"The eyes are the most difficult part," Lee said. "It's essential to have a pair of eyes that convey a vivid expression and spirit."
After years of experimenting with special pigments, Lee found the right formula for lively and crystal-clear cat eyes that requires carefully applying seven layers of paint.
Lee's hard work has paid off. Mentor International Corporation has recognized the commercial viability of Lee's works and established a joint venture with Lee's studio last year.
An experienced trading organization for leading companies in the US over the past 25 years, Mentor International was picked for its knowledge of the branding business. Henry Cats & Friends was officially launched last year.
With technical and marketing support from Mentor, Lee's stone cats have become a series of limited edition collectable items. There is also high quality giftware and accessories ranging from life-sized, cat-shaped pillows and doorstoppers, porcelain magnets and mugs, paper weights, purses, bags, umbrellas, pot holders, mittens and aprons.
Henry Cats & Friends has been doing exceptionally well for a young brand. It has already secured agents in Hong Kong, Japan, Germany, France and the US and orders have been flooding in. It's another example of what is possible when corporate resources and local talent are combined.
Despite the success, life carries on at a sensible pace at Lee's new studio in Sanchung (三重). The complicated procedure of hand-painting stone cats simply doesn't lend itself to mass production. Lee's design team create two to three originals each month, and presents a new series every three months.
To build a brand means strict quality-control.
"If we want to go global, the focus has to be on the quality. It's a trial-and-error process whose end-result is an artistic creation of refined quality. Each item, no matter whether it's for collection or personal use, has to be perfect," Lee said.
Henry Cats & Friends may have begun with a simple story, but it may one day be another well known feline fairytale success.
Meeeow!
Henry House (
Where: 4, Shuqi Rd, Jioufen, Ruifan Township, Taipei County
(
You can also see Henry's cat series at the gift shop of the Taipei Fine Arts Museum (
For more information, visit www.henrycats.com
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