Edmund Chen Zhi Cai - Mum-Mum's The Word

Today, Mummum has the pleasure of speaking with Actor, Author and Artist Edmund Chen Zhi Cai.

Yes, on top of his Acting chops as an international Artiste (with a 25-year span career comprising 90 television appearances, 15 international and local movies and 4 solo music albums), this celebrity heartthrob and Auntie Killer has many other aces up his sleeve.

As Artist, Edmund set the Guinness World Record for the Longest Drawing by an Individual of over 601m in 2013 when he spent 13 days filling up the canvass with drawing and colours. Several attempts were made by others since 2005 but Edmund is the only one to have succeeded by far.

As Author, Edmund has recently been voted by readers of the National Critics Choice as the Best New Children’s Author of the Year in South East Asia. He was also appointed the READ Singapore Bridges Ambassador on top of also being Singpost’s Stamp Ambassador.

I shan’t go into his other roles as Producer (where his feature film Echoing Love won the Silver Screen Special Achievement Award after its exclusive premiere at the 24th Singapore International Film Festival in September 2011) and Social-Entrepreneur (through endorsements and ambassadorships with selected organisations like the Red Cross Society and National Environment Agency etc in advocating and advancing social goals) otherwise this interview will never begin!

I had the privilege of meeting Edmund when he launched his 8th children’s book Rainbow Island at the Asian Festival of Children’s Content last year and was inspired by what brought about his venture into the world of writing for children. So, I simply had to catch up with him again for this Conversation:

1. Was there ever a moment in childhood where you aspired to write and illustrate children’s books?

Edmund: When I was a boy, both my parents had to work and I was sent to live with my maternal grandmother. Back then, we did not have the modern luxuries we take for granted now. And when grown-ups had to work, the little ones had to entertain themselves. I was given a simple box of colour pencils which was my first encounter with art. I started to draw anything I saw.

But that one moment in childhood where I aspired to illustrate came in Primary 5 when I visited a classmate’s house and saw his beautiful aquarium. That aquarium was like a glittering ocean, full of promises and adventures. Mesmerised, I urged my parents to buy me one but we did not have that sort of money to spare. Undaunted, I decided to have my own aquarium – on paper!

For two whole weeks, I faithfully visited my friend’s house every day after school, staring at the fishes and memorising each and every single detail. I would then run home and transfer everything I remembered onto paper. Finally, I had my own aquarium in my own living room!

2. You come from a high-profile television and entertainment industry. Tell us what got you into the world of children’s books.

Edmund: I still kept my love of drawing animals over the years. Each animal I drew would start out with a little more than a pencil outline, after which I would spend immense amount of time detailing them with colours and textures. I would also pay attention to the special characteristics and traits of each animal. I wanted to capture their temperaments on paper.

Years later, I learnt from being a father that this was the best way to allow my children to connect with animals as they saw how much time and love I had dedicated to the “creation” of each animal.

One occasion, I showed a friend my drawings of a series of 10 endangered animals. Impressed, she introduced me to a friend who works at Singapore Post and that started my journey of writing and illustrating children’s books.

Latest title Rainbow Island was launched at AFCC 2013

3. You have been a prolific writer and your books have done very well. How long did it take you to write your first book?

Edmund: 1 week for the first book…then it started taking longer and longer to write the next one. My latest and 9th title is still in progess, and I have been jammed up by it for 6 months and counting.

Where did you get your inspiration for that book?

Edmund: From everywhere – children, parents, news, TV and real life.

4. How much have you involved your children in your writing and drawing journey?

Edmund’s daughter’s Otter drawing

Edmund: My daughter Yi Xin, 13 years old, drew otters for one of the stamps and my son Yi Xi, now 23 years old, drew a panda stamp. We have used drawing as one of our bonding platforms, and my children are both my consultants as well as story contributors.

Edmund’s son’s Panda drawing

5. What did your family think about you initially venturing out as an author and illustrator?

Edmund: Probably insanity! They must have thought that I had nothing better to do. 🙂

6. I simply have to ask this last question. How do you manage to stay so youthful? What’s your secret?

Edmund: By being a child at heart. 🙂

 

Caleb aces it with his Aunty Killer smile (at 6 months old)

Mummum: Edmund, congratulations on all your many achievements and thanks for sharing with us all the amazing things you have been doing in the world of children’s books and beyond. It’s a blessing to be able to involve your children in what you are doing and I can’t wait to hear about what other aces you pull out from your many creative hats!

Related Posts:

My Little Slice of One Big Story at Asia’s Biggest Book Festival

Conversations on the High Chair #5- Kenneth Quek, Affable Architect of Children’s Content

Conversations on the High Chair #3-Patrick Yee illustrates…100 times over

 

 

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