Round and Round

It really is a coincident that my first round numbered painting, is actually a round one! The tenth hippo-painting of my collection, is made by a young artist called Anuchit Klinkulab,  but he is better known by his nickname: "A". He is a very good friend of Mr. Pon's nephew (see post: Hippo Pon) and Mr. Monchai Kosolpradit (see post: The Ninth). A does not own a shop at the Chatuchak Weekend Market (or JJ Market), but he can use one of the side walls of one of the buildings at the art section, to exhibit his work. Some time ago, a friend of his gave him some round frames for free. He already made some portraits. I thought it would be nice to have a round hippo-painting. I told him he could paint whatever he felt like. The result? A very cool looking pop-art-hippo-painting. A is a very kind, young and talented painter, I do hope he will become famous one day!

 Anuchit Klinkulab

Sheila

You might be surprised, but “Hippo-Heaven” does exist. It tends to change its location every year, but most of the time you can find it in the USA. This year, it could be found in Denver, Colorado. From 14^th till 16^th of September 2012, the International Hippopotamus Convention took place. Every year, this event changes an ordinary place into a small heaven for hippo-lovers. A place where you can wear a hippo-t-shirt while carrying a hippo-bag with a plush hippo sticking its head out, and get admiring smiles, instead of the “you-are-weird” look… now how great is that? I brought home so many fond memories and lovely presents. This little angel was a gift from a new friend. My daughters do not like hippos, but it became their most favorite of my collection, instantly. I am sure it does not mind, being named after a human angel :-). Dear Sheila, thank you so much for all those gifts and your friendship. I can’t wait to meet you in Hippo-Heaven again, next year!

      

Elly & Bee

Sometimes, I feel a bit guilty because collecting hippos is not a very environmentally friendly hobby. Some of my hippos have carbon footprints as huge as.... well, hippos! I have been thinking about a hippo museum, but I think it would make more sense to plant a huge hippo-forest, to compensate for all that carbon. I had to think about that, when my friend gave me these hippos. They are handmade in Kenya. She bought them on-line from a store in South-Korea, and then brought them from there to Thailand. Who knows where they will end up eventually. These fellows have already been travelling half way around the globe!! To name them: Carbon and Footprint, would be stretching things, but it crossed my mind. These two are called Elly and Bee ("B" for her last name). Thank you Elly, for thinking about me and bringing them all the way from your home town..... will not forget you anymore! And when that hippo-forest will be planted, I will make sure some trees will be named after you too!!

Turkish Delight

This lovely pair is also a "first". Not the first of my collection, but the first hippo-present from my then boyfriend, now husband. Before our relationship became "official", he already had booked a trip to Alanya (Turkey) with some friends. Only for a week, but of course at that time, it felt like an eternity. When he came back, he brought this hippo mum with baby for me. I do not think he could have imagined the number of hippos, hippo-paintings and hippo-stuff that would follow... poor guy :-). So this "first" is very special to me. Not very yummy, but certainly as sweet as Turkish Delight!