SIBU: Some of you, Christians, may have seen “THEWAYWEMEND” religious articles on sale at Sacred Heart Cathedral Sibu or churches in Kuching, Mukah and Sabah as well as Shopee.
If you are wondering who’s behind them, now wonder no more.
Ding Chong Lu, a 37-year-old Sibu-born watercolour illustrator, made THEWAYWEMEND merchandises that were designed for perpetuating God’s words for generations.
Her products are mainly cards, bookmarks, stickers and tote bags. She also does artworks.
“My customers are mostly Catholics and Christians of other faiths. They are my friends and families.
“In cooperation with the churches, the prices of my product are as low as RM2.50 per piece for big volume printing,” Ding explained.
On her watercolour paintings, she explained, “The prices depend on the size, the difficulty and time I spent.
“For human figures, they are RM60 minimum per A5 size, for stone painting minimum RM150 per stone/character and for calligraphy minimum RM30 per A5 size.
“I take customers’ orders on watercolour paintings, especially cute human figures, calligraphy and stone paintings.
“Most of my products have prayers on them, so they are either purchased for praying purposes, framed as decorations or as gifts.”
Ding said her inspirations came either from personal experiences or were based on true stories.
Her current artworks are inspired by the artists from Instagram such as Sue Rahel, Contemplarte, Amy Domingo Arkitekyuklid and the parables in the Bible.
Ding started working as a full-time watercolour illustrator one month after quitting her full time job as the Coordinator of Mission Pastoral Institute in Malacca-Johor Institute in May last year.
She told New Sarawak Tribune that the name for her mechandises were inspired by “The Way We Mend,” a song by Bebo Norman, a former contemporary Christian musician from Columbus, Georgia, USA.
“I had relationship trouble and my healing process happened through this song. It is also a song of consolation whenever I feel lost,” Ding said.
“One of the pieces I am really proud of is the Mother Mary Malaysian version as I took the courage to begin the drawing journey with zero experience.
The hardest one is the current project which is the cover of Faith educator for Splendors Project,” she added.
Ding said the demands for her merchandises were seasonal.
“It is safe to say that my prayer cards received popular demand only during the month of rosary, the wedding season and Christmas.
“Customers always go for cheaper prices. I try my best to print my drawings in volume but I am not financially stable yet. But through commissioning, I can earn more even though more time is needed,” she said.
“My plan is to become an art educator or to conduct art workshops,” she added.
