On one of Chelsia Ng’s trips back to her native Penang, she came across some illustrations of birds at her mother’s desk.
“They were of Malaysian birds, to be precise,” recalls the 33-year-old singer-actress. “I fell in love with them right away.”
So inspired was Ng by one of the drawings, she penned a poem titled Bright Purple Feather.
After much encouragement from family and close friends, Ng and her mother Rose Oon, 62, decided to publish their own poetry colouring book.
Besides acting, Ng is well-known as a singer. Photo: Filepic
Launched last month, Color My Wings features a selection of Ng’s favourite quotes and poems.
“The poems are a mix of newly written works and old ones which were eventually set to music in my first album,” explains Ng, whose debut album Here With You was released in 2013.
“Illustrations in the book are of various Malaysian birds, from our common sparrow to the endangered barred eagle-owl and even the mythical Jentayu,” adds Oon.
“My mum is an illustrator and an artist, a title she only recently took on after 40 years of working a 9-to-5 job,” muses Ng. “She is finally living her dream of pursing a career in art and she is proof that it is never too late to go for your dreams.”
According to Ng, Oon draws on bags, shoes and pretty much any blank canvas she can get her hands on. Oon has recently started taking custom orders to paint on designer handbags and briefcases.
“Through this book, we hope to inspire others to reach for their dreams and take flight,” enthuses Ng.
Priced at RM25, Color My Wings is available at all Borders bookstores and Gerak Budaya Bookshop in Penang. It can also be purchased online from http://ift.tt/1Xg6tFb.
“There are definitely plans for a second book! Mum and I will be having meet and greets at Borders’ stores in Kuala Lumpur and Penang next month,” says Ng.
Illustrations in the book are of various Malaysian birds.
Ng, who made her showbiz debut in English language sitcom Kopitiam, has acted in movies Papadom, Papadom 2 and Setem. She will be seen in telemovie Rongples Rongtaim and Hai Ki Xin Lor; the latter is a Hokkien stage play-turned-feature film directed by Saw Teong Hin and lensed by renowned cinematographer Christopher Doyle.
Ng and her mother Rose Oon with their poetry colouring book Color My Wings. Photos: Chelsia Ng
Up next for Ng is Music Festival 2016, which also sees standalone performances by Bihzhu, Janet Lee and Elvira Arul. Ng’s performance, Throwback Thursday With Chelsia And Her Superheroes, is on May 26 at The Gardens Theatre in The Gardens Mall, Kuala Lumpur.
“I will be singing songs from the past, hence the throwback theme. These are songs that remain evergreen through the years; expect some Madonna, Michael Jackson, EMF, Earth, Wind and Fire, The Beatles and Abba!
“I will be backed by some pretty awesome musicians led by Sharon Chong. To me, musicians are superheroes. I can only aspire to be like them one day,” concludes Ng, who is learning guitar and plays the ukulele.
Tickets are priced at RM85 (including canapes and one complimentary drink). For bookings, visit http://ift.tt/1bNLODv.
