Skip to main content

Little Journey: PBAKL 2024

More than a week ago, I went to Pesta Buku Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur 2024. Or in English, Kuala Lumpur International Book Festival 2024.

I can't remember if this the first or second. Since I did involved in art related book publishing thing in 2016.




My contribution for the book for an art platform, collaboration with another group of artists of overseas, published by Kata-Pilar.

"In This Rebel", became my first black and white drawing. Which at this time at this point, I started to do figurative. Yes, it got eyes, it got looks. Somehow to symbolise it as human. Little that I know, almost 10 years later, I'm in the field of writing-reading and books... Strange still, to me, because I just wanted to be an in-out gallery artist, but, not my rezeki or my destiny I guess..

So, it was early morning of Saturday, first day of June. I got some breads and packed drinks. As advised by friends.


Parents dropped me off. Since it was so crowded already at not yet 10am..?? Crazy. But it make sense since it was the ninth day of the fest. The fest only for 10 days.




I didn't snap many on the way to upper levels, which I was lost for couple of minutes on the way up. 2 set of escalator, with going up and down. Already there but brain fog a bit, I went to the other, then realised, both just same.. I went to level 3 at first, didn't see any booths that I'm looking for. And straight to the next level. First booth was Tokosue x Rocky Press. Own by Kak Sue, who I know since early last year. Unfortunately, I'm a bit shaking, and just hello and hi and straight to talk and so on, I forgot to take some photos with them and Tokosue booth itself..

After few minutes, I decided to look for a friend, only to met with her husband. At IBDE booth. And congrats him, to both of them. And straight to, yes, FIXI. It was already packeddd

I got main reason to be there, or needed to. It was because I'm the artist for the ASRAMA Trilogy box set and for the 3 covers, first pic. Just arrived, and just main target first thing first at FIXI was the banner walls. Where they printed the ASRAMA Trilogy covers, my artworks.. It was.. Unbelievable to me still, like I'm still processing things on all of this commission things.. Since last year's.. So, I was so hyped to see my girls, which based on my Dark Figurative sketch work up on FIXI's banner. At THE PBAKL?! It's really cool..

And my little go-around that day started, from morning to the night, which my plan was near 10pm something. But I ended up staying until all booths closed.


The whole day I just walked booth to booth. But ones that I have my things to look forward to. Such as meet authors that I did work together for their book's covers. While doing so with the schedule, me? I had 3 pastries and 2 packed drinks. And snap some photos of whatever I can. Here one of them, a poetry book by someone I know and respect for her in the field.



Saw the ASRAMA Trilogy box at one of all booths. Surprised me, the guy said many people asking about the artworks.. I feel so happy, still is. Maybe forever..




Saw the ASRAMA Trilogy at the rack.



Most of my time was walking around. 

Check on some books. And true is, books is expensive. Some price just half RM 100.. But I think I can understand why..

My time I spent that day was the best. Not only the hype about the fest. But the people. The people's energy, the vibe, and people I can call my circle. I'm honoured and grateful for opportunities given. And when the fest about to close for the day, I got inspired for new series, for my detailed illustrations - for big size.

It was a long time ago I got inspired. Like, even though I did went out for events within this year, but maybe because I just enjoyed the moment for the time being, since my decision last year.. What a journey, I think and tell myself.. A bit strange. But the PBAKL 2024 was, the best day. Finally met people that I had known since 2021 and new. I hope to catch up with another in the future. The night gave me a feeling that I couldn't describe.. It feels warm, like that.. still is. And I think I need to make my new name card... ? Yea, sure is.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Book: Overthinking Tapi Buat-buat OK By Aqila Masri

I finally finished reading "Overthinking Tapi Buat-buat OK" by Aqila Masri (Overthinking But Acted OK) , published by IMAN Publication, last October. And let's see what my thoughts on this one. First of all, my view is just as from an artist, crafter and blogger, and as a reader... When this book published, to be honest I got caught by the title. I didn't plan on to get it like seriously, because I have this feeling to put aside what I can relate to the title. The word - "overthinking"... But as time past, I started to have the image of this book in mind, and it's repeating. So I feel it and said, "I need to have it" with wondering what the topics will be within. It was more like a calling from the book I could say. And early last month - September - I got it. First of all, the cover illustration - pretty. I love how the choice of the style from the artist. The work is beautiful. And give the visual to what's the book about. At the same tim...
2 comments
Read more

Book: Mereka By Ariff Adly

After done with UNBOX, I decided to continue with MEREKA by same author. And I like more when come to it's cover artwork. Which a digital art. Bestselling too, MEREKA actually very unexpected for me and for most, it has something much darker compared to 2 other before. I read this on 3rd week of July. As usual, before I put my thoughts on this, I'm a visual artist-illustrator, crafter, a blogger, and all just my thoughts as a reader.. So.. Excuse my broken English or whatever I'm trying to put in words in here... MEREKA as in English, "them", in my view from the story plot, it should be "them". This one open not too slow and not too fast. The opening just as in reality of real life friendship, joking around, and life talking but with creepy things going on as usual, Ariff Adly... At first, this one makes me feel like this will be in reality without confusion and straightforward like that... I was wrong... In fact it somehow, put me in a place where I hav...
Post a Comment
Read more

Some Thoughts: November

It's strange sometimes how I feel like time flies so fast specially at near end of the year. Now, already November. Interesting, isn't it? Writing this at midnight past 2am. Yes, I'm already sleepy but just feel like to blog out something I guess. I just done with my 2 days booth, which I'm selling my handmade accessories and jewellery - handcrafted by me, each one of them. And alhamdulillah this time was the best one. And I got home by Saturday night, and Sunday where whole body aches.. Still not getting used to it? I don't know but more to my body health conditions I think.. Currently, while booth or which I called "boothing" become my main focus, I too, still, reading books that I got for myself and current reading - "When You Think You're Falling: Holding On To God's Mercy To Keep Going" by Ameera Aslam, a Singaporean born author. And also, I started back with gardening few days ago, after long time... Well... Raining still the season...
Post a Comment
Read more