Peter Draw - Draw on Love: Inspiring Stories of an Ordinary Person Drawing on Extraordinary Love

Peters dedication of the whole of his entire adult life, drawing to protect children who cannot protect themselves, has warmed the hearts of many children and adults alike, including me.

What you love has become your life. I hope your story will inspire even more people to find the courage to pursue and never give up on their dreams.

Jackie Chan

International Movie Star

Nothing seems to dampen his hope, shake his belief or daunt his crusade. Somehow, Peter has an incredible resolve in helping kids believe that they have a right to dream.

Even ordinary folks have been moved by Peters energy: they can make others dreams come through. Being in the charity and social circuit, we see something categorically pure in Peters art, intention and labor.

Keep drawing on love, Peter. May your story rouse many more to draw out the hopes and dreams of others.

Jennie Chua & The Management of The RICE Company Limited

The young artist who came to our family carnival had an unusual name, Peter Draw. He explained with a smile that he had adopted it as a gift from children he met at his art workshops who had trouble pronouncing his surname, Zhuo. He had just finished National Service, and was starting a new venture to draw colour to the world.

This is a story of an ordinary Singaporean with extraordinary determination, a gift to draw happiness to others, and a mission to inspire children and the child in everyone to live a joyful and purposeful life.

Evelyn S Wong

Writer, Consultant

Through his drawings, Peter is able to touch and inspire children around the world. He has the heart of a child and it is this youthful enthusiasm for life that allows him to relate so well with kids.

Lim Sau Hoong

Creative Director for Guinness Stout TV Campaign 1989-94, Bank of China Campaign 1996, Speak Mandarin Campaign 2010, Singapore Teochew Festival 2014, Visual Advisor for Opening of Beijing Olympics 2008.

This is a book about determination, creativity, and following your own path. Peter and I have never met in person, but our paths have crossed through our mutual love for the way creativity lifts the human spirit. This is an important book for people of all ages.

Joshua Fruhlinger

Writer, Nerd, SVP Defy Media

Not only is Peter a talented artist, but he is also a very caring and humble person. Everyone should read his inspiring story.

R Ramachandran

Executive Director, The National Book Development Council of Singapore

2015 Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited

Designed by: Lynn Chin

Edited by: Benedict Boo

Published in 2015 by Marshall Cavendish Editions

An imprint of Marshall Cavendish International

1 New Industrial Road, Singapore 536196

All rights reserved

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National Library Board, Singapore Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

Draw, Peter, 1984- author.

Draw on love : the inspiring story of an ordinary Singaporean /

Peter Draw. Singapore : Marshall Cavendish Editions, [2015]

pages cm

eISBN : 978 981 4634 80 9

1. Draw, Peter, 1984- 2. Artists Singapore Biography.

3. Drawing Singapore. I. Title.

NC344.7.S553

741.092 -- dc23 OCN907205410

Printed in Singapore by Markono Print Media Pte Ltd

I wanted to be a doughnut when I grew up. At least, that was what I wrote in my English composition My Childhood Dream in Primary One. My teacher was not amused when she read my composition. Peter, you have to find another dream, Mrs Wong told me sternly as she peered over her glasses.

I was puzzled. Did she not like doughnuts? They were so delicious! I loved doughnuts. Every week, I would diligently save my pocket money. This was no easy feat for a hungry boy of six with only 40 cents a day: 20 cents for a small meal, 10 cents for a drink, and 10 cents for a sweet or a snack. When Saturday morning finally arrived, I would jump out of bed and rush to the confectionery shop near my house to get my little sugary bites of what was heaven to me.

Teacher, why cant I be a doughnut? I asked innocently.

You cant be a doughnut! Its not a job, its not a business.

But they are so delicious! If I am a doughnut, I can eat doughnuts every day. The thought of biting into the soft, warm, fluffy dough made my mouth water in anticipation.

My teacher sighed. So what happens after you finish eating your new doughnut body?

I was stumped. Teacher, I didnt think that far ahead!

Fortunately, doughnuts were not the only love I had as a kid. My other big love was much less superficial and has stayed with me until now. It is my first love drawing.

I was three years old when I held a pencil for the first time. I cannot say for sure, but I think it was my mother who handed it to me with some paper, in an attempt to keep me occupied while she made dinner or did some household chores one busy afternoon. As the second child, I often played with the toys that my elder brother had already outgrown. The pencil was no exception. Short and stubby, it was a cheap made-in-China 2B pencil that had alternating red and black sides, topped with a red eraser that always left the paper rough and ugly with grey streaks after use. After being sharpened repeatedly, the pencil had become too short for my brother to hold comfortably, but it was the perfect size for my tiny hand. I wrapped my small fingers around it and made a mark on the paper.