Monday, December 30, 2013

New Year State of Mind

Waiting for my chance to unleash my one-two punch...patiently...cunningly. Nope, I'm not going into a UFC fight; I am making huge plans for my career.
   Not just for the sheer joy of painting anymore...I don't have that luxury to paint whatever I desire. Maybe one day...if you support my cause...
   As a full-time freelance artist I realized the necessity to be able to support my family as well...and the material cost to continue what I love most. I also must think of ideas or body of work that must sell. Something the buyer can't resist or at least a valid reason for them to have my work. I've been focusing too much on ideals and passion but they don't amount into any financial value...at least for now. Once I made my grand entrance; I can already sell my name alone. Which is of course I will never do...I want to paint the inner me. 
   
   
  December 28 when I have to make a rush travel to Makati City; Edmund Mamuyac message me the night before that we will meet a possible client. Whom he said love my impressionism style.
   For the first time I was late on an important occasion, there was sir Pops and Armar Ramirez already waiting for me at KFC Buendia-Pasong Tamo....and we have to meet the client somewhere in Greenbelt Park 3 at The Coffee Beans. 
   Here she is Jinna the international model base in New York. She's looking for an artist who can do a modern contemporary painting for the bare wall of her condo unit. 
   So right there and then we gave her an on the spot sample, dealing with the idea of her husband...a landscape that will fuse together London and New York. The catch is; it has to be done in Modern Contemporary style. 

   Done with cappuccino at The Coffee Bean shop... Armar and I made a quick painting to see whether we qualify for the job...I just play with it and follow my heart even if I lack the color set. 


   Confident that I nailed it...since there isn't much competition...Edmund made no sample and did her on-the-spot coffee portrait instead. But if you would ask me, to be honest it was not the best work I made to please a person...it was so naive and haphazard. I also feel I don't have the perfect set of mood that day. 

Also even after we go to Ayala Triangle for another on-the-spot just for fun...the result of my landscape are blunt. I better work on these areas since most of the time; a client can't wait for you to be inspired.

   The following night I have to make my first study....I call this "Liberty meets Big Ben" 


   Instantly it was approved the night Pops send it to Jinna to be scrutinized by her hubby. I have to pat my shoulder for a job well done.
   Therefore, she will set up another meeting with her...the detour would be it has to be on 6X6 feet canvas join together not two separate pieces. It has to be sewn together since as far as we know the maximum height of canvas in the market is only good for only 4 to 5 feet. Nothing comes without a challenge anyway. 
    So this would be my project come next year. Thank God.



Thursday, December 26, 2013

Pardon My Eloquence


I feel so blessed...
   despite recent turbulence that almost broke my reasoning capacity these past months; there are still enough reasons to laugh and cheer. I thought it would be a dry season for me since I have no line up of event on sched...yet last minute confirmation for my facepainting rescue  our financial worries for the most expensive season of all. Glory to God!!!

   At times, I had this tendencies to overspend...most especially on art materials. The addiction for sketching miscellaneous and to venture to realms only those that can afford to sustain the momentum will survive. 

Some are simply false alarm...

My philosophical humor resound the true sentiment of my domestic affairs.  No more need to covert the real status... I am still a struggling artist wishing for a corner of my own...never mind the centerstage, just a little space to call my own. At least recognized for all my worth. 

It is extremely hard to earn respect in my chosen playing field. There are evil crabs ready to snatch you in the air. Obviously there are far more talented people in the planet. 


    The need to return to my roots...being redirected by uncertainties...of new learning...and shocked. To be overwhelmed by enormous discoveries...of new found fame and re-installment to a pedestal. Which heights I feel dizziness embroidering my apparel. 



Re-aligning my direction as an artist, that is probably the best resolution I can focus into as the new year enters...











Saturday, December 21, 2013

The Sporadic Resonance of 2013

Not yet sure if this is gonna be my year-end report for 2013. Usually an annual report should be written on the first month of the following year. I just feel like evaluating my life today. Too many upturns and downturns had happen this year...four or five years in the zone yet only this year have I realized the gravity of my decision... as a freelance artist, the sense of fear just arrived late this year. 


In the Art world; it's not just about education, talent, and resources...you also need connections and sometimes CONTROVERSY.


   Natural calamities somehow affected my artistry...who wasn't? Creative mind lingers on that premise of the Universal consciousness. 



   Tagged ArtLover Group, my baby mellows as I became too crowded with personal issues and building my own artistic career. Well from time to time I still re-share artworks from other artist. 
   Career path seems to be stepping up on its proper places. Fellow artist said that I now have a label, a name of my own...well at least on my circle of FB contacts. No major artworks sold except commissions. I've just realized that I'm now the most sought after face painter down here in Laguna area...No doubt about that. Haha. 
   Re-activating my membership on 4S (Styles, Strokes, and Sketches Society) on Friday the 13th of September.... was perhaps the most important decision I took this year. Re-joining the Master's Challenge are one of the biggest leap in my artistry this year no matter how simple the task given...realizing the importance of this activity to paint even if you don't like what you're doing. It's a matter of discipline and prioritizing. 


Let me review therefore some of the highlights of 2013 as far I'm concern...


   February this year when i started updating this blog again...(see Behind the Mask) also around this time when I started making individual pieces; as you all know I'm more into Visual Manuscripts these past 3 or 4 years...although it is my lifetime thesis I think I need to build up exhibition pieces too. 
   There is of course that love hate relationship with my visual manuscripts that subside when I enter Styles, Strokes, and Sketches Society or 4S. 



   Penetrating the Artworld via friends of friends on FB...attended some exhibitions especially ... During these times as you mingle with fellow artisan you realized the true colors of art in Philippine setting...politics plays a major role and so I step back for awhile. 
   Around the third quarter of this year I begun to explore various field and this I reported on Maturity in Artistic Variations...
   I've said I will make hundred of Fish series...well, so far I made fourteen...




Im-Fher-sionism...was simply an adaptation; or perhaps my default setting. 


My first entry to 4S Tournament...


2nd Entry Four Seasons...


   The underpainting that Maestro Jose Tolentino Jimenez mentioned became one of the most important tip for me this year. I think I over stock myself with green paint because of this. 



   November when I started to paint in oil pigment...still trying my luck on this area as I feel I'll be more comfortable in acrylic or anything that dries very fast...



My first one-man show via the internet...Thank you so much Ms. Turs Simsuangco for this opportunity to showcase my work. 



   Some of the highlight images of 2013...


















Fher

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Four Seasons Awarding and On-the-spot Marathon of 4S

The much awaited day has finally arrived...Sunday Dec. 8, 2013. Could be the year-ender activity of Styles, Strokes, and Sketches Society or the opening salvo for 2014. The awarding ceremony of Four Seasons Tournament sponsored by Ms. Aubrey Pabuhat-Yano. 
   Venue: BF Park, BF Homes Parañaque City; just in front Sir Pops (Noel David) ancestral house where he grew up. A picturesque place which was dubbed as the largest subdivision in the Philippines not to mention filled with High-profile controversies. 
   We kick-off the event around 10AM with an on-the-spot painting with 3 lovely bystanders while we wait for 2 of our Main models Australian girl Christine Carluen and of course Aubrey. 

Styles, Strokes and Sketches Society members who are present in the scene...we still hope for a Grand reunion one day including those people in foreign land.  This was taken inside the David Mansion..


warm up sketch session...



Christine Carluen
fountain by the park
at the gazebo
The Result...a misdeal, the judges can't decide so everyone wins.

   Sir Pops mural of BF personalities...over 300 faces and perhaps the most faces ever concocted together. Needed Guinness confirmation on this.


The Exhibitions of entries...

Selection of all winning artworks for M4 seasons with model and sponsor Aubrey Yano.


The winners in no particular order...
Isagani P. Carlos, Jose Tolentino Jimenez, and Ric Sanchez


photo opt with sponsor Aubrey...with my on-the-spot entry...


The Honorable Mentions...
Benedict Honor, Wally Castro (held by Aubrey), Lourdes Inosanto, and Rusty Tabo represented by our latest member Rene Carlo Antonio

Our special thanks to Brgy Councilor Noel Azarcon...


Master JJ presenting our token of appreciation to VIP...


My official entry for Four Seasons Tournament. Not so many people knew but this was one of my first canvas work...well, I've tried one or two before but those was unofficial pieces as an artisan since I was only a student then. Good first try for me...anyway, there's always another season.


The Surprise winning piece...Thank God! 


Special thanks to Dong-A Philippines thru Ms. Jane Arrieta Ebarle for providing the giveaways and art materials. God bless you.

pastel work by Jose Tolentino Jimenez


Sideline scenes....
















Till Next Tournament Guys and Gals!!!