Ella (36) & Her 21-At-Heart Fervour
I’d been a long-time follower of Ella’s social networks before actually meeting her one fateful day this February (where I was coincidentally carrying a tote I purchased from her print studio many years prior) and needless to say, it felt bizarre at that time to be entrusting her with retail management at the SOJAO Home Goods Store. I perhaps welcomed the adjustment phase of our working relationship more than she did. Three months on, I’m enamoured of her creativity, her unrivalled enthusiasm and her guileless warmth.
At Knuckles & Notch prepping zines for the Singapore Art Book Fair.
A few weeks ago, we spent an afternoon together at Chinatown visiting every bead shop in People’s Park Centre (the owners greet her like old friends), before adjourning to Knuckles & Notch where we eagerly prepped zines for the Singapore Art Book Fair. All this while she let us in on her creative journey and tips on how to keep going.
T/W: Flashing lights (animated GIF mid-article)
“I have many interests and hence play many different roles!”
Ella’s workspace at her home studio.
“I am firstly an illustrator at The Workbench, a graphic design studio run by my husband, Ryan and myself. The studio’s 8th year anniversary is just around the corner. I enjoy digital illustration a lot. Words like ‘quirky’, ‘psychedelic’ and ‘colourful’ have been used to describe my art over the years. Seeing others’ interpretations of my work has got to be my greatest joy.”
Beading as therapy.
“I also create elaborate beaded jewellery pieces over at Trigger Happy. It’s a slow business born out of the Covid-19 circuit breaker. Insomnia and anxiety from all the changes kept me from sleep and I needed a distraction that eventually turned into a brand – stringing happiness into intricate works one bead at a time.”
The SOJAO Home Goods Store with its gorgeous skylight.
“Most recently, I became the retail lead at SOJAO, a role I enjoy very much as I like meeting new people, listening to them share and ensuring they go home to a lifetime of good rest with our very soft, comfy and hypoallergenic 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton bed linens (A/N: we don’t say this just because it’s our place of work, if you’ve felt our sheets you’d know).”
“I hold 2 Bachelor’s Degrees; one in Fashion Design and the other in Graphic Design. Although I am no longer practising fashion, my knowledge of fashion history and textiles has continued to play a big role in a lot that I do. Understanding materials and silhouettes mean I’m informed when creating new fabric products.”
Past works: Asian Architecture (left) and Gazes (right).
“Graphic design felt natural from the get go. People often mistake it for a magical click of the mouse or typing out a poster. It is in fact problem-solving with visual graphics, a wonderful way to nurture one’s ability to think out of the box and troubleshoot using unconventional ways. It’s a life hack!”
“Knowledge is never a waste. You may not use it now but it’ll come in handy in time. Never stop learning and improving.”
A peek into Ella’s home and her handmade ceramics.
“From a very young age, I knew I wanted to be an artist. I couldn’t convince my mother that it was a viable career path but with the blessing of my father, I was able to pursue both fashion and graphic design. When I failed to land a fashion design job (extremely rare when I graduated), I turned to retail and it turned out to be a wonderful experience.”
“I get inspired by observing my surroundings, especially the quirky ways Singaporeans live. The Instagram and Pinterest algorithms get me very accurately so it’s easy to get inspired on them too.”
Hunting for beads that make the cut at People’s Park Centre.
“My favourite artist is Shian, a fellow Singaporean illustrator. The way she details her work never fails to amaze me. Working with her is wonderful too! She also makes the cutest plushies ever at Bunglejym.”
“I hope young creatives will grow to enjoy the creative process, learn as much as they can, take the necessary breaks and keep improving on their processes and skills. If opportunities don’t present themselves, make your own.”
Elaborate Trigger Happy pieces.
“My mindset is very simple. It’s to always give your best, take initiative, be sincere and willing to learn.”
“I’ve learned to deal with everyday fear and doubt in 2 ways. One is to keep my expectations really low so I don’t take disappointment harshly. The other is to remember my strengths and to find ways I can use them to help the situation.”
Past work done for NOISE X GIF Festival
There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.
— Epictetus
“I think we all have different styles and that there is no point envying peers and others’ opportunities. At the end of the day, we all have opportunities, just different ones.”
A shelf of her favourite things (and person) and her houseplants.
“I often listen to horror stories or crime podcasts while working on my illustrations or beading. I’ve been listening to more TedX talks recently too to gain more knowledge and improve myself.”
Ella’s bead collection and typical brunch situation.
“This year I hope to continue improving my skills as a creator and to learn new things each time. Outside of creative work, I hope to be able to relax more!”
“Creativity to me is thinking out of the box.”
