Notebeans Stationery
Art Gallery
the work of madeline liu
Why a virtual art gallery?
Art is a visual representation of how an artist sees the world translated to your own unique experiences. I first learned this through speaking with hundreds of customers at my tabled events.
As you scroll through, join these three friends on their dreamy adventures throughout imagined universes, stories, and emotions captured. My creative mission is to capture the meaningful moments of life that are often not portrayed enough, and to storytell my characters through each of those emotions.
Meet the three characters:
Kato the Cat
A periwinkle cat with a grumpy face. Kato is loving, kind, but takes some time to warm up to you.
Paya the Penguin
A papaya colored albino penguin from the South Pole. Paya is a world champion baker, and is always there as a constant friend to listen to you.
Kuma the Samoyed
A cream colored Samoyed with a big fluffy fur coat. Kuma has a unique red flower birthmark on her forehead, and is always smiling! She can befriend anyone, even bees!
And their three human counterparts...
Kato Character Concept
Kato the cat's human counterpart, Astrid, that meet in another dimension. She's adventurous, rebellious, and seeks self-discovery.
Paya Character Concept
Paya the penguin's human counterpart, Maya. She's soft spoken, intelligent, and emotionally aware.
Kuma Character Concept
Meet Keila, the human counterpart for Kuma. She's quirky, inroverted, and seeks self-acceptance.
CLICK ON Your Theme:
Deep moments:
The only way out is through
a piece all about dealing with hurt emotions. It’s overwhelming, you’ve been hurt, and the emotions are a whillrwind to process. But yet, the only way out is through.
Freezing Time
in the moments when burnout is at it’s worst and you’re dragging your feet getting through your calendar, if only time could just... freeze for you to just breathe for a moment.
Beneath the Surface
a reminder that every situation is not black and white, there is so much more nuance beneath the surface than we can even imagine. The more that we know, the more we probably don’t.
Until Next Time
the fleeting nature of serindipitously meeting the right person at the right time and right place. She picked up the note and wondered whether she’d see them again.
Return to Spark
the feeling of fully releasing the friction between you and what you want. The release of emotions and truly feeling effusively.
Sea of Opportunities
in a new chapter of life, there is an infinite amount of ways things can play out. It’s exciting, daunting, but you’re ready to take it on overall.
Ember Souls
the belief that in every life, we are always destined to meet again.
You are exactly where you need to be
a reminder to focus on your journey and know that you are exactly where you are meant to be. Serindipity is unfolding right in front of you.
You are enough
an affirmation that you don’t need to keep doing more to be enougn, you are truly enough.
Kuma in Moving box
for those who are country hopping, city galloping, and moving between cities throughout their life. A reminder that no matter where you go of what “home” means wherever you are in the world.
Meditating Kato
an inner peace and reminder of introspection and looking within to build your relationship with yourself.
At Your Own Pace
a reminder that life goes on your own rhythm, and you are allowed to take things at a pace that is right for you.
Golden Rain
she looked up at the night sky as the golden rain fell, and suddenly all her worries washed away.
Take a deep breath
a piece about feeling overwhelmed with life decisions, to just take a deep breath, and know someway, somehow, everything will work out.
Whimsical Nature
Dreamdiving
Imagine what being “in flow” feels like, now imagine flying through it.
Dreamline City
inspired by urban cities and sunsets.
Firework breath
Imagine if every July 4th and New Year’s, there was someone breathing the fireworks we see in the night sky.
Butterfly Meadows
Imagine a magical meadow in the Swiss alps where glowing butterflies roam lavender fields.
Kuma in Daisies
when Kuma the Samoyed frolicks in white daisies in the blossoming Springtime.
Golden Gate Park
inspired by a beautiful couple and their cat sitting in Golden Gate Park.
Rise of the Sun Dragon
What if every sunset and sunrise, a dragon painted the colors we see in the sky?
Kuma at Sea
inspired by long drives down Ocean Beach in San Francisco, Kuma floats across the shoreline.
Sparklers
A reminder of the beauty and nostalgia of late summer nights.
Sakura Bridge
the magic of sakura blossoms and hearing the wind carry the petals.
Spring Picnic
Kato, Paya, and Kuma go on a picnic with their pourover setup and tea towel.
Sakura Komorebi
inspired by the stillness of komorebi, or light shining through leaves, through blossoming sakura.
Simple Joys of Life
Good Food Good Life
a good life to me is all about good food, good company, and enjoying the fruits of life together.
Cozy Room
inspired by lockdown during the pandemic and how our rooms became our everything: where we laugh, sleep, cry, and dream.
Kuma at Shinto Shrine
Inspired by the peacefulness of visiting shinto shrines and temples.
City Skyline
the feeling after visiting a walkable city and returning to the hotel to review all your photos after a loooong day :)
Kato Night Light
Working late nights, Kato the Cat studying late at night with a small Paya lamp.
Sunset Walks:
walking late summer nights with friends, getting some cardio while catching up.
Worldbuilding 3 Friends
Astrid
Astrid, Kato’s human self goes on an adventure leaping through the galaxy.
Gamer Girl
Astrid in a cyberpunk city making music.
Fairy Warrior
Astrid in an alternate universe as a fairy warrior defending her clan.
Girl in Leather Jacket
Keila inspired by city fashion sits in the an urban street with Kuma the Samoyed.
Kuma and Snow
Keila and Kuma enjoy the snowy day together
Three Cats
in another universe, what if we were just cats? Kato, Paya, and Kuma wake up as three meowsters.
For the hopeful Romantics
Cupid Kato
Cupid Kato sends you an arrow through your heart.
You and I
inspired by hopeful romance of Korean dramas and the feeling that we’re the main characters of this love story.
Coffee lovers/Foodies
Udon Mugizo
Inspired by the creamy mentaiko udon from Udon Mugizo in downtown Mountain View.
Good Food Good Life
enjoying life in Notebeans Cafe :)
Pourover Paya
a dreamy pourover with Paya the penguin fishing over the carafe.
Capturing Joy
to capture my favorite part of travel, capturing good food and visiting cafes whilst capturing every moment on camera.
Coffee for Three
inspired by specialty coffee mod bar experiences and a top-tier hospitality experience in Melbourne, Australia.
Happy Birthday Cake
The three friends cut open a birthday cake just for you, HBD!
Souffle Pancake
one of my favorite dishes, souffle pancakes.
YAYOI Hitsumabushi
one my favorite dishes from the restaraunt Yayoi.
Ice Cream Friends
the three friends take form of an ice cream cone.
Fanart in notebeans font
Turning Red
Kappn ACNH
Totoro
Chihiro
KPDH - Arden Cho and Rumi
Rumi
Celebi x Kato
Soaring Lanterns (Tangled)
Over the Moon Fanart
Jinx
Isha
Jinx and Ekko
The Wild Robot
Aespa x Gentle Monsters
Jennie Fanart
Michelle Yeoh
Wara Wara
Avatar 3 - Kiri
Polar Express
