Man Luen Choon art supply store

Situated on the 2nd floor of a nondescript office building on a lane between Des Voeux Road and Connaught Road in Central, is the very opposite of a non-descript store. The Man Luen Choon art supply store . Or Stationers as they describe it .(The photo above shows the sign in the entrance hall of the building which I also had to photograph as the letters and characters are …can I say groovy? In that 1960’s Hong Kong style we love here at Moustache)

The building entrance . The shop is up on the 2nd floor

For some reason, there are very few art supply stores in Hong Kong. I live and work on Hong Kong island and when I need art supplies , I usually have to go over to Prince Edward in Kowloon to the store I usually favour. But all that has changed now with the the recent discovery ( for me) of Man Luen Choon. A family run business that has been around since 1953. They specialise in all the materials needed for traditional Chinese painting. And all the accessories that you need for it as well as instructional books and videos that will have you up and running producing scroll paintings in no time! Even if you do not paint or draw, you will be charmed by the old counters and eclectic display of lovely ceramics as well as the well stocked library of art books. The accessories such as pint pots and pigment mixing bowls have other possible purposes such as jewelry boxes etc and make beautiful gifts and are much cheaper than anything you will find at the  Chinese Arts and Crafts emporiums. The staff are super friendly and helpful and very proud of their special store and are happy to explain and help you with anything you need.

The main counter with the collection of ceramics and bric-a-brac above which has some really lovely objects.

There is not a brush in existence that is not sold here, along with pure pigment colour which is just so pretty.

There is an extensive library of books of both editions of famous Chinese Artists and instruction books of different Chinese painting techniques. There are also videos which will show you how to work with traditional painting mediums like brush and ink and pastel etc.

Along with every kind of paper and blank drawing books. Also you can kind blank scrolls and fold out blank books ( these would make great scrapbooks for the non-painters amongst you !) as well as fans where you can remove the paper fan from the bamboo structure and paint a scene and put it back into the frame to make a very personal and beautiful gift . Just plain without painting on them they are very nice too!

There is also a large range of ceramics such as paint brush holders and ink pots and mixing bowls that you can easily re-purpose for other uses. I have a ink pot that I keep my fitting pins in.

Definitely worth a visit!

Man Luen Choon 2/F Harvest Building, 29-35 Wing Kut Street, Central , Hong Kong Tel. 2544 6965 http://www.manluenchoon.com

Decadence

Our very good friends Edmond Chin & Mark Schrodski had a combination housewarming/Birthday party for Ed  last Saturday. While it was Halloween, they decided to mark the occasion with a red & black themed costume party with the theme of “Decadence”. Here to share some of the costumes from the night including yours truly ! We were having so much fun that we stopped taking pictures early on. But it was a wonderful night!

Alex going for the goth side of Decadence

Our good friend Julie in a beaded 2 piece outfit that was made in Hong Kong…in 1959. Very chic

Ellis in drag

Mark ( host # 1)& Daphne looking suitably naughty !

Ed being devilish

The always elegant Mr. Olivier de Molina

It was very disconcerting to speak with Ellis that night. You never knew where he was looking.