vincent van Gogh was deeply influenced by Japanese art, particularly ukiyo-e woodblock prints, which profoundly shaped his artistic style, subject matter, and even his philosophy of art. 

In the late 19th century, Japan opened trade with the West, and ukiyo-e prints by artists like Hokusai, Hiroshige, and Utamaro flooded European markets. Van Gogh encountered them in Paris (1886–1888), where he collected hundreds of prints, even trading his own paintings for them.

Key influences on Van Gogh's Art:

Bold Outlines & Flat Colors: Japanese prints used strong contours and unshaded colors—seen in Van Gogh’s The Courtesan (After Eisen) (1887), where he copied a print directly.

Unconventional Compositions: Hiroshige’s Sudden Shower Over Shin-Ōhashi Bridge inspired Van Gogh’s tilted perspectives, as in The Bedroom (1888).

Nature as a Subject: Japanese art celebrated everyday beauty—cherry blossoms, cranes, and landscapes—which influenced Van Gogh’s floral works (Almond Blossoms, 1890)

Vibrant Contrasts: He adopted the bright, unnatural colors of prints, like in The Sower (1888), where a yellow sun blazes against a violet sky.

Van Gogh wasn’t alone—Monet, Toulouse-Lautrec, and others were also Japonisme enthusiasts. But his embrace was uniquely emotional; he saw Japanese art as a path to "serenity and joy" amid his struggles.

Fun Fact: His Portrait of Père Tanguy (1887) features Japanese prints in the background, a tribute to his obsession.

Now here is why I love Japan and its culture

Pride in Tradition: Unlike many places, Japan takes immense pride in preserving its history. It’s inspiring to see shops run by the same family for generations—like a 9th-generation restaurant still perfecting the same dish with unwavering dedication. This commitment to craftsmanship is rare and beautiful.

Thoughtful Public Etiquette: During my visit, I witnessed a young man drop his ice cream. Instead of walking away, he cleaned it up with tissues, then bought two bottles of water from a Lawson store to wash the spot thoroughly. This sense of collective responsibility extends to trains, where people stay quiet to let others rest. Such small acts of consideration make society harmonious.

Sincere Hospitality: From shopkeepers to hotel staff, Japanese hospitality is unmatched. The 90-degree bow isn’t just a formality—it reflects genuine respect for guests. You feel welcomed, not just served.

Artistry in Everyday Life: Whether it’s hand-painted ceramics, intricate kimono patterns, or vibrant festival attire like yukata, Japan blends art into daily life. During matsuri (festivals), seeing people casually dressed in traditional wear reminds me how deeply culture is woven into modernity.

Cleanliness and Order: Even bustling cities like Tokyo and Osaka feel pristine. Streets are spotless, queues are orderly, and public spaces are treated with care—proof that respect for shared spaces is a cultural value.

Food Crafted with Care: Every meal, from convenience store onigiri to Michelin-starred sushi, is prepared thoughtfully. Tiny family-run eateries serve dishes with the same pride as high-end chefs, making every bite a testament to their passion.

Japan’s culture isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a lesson in mindfulness, respect, and preserving what matters. It’s a place where tradition and modernity don’t clash—they dance together flawlessly.

We believe great art should live beyond museum walls. That is why some of our items in our humble online store are digitally restore and reimagine masterpieces from history’s artists and now reborn as vibrant prints, and home decor. Every piece celebrates creativity that belongs to the world because all our artworks are lovingly sourced. As art lovers, we wanted to make these treasures accessible —not as distant relics, but as part of your daily life. Using gentle digital enhancements, faded colors are polished, with details sharped, to adapt compositions in order to fit modern product yet we always respecting the original artist’s vision. Ethically Sourced : All our art work are ethically sourced Art in the public domain, so your purchase supports art preservation. Thoughtful Restoration: We enhance vintage art without distorting its soul—no garish filters, just careful revival. Zero Waste: Your item is made only when you order it,  reducing overproduction and environmental harm.

Having spent my years mainly in Hong Kong, China and in Singapore. I am always amazed by the culture and art in each country. It is a pity that some of these heritage are endangered and it is my hope to see more handmade items than the factory made.

Kiriko is a form of glasswork that dates back to the 1800s and involves grinding intricate Japanese patterns into the surface of glass and this project does it by hand. There will be glass blowing and then only it will be will turn them into kiriko. As each glass will be blown, cut, and polished by hand, there will be slight variations in color and shape and this as a mark of the craftsmanship that goes into making an item like this. 

There are several factors that make these glasses so expensive to produce, with the biggest being the amount of time it takes to make just one. Since these are completely handmade at each step of the process (hand-blown, hand-cut, and hand-polished), many hours go into making each individual glass. Also, these glasses involve an extensive amount of intricate cutting, which further adds to the time that it takes to make and polish them. As described above, "temigaki" hand-polishing requires re-tracing each cut several times with special polishing wheels and actually takes 2 to 3 times longer than the initial cutting process itself. 

Edo Kiriko is designated as the traditional handcrafts of Tokyo and Japan. Cut is very detailed, and finish is clear and brilliant. You can feel both Japan through Edo Kiriko patterns and the occidental through outstanding cut. It may take a few months to manufacture and ship this item, if it is out of stock. As each item is handmade, they may be slightly different in size, shape or shade of color.

We believe in small acts of love and therefore one of our goals is to have a small giving mission in the last quarter of the year near Christmas. Unfournately, it is still a small project now but we wish to give back because there are children in the children's home or communities spending alone who deserves warmth, hope, and a little bit of joy too. In the last quarter of the year, we source for what they might need such as e.g., school supplies and others as early small Christmas gifts. It’s our small way of nurturing and givining back one heart at a time. Right now, it is still a very small and humble project but we hope to make it better. Last year in year 2024, with our heart full, we packed 50 mini goodie bags for the Singapore Children Society — as donation in kind, filled practical stationary to write dreams with, and aromatherapy shower gels to for self care moments. It wasn’t much at all but we hope we can do more. This year, we hope to do something similar again to plant love in even the humblest soil.