As We Walk in Life

The common sentiments in using oil-base paint is its drying time...so in this area I would prefer acrylic but in terms of workability and shimmer it is still the choice material. While waiting for the 3rd major piece to dry that I will show in Cabanatuan....I made some sideline pieces...some turns out to be sentimental.

   

   My Art walk with Elyona (March 13) at Ayala Center in Makati was fruitful...the next day she immediately gathered her friends and organize an art workshop. Here are the results....

  











   I feel depress this whole day (March 17) and was simply ignoring the updates and results of the contest in 4S. Anyway, ahead of the scheduled announcement I already knew that master JJ won the Eurasian Beauty MC. I already gave my work to sir Pops as a gift...upon his request for Gloria as bonus. No hard feelings. Well, of course it hurts knowing my piece should have won...and I don't want to elaborate more....and further this day, which I have later discovered that a 2nd choice was added... it was Maryrose's piece........

   The incapacity to give...and I was deeply wounded when I can't give any financial support to my nanay. She is yet to be proud of me. We will see...I pray. 

Fher

Another Winning Portrait

Glory to God. I had my first winning portrait for 2014. An online On-the-spot video conferencing portrait challenge. Time limit: 4 hours. Our model and prize sponsor Gloria S a Fil-German. 

It was a Fun activity within our Classified project at 4S Headquarter. We were here for Four days from January 23 to 26 with Master JJ, Edmund and sir Pops. It brings us closer as artist and becomes a bonding time too. Plus this not so confidential piece with a twist of controversy. So I can't post the painting for now. It was in 6 by 8 feet canvas.  

   Learned a lot with sir JJ while doing this huge painting. Like for the first time using textured paint and stretching also a very large canvas from carpentry to priming techniques. 

We also visit an artist haven at The Collective, 7274 Malugay st., San Antonio, Makati City. Finally a place for artist. Edmund forgot to bring the camera so we didn't took many photos. Will surely visit the place one of these days. 

1 Timothy 2-4 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Diary of a Struggling Artist

I was really contemplating very seriously to call this blog as "Diary of a Struggling Artist" because when you're already at your mid-forties you should have at least established yourself in the market. None of those things had happened yet although I was considered as one of the respected artist via the not so small circle of social media. Perhaps, this blog would be more interesting if I narrate on that aspect of my life instead of telling you just the evolution of my Artistry.
    After I fully decided to be a self-employed artisan nearly five years now I come to realized that this path I've chosen had many loopholes to consider...and perhaps, I was foolish to jump into the bandwagon ill-equipped. 

   The Art of realizationism perhaps had lost it sting on my ears or to the public but I am not saying that it is irrelevant now...or I should say my authority to speak the matter about Realizationism is questionable at the moment. Starting another blog isn't an option since I don't have the time to launch another time consuming activity after having what? Five or Six other blogs plus a dozen more of other social media account. 

   Well, for this New Year I had big projects at hand, it might help you see how it would get along. So today from The Art of Realizationism this blog becomes Diary of a Struggling Artist. 

Are We In Random Thought Again

Been into impressionism, coffee art, joining Master's Challenge at 4S, even face painting job and everything else lately. Yet this is not the true essence of my art. As I've said before, that I always wanted to tell stories or let us say in simple terms; create works that I truly enjoy and feel that sense of fulfillment. 

Wanting to be me...
   For this year, hopefully I would create more Realization Art. For starter this is my first Realizationism (photos). 
   When it comes to my art, I don't like to be mandated on what to paint. I don't care about the dictates of the market scene. I just paint what I love to paint. As I've said, I'm random and sporadic...I express whatever I feel at the moment...so most of the time I go into one sitting when I paint. The following day would be a different feeling so if I continue a WIP there is a tendency to change course. 
   Now I have to juggle between my art groups, commission or services, and Realizationism. 

Here I have to reinvent myself into something I've learned and used from the past. While there is no rules in art here is a specific standard to follow or vice versa whatever that means. 

2nd Day...I was dissatisfied with the paint I've bought, the white base for acrylic was too thin and powdery when applied.  

So I have to stop...

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

Why Wooden Frames?

Telling stories had always been my goal when I paint....and the easiest way was to tell these stories thru symbols. One of the constant symbols or representations are wooden frames...this are vital on my painting when telling stories...since I have to divide sequences like a story book.

   It also emphasizes where to focus attention and my style attempt not to get crowded with details.   

My Self-Search Years as an Artist part 1

July 10th added another year in my life...

   Poetry on my artworks appeared during my PNC- CELEC years (circa 1985-87). I've often included lines or verses on almost each and every artworks that I've created during those years. Some are directly written on the work itself or at the back of each piece. It was my most prosperous years as an artist as I've been very prolific then, creating an artwork each day or even turning up to 5 pieces per day.

   I was so full of hope then, vibrant and youthful....

   I've always wanted to impart a little story on them. "The words beneath each colors and shapes"  had been my unofficial tagline then; as well as Proverbs 16:3

"Commit thy works unto the Lord and thy thoughts shall be established."

   I was also somewhat of a philosopher during those years. Perhaps that is always the case if you are still self-searching. Exploring the truths and even trying to unravel the meaning of life. 

   The very first visual manuscript was also discovered during those years. Trying to solve the growing number of papers filing on my collections,  I've made a portfolio of them by the way; because it was the advise of our Workshop facilitators during the Cultural Center of the Philippines Summer Visual Arts workshop to keep our works for future references. The portfolio itself became my insignia and my lifetime theses. The very first book I called UnKitch was first label as a sort of Junk Art. My Colleague then at PNC became the first critique of those collections.  

   I also founded an Art group which we called SAPIN--SAmahan ng mga PIntor sa Normal (formally started in 1986) where we were able to held two group shows during my term as chairman dubbed as "Tubig-Culay, Guhit-Lapit, atbp." and "Kamalayan" exhibits. 

   CELEC means College Electoral Committee where I've been assigned to hold the Publicity Chairmanship for Two and a half years during my College day at Philippine Normal University. 

   When I have to leave PNC to work and face the reality of life, slowly that dream of a full time career as an artist slowly fades.... the reality of life has to be on top of everything. 

   I've worked from here and there...my artistry had to be set aside. I still do visit my Visual Manuscripts from time to time especially during my lowest of days. These manuscripts had undergone various transformation...evolving as I traverse into life...mostly are melancholic expressions or outpouring of sentiments. Dying dreams...of undying hopes yet blurry visions. 

   There's always my faith.  Although sometimes I falter...

   I have wandered to the wrong path and had turn into worldly things. The visions dies...left my God also and became a prodigol son. 

after the storm...the shakening, God is still faithful to his promises