We got this book about Hong Kong at the Dog Eared Bookstore in the Mission District. I’ve only read a few pages since Sunny took it and was constantly reading it. I did read enough to know about the King of Kowloon. The wild old man that drew “sloppy” calligraphy graffiti all around Hong Kong. His calligraphy was far from what calligraphers would call “good” but had such a unique personality to it. And his story and claim of being the rightful king of HK made his work now of high value. It intrigued me but I hadn’t gotten far enough in the book to know how I feel about his art. 

But these 2 things have stuck in my head for a few weeks. I felt like there’s something there for me. Maybe I can take some classes and learn traditional techniques from some Chinese teacher? Maybe I could do something with modern subjects? Combine it with modern techniques? Mix it with watercolor or maybe just learn watercolor? These all were the spiraling thoughts I had constantly in the back of my head. But nothing really made sense as an exploration or direction that clicked for me. 

With nothing concluded, I flew to my childhood friend Shion’s wedding. I brought the Hong Kong book with me and I tried reading it when I flew. Something clicked for me. Everything started getting pieced together.