'True North' is now complete. It will be ready for transport soon. It will make its way over to URBAN GALLERY for the 'O CANADA' show coming up in July. Opening reception will take place on Saturday, July 8 from 2 - 5 pm. I shall see you all there !
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I recently read an article posted by a well-known newspaper organization. The article read more of a critique on a book that was just released by a Pulitzer Prize-Winning journalist. The children referred to the woman who helped raise them as 'Lola'. I read the entire article. It was an interesting and disturbing article to say the least but no where in the article it stated what the meaning was behind the word 'Lola'. I was born in the Philippines and I came to Canada at the age of three. This is what 'Lola' means: it means Grandmother in the Filipino language, Tagalog. The title (more accurate) of 'Lola' signifies respect, upmost regard, strength, patience and unconditional love. My mom is 'Lola' to my three children. Even my husband calls my mom 'Lola'. My mom, our 'Lola' ~ the title is actually very significant because it comes with a tsunami of simple yet powerful love.
OK. My 'moment in time' art piece now has a direction; literally. The art work I am currently working on will be called 'True North'. It is dedicated to the celebration of Canada's 150th birthday. I see 2 paths; either this art piece can get too serious and cliche fast or I slow it down and research where I want to take this new piece. I grew up in Toronto and I travelled a bit across Canada and so I just have to get in touch with my vision bank. I am having a lot of fun doing the research behind the places I've visited and for some reason stayed in my vision bank. Each spacial part of the canvas will represent a place. It will be in abstract form but the elements will represent something. This art piece will be displayed in July 2017 at one of my favourite Toronto galleries. This particular art gallery always brings out the best in me. BTW: I still left the lime bubble empty. I have sketches and sketches of ideas but till this day ~ it's still open to all these possibilities.
My 3 loves. My art studio must be the smallest room in our home and yet every time I go in there to paint; my 3 children are all there hanging out. I don't mind, except when I am working with heavy gels and mediums, I clear out the space. Perhaps my art studio is at the "heart" of our home. Not sure but what I am sure is that my 3 loves are always welcome in the art studio; our own private sanctuary. Happy Mother's Day to my mom and to all the moms !
I found this very old photo of my brother, sister and I. I am the youngest of this trailblazing bunch. I can recognize the books I was holding on that one windy day. I knew my love for books originated from somewhere. I just finished watching this TVO documentary on how to increase creativity. I came across the concept of Lateral Thinking and the '6 Thinking Hats'. Creativity and the problem-solving-mind are inter-linked ~ of course ! I am currently testing out the theory behind the '6 Thinking Hats'. I am using the theory on my latest art piece 'True North'. Originality, thinking outside of the conventional norm, solving problems that were never solved before ~ sign me up !
At first my mind started moving towards a landscape scene. I've travelled cross-country in my homeland Canada, and I've witnessed the most beautiful landscapes; but as an artist I wanted to break the 'comfort ceiling' and decided not to go there. I took an old plastic serving plate and skewed it to create a unique shape (it actually turned out like a large lemon/lime shape). Then I played around with a mix of white gesso and 3 different shades of green. I use Golden Paints, but any line of paints work as long as the series are the 'professional set'. The cost is a bit higher but it is so worth it in the end. I already know what I will be including in my "lemon/lime bubble". The content ties into my original idea (see Entry 1). Until next time.
I keep all kinds of papers, especially Japanese paper. My sister and I would often visit artisan stores that sell Japanese paper. We would print on the papers and any papers that were unused get stored for future use. Some sheets are very expensive and so I rarely throw away cut-offs; the tiny pieces eventually make their way on to my canvases. Real Japanese paper is made up of plants and so it has two distinct characteristics, thin (translucent) and strong due to its fibres. This time around, I burnt pieces of Japanese paper using a burning tool (caution: do this process outside for proper ventilation). If you do not like cutting the paper with a scissor, get a cup of water with a clean thin brush. Wet the brush and apply a thin line of water on to the paper, wait for two seconds, and then tear. The edges naturally split and one can observe all the fine fibres. When burning the edges, the extended fibres will burn quickly and so please take extra caution. Once you are done, take a break and set all the pieces of paper on white paper where you can observe them from time to time during the day. The more you visit your mini-display of papers, you will begin to envision how to place them on your canvas. By evening, I start to apply the pieces of paper within a shape. I will call my shape 'the wave' or 'the hill'. I apply the papers using gel medium (Gloss Medium & Varnish). I add another type of paper but continue to stay within my shape. Let this dry completely. The next day, add some details and do not over-think it. Let your creative intuition guide you and do not second-guess yourself. Remember: you are the Artist and you are your own obstacle; so be kind to yourself, get-on-with-it and enjoy the moment.
I haven't painted in a few months. I was caught up with 'every-day duties' and I have been so absorbed with the news lately that I have filled my mind with so much noise. I am ready to de-noise now and just 'be still'. My acupuncturist shared a story with me. I call it 'The Bubble Story'. I mentally place someone I care for in a bubble with me and we are holding a spiritual cord. I concentrate and visualize positive energy and love being transported from me to my loved one through this cord. The cord disappears naturally and my loved one splits in their own independent bubble. Due to my engineering side, I usually start off my paintings with straight lines. This time, I will be starting with curved lines. I've been mentally placing so many of my loved ones in my bubble that I started dreaming of bubbles. 'ENTRY 1' is the first step in my creative journey.
I have been searching and researching the meaning of 'truth'. I came across this amazing quote from Mahatma Gandhi, "Truth never damages a cause that is just." One has to put a light on the issue at hand and let people witness the truth, let people create their own opinions, let the silent and yet powerful facts rise above all the noise. Truth is a force and its nature is to be out in the open, not hidden. Truth will always find its way, because it is tied to 'good'.
"If you are humble nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are." Mother Teresa
The first time I came across this quote, I missed the word 'what'. Mother Teresa said 'what' not 'who' for a reason. After a few moments, I realized ~ of course, she meant 'dust'. |
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November 2018
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