The story began six years ago when the experienced animation artist Henry Lee (
The result, after several days of painting, was two innovative, hand-painted kittens on the pebbles.
Much to Lee's surprise, the simple gesture of goodwill made his cat-loving friend burst into tears. It was one of the most memorable moments of his life, Lee said.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF HENRY DESIGN AND ASSOCIATES
That experience kick-started a career-change, from being a well-paid animation art director to a stone-painting artist. Lee had fallen in love with his creations and delved ever further into the world of stone-painting.
Three years later, Lee set up a Mediterranean-style studio-cum-gift store in the misty hilltop community of Jioufen (九份). Cloistering himself at a spot overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Lee has perfected the artistic innovations which are now called "Henry's hand-painted stone cats."
"The reason why I choose stones as the raw material for my art is the unique texture of the earthly creations burnished after tens of thousands of years. They are nature's most refined works. And my job is to feel and bring out the life of this natural work of art," Lee said.
Lee's love for nature was sparked during his upbringing in a village in southern Taiwan. Seemingly out of place in the fast-paced urban scene, the soft-speaking artist stumbled across Taiwan's biggest animation film studio, Wang Film Production (
Having made a name for himself in the making of several Disney animations, including Aladdin and The Little Mermaid, Lee established his own production house in 1995 to begin long-term cooperative ventures with numerous international animation studios in Denmark and Germany. He also took on the role of chief art director for Taiwanese feature animation Grandma and Her Ghosts (
Lee has found a refuge away from the harsh reality of the animation world.
"By bringing out the childlike innocence incarnated in the forms of animals, I want to create a world without wars and violence. I want to send out the message that we all have to cherish life and each other in order to live in peace, in a global village," Lee said with a bashful smile, as if knowing all too well that his simple take on the real world can only exist in fairytales.
A set of cat art-stones may sound like a collection suitable for grannies only, but a closer look at these feline creatures will soften the most hard-core cynic's heart. Each cat has a whimsical human personality and is produced with such great attention to detail that the lines and fur of the artistic creations look just like the real thing.
These one-of-a-kind art-stones take a long time to produce. Lee used to spend an entire day looking for a so-called "jade stone" (
Lee insists that each stroke of the paint brush has to be the natural extension of the lines and patterns on the unembellished pebbles. One stone cat can take up to three or five days to complete.
"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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