Author: Junko

Not have been inspired these days. I don’t know what to cook. I can’t hear what my body says. Is this so called “writer’s block” kinda phenomenal?

I wasn’t sure how I was going to spend my day off, but somehow I ended up spending time at Granville Island where my favourite public market is. As I was ambling around in the market – still uninspired, I finally bought some freshly made Chestnut & Yam Ravioli from one of the venders. I tucked it into my shopping bag and turned around, then some hand crafted 3D pop up cards got my attention. Many of the cards had Japanese influenced theme, so I looked up to see who was the artist for these beautiful cards. It was an elderly gentleman with beautiful white hair and clear blue sky eyes.

“Are you Japanese?”, “Yes, I am. Where your inspiration coming from? I see Japan in your art.” He replies with his hands on his heart, “It is my wife. She is a second generation Japanese Canadian. She is the reason for my creations.”

I didn’t need any cards, but wanted to buy one from him so bad, which I couldn’t explain why at all, but I HAD TO buy one.

I spent good 10 minutes and finally picked one.

“OK, can I buy this please?”, “It is yours now. Free of charge.”, “NO NO NO”, “YES YES YES! Please take it, it is a gift from my wife for you!”

I just quietly vowed and thanked him with tears flooded in my eyes, wondering why he decided to give it to me. It was so touching but still wasn’t sure how I should take it when I got home. So I opened the card again, looked at it from many different angle, and all at sudden I realized, what he gave me was not just his art, what he really gave me was a muse.

Now I am looking at the light and shadow of the card creates in many different ways. I found an inspiration.