17-08-21
The Elevator Card is a magic effect in which a playing card can return to the top of the deck
after being placed elsewhere in the middle of the deck. ‘Talent’ is the Elevator Card of everyone and according to Prudence Mak (麥雅端), the creator of the well-known cartoon Chocolate Rain, there is a way to bring your Elevator Card back to the top.
Prudence has been in the creative industry of Hong Kong since 1999. She made a successful fictional character known as Chocolate Rain, a girl who lives inside her imagination and faces all kinds of fascinating discoveries, adventures and challenges. Like Prudence herself, Chocolate Rain’s dauntless optimism turns a life happier and meaningful.
Prudence is tall, sporty, smiling and throwing no tantrum, happily married to an Italian husband. She said, “I was from a poor family and the livelihood came from cleaning service for others. We lived in the kind of favelas and barrios in Stanley which used to be a fishing village. By using a sewing machine, my aunt and mum taught me how to turn abandoned clothes into toys and goodies. I then discovered I might have an artistic talent and wanted to pursue art. Quite contrary to his objection, my heart-warming father gave me a big sum of money to study art in Alberta, Canada. He said, ‘My girl! Believe in yourself!’ This is why I got a Fine Art degree and after that, returned to Hong Kong in 1999”. I asked, “Why were you motivated?” She laughed, “Believe in myself! All talents must do. Art careers may have narrow employability and one can easily become an art teacher. Artists are not treated properly in Hong Kong as people believe we do not contribute to the economic developments in society.”
Few things in the world are more powerful than a positive push and tough time is such a push. Prudence agreed, “I often made a decision which implied unkind hardships. Life is a daring adventure and success is for those talents who dare to face and overcome challenges instead of dodging them. I set up my first shop of selling Chocolate Rain products in an unimpressive shopping arcade in Tsim Sha Tsui and it was smaller than 100 sq ft. I worked, ate and slept there alone. I took shower in gym and public toilet. Such a life continued for 3 years. There emerged a new nightlife area called Soho on Hong Kong Island and a bigger shop was available. There were a lot of foreign visitors in Soho. I always believe that we should take chances and make mistakes. That is how we grow. So, I began my new life in 2004 with a shop which did attract international customers from France, Spain and Great Britain.” I asked, “You made decisions based on strong personal beliefs?” Prudence lifted her eyes, “The weather and future about which one can never be sure. We don’t know an answer but I believe in an answer.”
I looked up too, “What was your next belief?” She blinked, “I felt my creativity and imagination dried up after a few years and at the point, I was offered a master’s degree scholarship in Central Saint Martins, the renowned art college in London. I believed I should improve myself for my longer career. I was confident enough to swallow the opportunity before I could chew the implications.” I smiled, “Did you enjoy going back to school?” She laughed again, “Extremely. People who do a creative job have to find time to be alone to recharge their batteries. I spent many hours a day in the university library, burying myself in research, thoughts and throwback memories.”
She carried on with her story, “I returned to Hong Kong after graduation. In 2014, I believed I was good enough to open a big big shop with a restaurant in the cultural and creative centre of PMQ in Central. It used to be police married quarters. That ended up a big mistake.”
I asked why. Prudence said, “Art was one thing and art business was another. Management, marketing and strategic plannings were all too important.” I followed up, “What was on your mind?” She had a sense of humour, “I believed I could get back on my feet despite the failure provided that I could learn from my mistakes!” I said, “You are strong and you can always level up very fast.”
Prudence was sincere, “I am still learning. I believe I can be better if I manage to transform my present room with a fresh coat of paint. I now write and publish for Cosmos Books. I switch back to fine art painting, drawing, watercolour or acrylic. I exercise tougher discipline on myself and paint about 5 hours a day. I believe that art is worth enjoying and one day will help me create the wanted fact. Determination over negativity is a belief on that I insist too.”
More than 40 years ago, a little girl stood in the fishing village of Stanley on a starry night and prayed that the magic of dreams would shape her future. She did not settle for less and now she is a celebrated designer in Hong Kong. She is no less than the stars. Nobody can get to her last luck. But, I know Prudence is fighting in hopes of catching success once and for all, and this time ultimately as a serious artist. She said, “Success recognizes no non-believer!”
This article can also be found at the following sites:
