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Kaleidoscope Straw Installation - 2014 I had the pleasure to meet Joel Gregorio and Arnold Fidelino who are the founders of Sovereign State. This past year I've learn so much from these wise guys. Hanging  out with them has really given me some insight about being authentic and determined with my career.  On September 26th, Sovereign State had launched their special limited prints by some of the finest local artists in Toronto. Including two of my favorite artists and best friends, Tessar Lo and Nimit Malavia prints are now available online now at STATE GOODS website. With all their hard work, Sovereign State compiled some of their biggest clients together to host a big party at one of Toronto's landmark in the west end. I was so flattered when they asked me to decorate for the event at the Gladstone Hotel.  When I visited Sovereign State's studio, I was very inspired by the layout of his space. There were little treasures hidden in parts of his studio and you can tell Joel had a lot of interests in objects and things. This space was an archive, a collection of interesting things that inspire him and his staff. At the time I was really into creating simple structures with mundane objects. I came up with a beautiful circular sculpture that consisted of 170 white drinking straws linked together with fishing line. As a result the sculpture was light as a feather, perfect for install.  Once again I want to congratulate Sovereign State for hosting a great party.Many thanks to Joel and Arnold for giving me this opportunity. I look forward to see what they will do next for our community! 

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Kol Kid Back to School Window Display 2014  I made apples for Kol Kid's window display in the beginning of September during the first week  of school. There were 50 apples made from tissue paper stuffed with off cuts from my other projects. I wanted to do something that was unconventional and cute for the store. The concept of this window display was inspired by this quote: "If you wish to create an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe." - Carl Sagan 

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COUPE DE COEUR : Tie Dye Party  In the beginning of summer, I had started this art fundraising project called COUPE DE COEUR. I spent the summer giving the freshest, bad bitch, gangster , good looking $5 haircuts to raise money for my art events. My goals was to raise $500 to help me kick start for the Tie Dye Party. Within couple weeks I had raised over $500 and had the opportunity to meet so many great people.  I was very fortunate to find a venue that let me hosted the Tie Dye Party event at The White House Studio Project on August 28th. I collected all the materials for everyone to come together and make their very own summer tie dye t-shirts. At the event I demonstrated 5 different tie dye techniques. One of my main goals of this event was to keep it open to everyone. Part of this experience to learn something new, meet great people and have fun!  It was such a big success, the studio was complete full house. There was about 100 people coming in and out of the studio all night. It was overwhelming but I was so happy to see everyone. I want to thank everyone again for coming out to my events. I'm really lucky to have such amazing support, but a lot of these events wouldn't be the same if it wasn't for you. You are the main reasons why these events make it inspiring for others. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!  ugh I learned so much from this experience and I'm excited to launch the next big event! For more updates please follow me on my instagram : paddy_leung

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Part 3: My Paradise  On August 16th, I had a opportunity to take part Cultural Hotspot Festival to celebrate the community, creativity and culture of Toronto's neighborhoods. I was so excited to do this window display when I was assigned to decorate a barber shop.When I was setting up for the install, people kept coming into the shop asking if there was a party. But the best experience of this project was seeing how people react when they walk into the shop. Especially Mr. Smooth Simeon, the barber shop owner loved his new window display. He loved it so much that he asked me to take a photo of him in it. His other friends came in the shop and they all wanted to take photos together. It made me happy to see all of them taking selfies. At some pointed they blasted hip hop, shouting and dancing under the tropical juggle (cray cray) !

Once again, I have to personally thank Kalpna Patel for giving me this awesome gig. She is one of the most inspiring and talented artists that I've met and its been a pleasure to be working with her on other projects.   For more information about Cultural Hotspot please check out their website at: http://www.culturalhotspot.ca

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PART 1 : My Paradise Lately some of my friends have been traveling all over the world, seeing photos of tropical plants inspired me to create my own paradise. In the last two weeks I've been really busy trying to set up for my up-coming window installation that will be display on August 16th for Cultural Hotspot festival. Here is some of the work in progress shots of the things I've made for this artificial jungle. Everything you see here is all handcrafted with tissue paper, streamers, tape, strings, staples and glue.  

I want to personally thank my little sister for giving me an extra hand on some of the flowers you see in display. We spent many hours just cutting and folding together. It was really helpful to have her by my side, and I can't wait to reveal the display on site.

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COUPE DE COEUR : KELLY K. (super badass, villain, babe haircut)

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COUPE DE COEUR

I’ve recently started a art fundraiser that involves with awesome $5 haircuts. These donations goes back to art events that I want to host, a place where I can bring all kinds of interesting people to meet and greet but also a chance to be creative and inspired by others. Having that said I start raising money for my next event : TIE DYE PARTY. I’ve been very lucky to have so many people to support me and today my dearest friend came through.

This is probably the badass undercut that I ever gave to anyone. I was so excited and honoured to be asked by my good friend. Kelly K. is one of the coolest comic artist I know and she’s the most hilarious person who actually thinks I’m funny. Here is the processes of Kelly’s super badass, villain, goth babe haircut !

In the next couple weeks I will have an official announcement and an official website of all the haircuts that I’ve been doing. I’m pretty excited to share this to everyone because it’s amazing how many people want to contribute to COUPE DE COEUR. I can’t wait to host all these art events and share all the magic that I can create for Toronto.

If you’re interested to get a cool haircut with me and you want to support my art parties, please contact me at [email protected]

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Mask Party art show at 26:  Part 2  The show was a success! Throughout the show there was a consistent flow of people coming to see our masks. Micheal and Nicole did a beautiful installment of all the masks around the walls. The way it was layout had a nice flow and some surprises in between them. When I look at the masks, it looks like everyone had a lot of fun making it. Each masks all have it’s own personality and distinctive style.  One of my highlights of the show was getting to meet new people. It was such a pleasure to talk about everyone’s masks and about the artists that I invited. People were so kind and supportive when they came in. When my friends and family arrived, my heart just melted. I felt like the magic was still all there from that night we celebrated at the park. Drinking pink lemonade and snaking on chips together, sharing art together like we did at the party. I want to thank everyone for coming to support the show, and for every person who submitted their masks to be part of the show.  If you are interested to know more about the show check out 26 facebook event page. This show will be on for month every Saturday from 2 -6 (they also do private bookings ).  COME THROUGH! 

For more photos of the show you can visit on my flickr page 

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Mask Party art show at 26 : Part 1  In a lovely neighborhood near Little Portugal area, Michael Davidson and Nicole Collins opens their home to share and support mostly local artists, musicians, filmmakers, writers and etc. I was very lucky to be part of their one year project called 26. In the last couple months, we've talked about this art show that I curated together. Just about a week ago I was in their living space watching Micheal and Nicole setting up the Mask Party show. It's been such an honor to be working so closely with amazing people, great mentors and inspiring artists.

When I first heard about their project, I was so intrigued by all the things they were showing. I didn't realized it was within their home until they invited me over for coffee to discuss about my prospect of the Mask Party show. I am a firm believer in sharing, and being involve with 26 has really given me the opportunity to gather everyone together. I felt it was important that I could include other local artists to support the community but also be aware of what Michael and Nicole is doing for our city. It's very rare to hear people opening their doors and welcoming everyone to share their interests and have an intimate conversation about everything. We can learn so much from sharing and learning from one and other. It's a beautiful project that I am proud to be part of and I hope that one day I could do the same to inspire others like they have for me and to my many others.  Follow 26:  Tumblr Facebook 

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MASK PARTY: Celebration of Life On May 31 I invited some of Toronto’s finest to create a mask follow by a lovely gathering that I hosted for our upcoming art show that will be on display this coming weekend on Saturday June 7th at 26. It was one of the biggest and successful gathering that I’ve ever organized. I’m so happy the turn out was amazing and everyone really felt the magic that night with me. There was so many complications that got in the way planning this Mask Party. I originally planed to host a rooftop party however the management office decided to cancel my party due to stupid reasons. I was so devastated when they told me to cancel my party. After months of planning all my hard work was going to shit. When I announced the sad news, everyone was so supportive and encouraged me to follow through with the party. I got home that same day and my mother invited me over to have dinner with her. She was so sweet to me because she knew how disappointed I was about the party. My mother had always been a great hostess, she was always the one who brought all our families together whenever we had gatherings. That night we talked and I remember she said to me “you have to take life where it takes you, make the best with what you have…”. I realize she was right, I shouldn’t give up so quickly! I decided to move the party to the park near where I live. I didn’t know what to expect since I’ve change the location at the very last minute. But I wanted to invite anyone to come and just have a wonderful time together.

I got to the park at around 6 pm and it was still bright outside, there were so many kids running around at the playground. By the golden hour everything was perfect, all my guests was slowly making there way to the park. People came with their mask on and surprising me with warm hugs and kisses. I couldn’t be more grateful to see all my friends together. Everyone was admiring each others masks, taking photos, and laughing together. Suddenly we were the kids in the park running around and chasing each other with our masks on. By the end of the night, I brought out sparklers for all of us to share. We lit all the sparklers together at the same time and a beautiful luminescent glow surrounded us. It felt so magical and nostalgic; like I was time traveling. I look over to my left and I see friends that I made 10 years ago and to my right friends I made in the last couple years. It felt like I was celebrating my birthday; my life. Some unexpected guests showed up to the party as well! It was really nice to know that I was bringing people together. I realize this event wasn’t just for artists who created these masks but for everyone who wanted to take part of this special and inspiring evening. My mother asked me the other day why I was hosting this event. I told her that it was about celebrating life. She looked at me and smiled like a proud mother. In the last 25 years of my life, I’ve had many great sufferings raised by strong but ill parents. For so long I’ve always felt like my family lived in a life with an expiry date. Until recently I realized that I need to just be grateful with what I have now and appreciate these moments that I can share with people who I love so much. I was speaking to a friend yesterday and she mention this quote she knew “vitam vive, ama vitam” (live life, and love life) those are exactly the words that I live by. My parents has been the biggest supporters of my life and has always put their best interests in my passions. I feel very privileged to be raised by a loving family and being surrounded by amazing people all my life. I spend most of my nights wondering what is my purpose in life is. I think about what really makes me happy. I concluded that I love bring people together and the Mask Party was my gift to everyone who wanted to feel inspired and experience something beautiful. It was my way to thank all my friends for being here in my life. I want to thank you  again for everyone for being so supportive and amazing. The true magic really lies within us, spreading the magic and being together made it all magical. It was truly inspiring and a  memorable experience that I will always cherish so closely to my heart. 

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

For more pictures you can see my recent post on my flickr account and my instagram (#MaskOnTO)

I will be there on June 7th alongside with some amazing artists at the opening. If you can't make it this weekend, not to worry because it will be there for a month! 

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MASK PARTY: Celebration of Life In the beginning of the year, my best friends and I had decided to make masks for our New Years Party. Everyone loved it when we arrived to the party, I was so happy to see my friends having fun with our masks on. Couple months later I was contacted by a gallery that expressed their interests in showing our masks. I felt so flattered because I genuinely make things just for fun. Nevertheless I am happy and honored to announce to be invited to curate a art show, showcasing some of my favorite local artists that has inspired and admired for a long time. In addition to the art show, this weekend will be a special day for me. I will be hosting a private Mask Party to celebrate all the people who's given me so much love and support in my life. Here are just some of the artists that will be participating in the art show :  Tessar Lo  Nimit Malavia  Maria Nguyen  Jenn Liv Alexei Vella  Kelly Kwang  Megan Ellen M  Keita Morimoto Nancy Zhang  Justine Wong Peter Chan  Jon Todd  Shea Chang  Ness Lee  (and many more...) If you are in town please come and support to see all the unique masks that are all handmade by Toronto's inspiring artists. The gallery will be open every Saturday from 2-6pm displaying our masks for a month. Most of the artists will be there on June 7th, so come and say hello :)  Saturday June 7, 2014 26  26 Mackenzie Crescent Toronto, Ontario  M6J 1T1

I want to personally thanks Nicole and Micheal for providing a space for all of us to share our masks to the public. I can't thank you guys enough for always been a great friend and a mentors. I also want to thank all my closest friends for never giving up on me, I really appreciate our friendship. Last and most importantly, I want to thank my family for given me so much love and support since I knew I wanted art to be part of my life. Without you all, I wouldn't be who I am today - so thank you, thank you ♥

I hope to see you soon with your mask on and dance till moonlight together !

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Post TCAF Drink and Draw hang out: DOODLES OODLES This year I was really sad to miss TCAF, so I hosted a drink and draw event to invite all my friends and some artists that participated the event. The turn out was great, I got to meet some new people and catch up with some friends that I haven't seen in so long. I hope to host another drink and draw hang out sometime next month, and maybe hopefully by then we all sit at the park and draw instead :) 

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Special Commission: Meow Doughnut Wreath  Paper, Tissue Paper, Piper Cleaners 2014 

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Special Commission: Mothers Day Heart Flowers Backdrop  Tissue Paper 2014

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Kol Kid's Surprise Spring Window Display 2014  Recently, Kol Kid discover these beautiful handmade kite's by a small company in Brooklyn called Haptic Lab . I was instantly drawn by theses amazing boat kites and I knew I wanted to display them in the window. It reminded me of the ship from Peter Pan. Coincidentally I had made these tissue paper clouds from last year Valentines window display. I thought it be magical to recreate that scene from Peter Pan when the ship flew in the sky to Neverland. To keep it refreshing we add a punch of colour by painting the entire walls and platform in yellow. I'm hoping by Summer window I can add some more bright colours to keep it bright and whimsical. 

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Gift Exchange  A while back I had made these massive paper flowers for Kol Kid's Spring window. The store owner decided to do another window display just to keep it fresh. The original plan was to have them in store to sell some of them but I decided to do something special with them. Lately I've been getting a lot of great support through social media and I thought it be nice do a gift exchange with my flowers. Within less than 3 hours I was able to sold all my flowers with the exchange of art supplies! I had so much fun communicating people through social media and I realize how lucky I am to have so many great support from this city.  I want to thank everyone again who participated the exchange, I really appreciate the support. Just a simple pack of tissue papers and glue can take me a long way. But more importantly it encourages me to keep on making <3