Sanso Museum is a gem in San Juan, Metro Manila. It is a serene pocket of inspiration in the middle of a very busy city. I was happy to have been able to talk my parents into going there one afternoon a couple of weeks back despite the horrid traffic. They were celebrating their 49th wedding anniversary and were looking for a new place to visit and explore. Sanso, I thought, Sanso Museum! I had been there late last year, when Craft Party PH had a Christmas-themed rubber-stamp carving workshop. But my parents hadn't been and I was sure they would enjoy it. So we headed there with the kids and Read More
Paintings for Papa
I find it entertaining when my children explain their drawings or paintings. There is almost always some sort of story behind them even when the drawing are very abstract. A lot of times it's intentional, but sometimes, they just make up descriptions as they go. For Father's Day, Summer, Emma and yes, even Jo, surprised their Papa with mini canvas paintings. Here's what they have to say about what they made: Secret Garden by Emma Louise "I want to make a BIG heart for Papa." After painting the heart, she proceeded to cover it with multi-colored dots and lines. "It's like a Read More
Project Accomplished!
I've finally come to the end of last year's #the100dayproject! I stalled for months and months but when I found out two weeks ago that this year's was about to begin, I knew I just had to catch up! So I did! I managed to finish 28 days worth of drawings within the last 15 days (most drawn the last three!). To end, I did an illustration of my now sore and ink-stained right hand (see last drawing in post). That's because my hand and I are very thankful for this project and what it had allowed me to do. First, because I was able to rediscover what used to be my favorite pastime. I Read More
A HeART-filled Weekend
Kayo and I spent our Valentines weekend very differently this year. While I would normally opt for a quiet romantic dinner to celebrate, I can't say I did not enjoy how we spent it this time. It was definitely one for the books! Kayo and I, together with a bunch of other talented and adored local (and one foreign) artists took part in Ayala Mall's Love'm Hearts campaign. It was a celebration of love and art at all Ayala Malls nationwide! Kayo's primary role was to bring in artists and direct the painting of giant heart installations situated in eight different Ayala Malls in Luzon over the Read More
“Of Miracle” (Christmas Collection 2015, 1 of 6)
Stretching some old legs, Nica and I decided to put together a friends and family collection of canvases for Christmas. It was a challenge because A) I had not worked on canvas for almost a decade; and B) we decided to match the individual works to the recipients' personalities/homes. This also posed yet another challenge: how do you put together a cohesive body of work for such a diverse group of people and homes? I'll be posting the finished works over the next couple of weeks and you can decide if we were able to meet the parameters we had set out for ourselves. This first piece is for my Read More
Halfway There!
If you follow me on Instagram, you've probably noticed that I've been posting multiple drawings at a time lately. That's because I'm fifteen days behind the 100 Day Project and I'm trying to catch up! I knew I'd get delayed from time to time but I wasn't expecting I'd get so busy. This post is actually two weeks late (or is it three?)! ANYWAY...enough feeling sorry for myself. Let me just celebrate the fact that I am halfway through (and a little over) this project! Hooray! I have stayed on playing along because this project has done and is doing me good in many surprising ways. If on my Read More
Flowers For My Moms
For Mother's day, I decided to make small paintings for my Mom and my Mother in law. Both of them have been asking me for an artwork for some time now but I haven't been confident enough to do it. I always feel like I need more practice or I don't really know what I can paint that will be good enough. Kayo said I should just do it and start small. Make something that is not so complex so I can make it really nice. Thanks to #The100DayProject, I have been able to practice sketching and drawing the last five weeks. So a few nights before Mother's day, I decided to just go for it and make our Read More
Keep Shining, Momma!
I came across this quote the other night and thought it was so sweet and simple that I decided to quickly turn it into a little artwork. And it's dedicated to all Moms. Our families count on us to give off some light everyday — to guide, to clarify, to strengthen, to heal, to refresh, to nourish, to encourage. Most of the time it's difficult and and can get really overwhelming, but know that in the big things and the small things that we do, we make this world a little bit brighter each day. So we must. We must go on. Keep shining, Momma! Have a wonderful Mother's Day! Read More
Free Valentines Postcards!
Just a few days left before Valentine's Day and I've got a special treat for you! I designed four new postcards which you can download for free, print as much copies as you like and give away to your loved ones on the day of hearts. And these four original designs were inspired by classic love songs I've always liked. I grew up listening to the "oldies." Music by Louis Armstrong, The Temptations, Frank Sinatra, Al Green and the Beach Boys, to name a few, would always be playing in our car stereo or my parents' record player at home. I vividly remember being a little girl sitting on my dad's Read More
The Girls’ All White Gallery Wall
You have probably noticed it by now, but I really enjoy my daughters' room. I like being in there with them and I like fixing it up for them (okay, maybe I do it for myself too). It's probably the effect of seeing too many cute little girls' rooms on Pinterest. But aside from decorating it with their own artwork and craft projects, I also like to make art myself to put in their room. So recently, I put together a small wall gallery of illustrations, paintings and photographs for their room. I really like the idea of an all white gallery and thought it would be perfect for the girls Read More