RIPPERS

Hello guys! I'm so sorry for not being active on internet. My crappy old DSL net keeps getting booted during heavy rains. Hopefully we will get a new broadband soon.

I warn you guys about the rippers. My friend Anne-Julie Aubry contacted me that PAK GREEN stole one of my illustrations and her illustrations too for their T-shirts. Anne-Julie said Tuktukshop store on DaWanda (and also in their local store in France) told her that these tees are mass produced in Thailand and are sold from a designer named PAK GREEN. I took screenshots so check them out. Actually, they have removed their tees on site already.

I don't remember the artist's name but I know this famous art.

If anyone knows PAK GREEN, please contact me and Anne-Julie. I hate the way how PAK GREEN does like that e.g. using our arts without permission, making mass production, etc. But not only PAK GREEN, i can sense that there are more "hidden" merchandising places... please let me know if you see one of my illustrations on any products like tees, bags, etc. anywhere especially local stores.

In fact, my friend Mark Salvatus went to Bangkok where he had group exhibit last year. He asked me if I was collaborating with Bangkok people about the art business. I said no. He said that he saw my illustrations (buttons / badges, etc.) at the small merchandising store. He didn't take pics of those products 'coz they said "no pictures, please". He also asked them if they could have their site so they said no. They seemed very tricky. Tsk tsk, those people have no heart, I mean, they are totally bad. In time, if Mark could go to Bangkok again, he will investigate them. Sigh... aarRRRGGGH!

Apart from that, I have finished my 8 artworks (colored ones and vintage-style graphite ones) for the next art group show "Tree House" in Nucleus Gallery. My gosh, I can't believe that my friend Raquel Aparicio also participates too, high five sweetie! I'm super thrilled that Chris Appelhans, Tadahiro Uesugi, Sun Young Yoo and Veronique Joffre are also going to be in the same show! Eeee, they are perfectly suitable for the Tree House show! 

I'll ship my parcel to them soon. Unfortunately, I cancelled to visit USA in July 2009 (sorry Nucleus Gallery and my friends but I love you all hehehe). Hopefully, we might travel to USA in time *please cross fingers*. I'll post my artworks on my blog in August, you guys need to be patient, hehe. 

Anyway, I'll be away from the internet and art commissions / projects. I want to regain my strength, renew my mind, take more rest, talk to my plants / little creatures in my garden, find a pure happiness / peace and solve my complex family problems, hopefully. I miss you all. Good day to all of you, good night to me! *Mall jumps on a fluffy soft cloud and flies to Slumberland* ZZZzzzzZZzzzz..... . . . .

Red and Blue Tsunami Queens

Sorry guys, I didn't go to Manila for the monster opening show. I would like to thank you very much Dexter Fernandez (I got invited by him), Luis Lorenzana (took care of my pieces gently and framed my monster comic) and Julius Babao, who is a famous TV anchor / presenter from TV Patrol and XXX shows, bought my pieces (thank you for writing your blog about me and my art, Sir Julius... my gosh, I can't believe that you're a REAL Julius Babao...?) Thanks guys for making me big smile! :D

I made two mixed media pieces for the If I were a monster art group show. The size of both pieces is 9" x 11" inches. Let me explain my monster art pieces, Red Tsunami Queen and Blue Tsunami Queen. The red one: an active girl spreads her heavy monstrous period (menstruation). The blue one: a calm girl finishes flowing her light monstrous period. That's what I learned from my male classmates in college. Boys are sometimes scared of a woman's disgusting period. So they don't like to touch nor smell nor see it and they sometimes scream "EEEEEWWWWWWW... DUGO! (BLOOD!)"... 

I created my few new words: Red Tide and Red Tsunami, hehehe. Honestly, when I don't feel good, they can ask me why, I always say "Ugh, I'm having a red tsunami today." They sometimes don't understand what I mean, hahaha. 

I also made an extra comic for the art installment. Not for sale. I really love to make more more comics.

Please visit the monster site, they will upload more great monster artworks soonest! Now I'm workin' on my new pieces for the next art group show (including few very prolific illustrators, yes!), "Tree House" in Nucleus Gallery. The tree theme is perfectly suitable for my art, yey! I should finish 5 - 8 pieces before August. Sneakie peekie... vintage style ones, graphite one, colored ones, etc... (sorry, no reserving... but you can contact Nucleus Gallery). Have a great night, my people!

"If I were a monster" art group show

"If I were a monster" art group
Opening: 6pm, May 29 - June 10, 2009
White Box Studio
Cubao-X Marikina Shoe Expo, Araneta Center, Cubao

MONSTER ARTISTS:
Abi Goy
Jeff Tan
Beth Parrocha-Doctolero
Arvin Javier
May Ann Licudine
Luis Lorenzana
Bru
Marcushiro
Mervin Pimentel
Dexter Fernandez
Froilan Calayag
Zeus Bascon
Robert Alejandro
Hannah Liongoren
Mark Salvatus
Auggie OKTO Fontanilla

GUYS PLEASE VISIT, THERE ARE MANY GREAT ARTISTS! PARTIES! FOODS! COOL PEOPLE!

(Sorry, I'm not sure if I attend or not... sigh, I wish i could go to Manila... but i love you all! mwah! For my next blog entry, I'll post my new paintings after the opening show. ♥ ) 

The Midnight Garden of Great Owl

Last year I closed my art commissions, a vivid toy collector named Nick waited for me patiently. I already wrote his name down in my commission list. In In February 2009, I was free and I posted my personal birthday comic on my blog, he asked me "don't think you'll be opened for commissions anytime soon? *fingers crossed*" I thought, "OHHH I REMEMBER! He's my next client!"

Nick and I started discussing about art commission. He gave me two different options which I wanted: Custom toy OR Painting. I knew that he's a toy addict plus this is my first custom toy. So I said "Ok! Custom toy! I'm interested with that!" Regarding the idea and theme, Nick liked the "mystical, dreamy and full of surprises" thing and he didn't have concrete ones. But he shared his thought with me about the "all-around painting", just like The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch. So, I was super impressed.

I made rough sketches and Nick already liked it. I was priming, sculpting, sanding, texturing elements, painting... The Mellow toy is about 8" inches. My materials were acrylics, colored pencils, clay, resin and other few secret weapons, hehe. Here is my art progress.

The title is The Midnight Garden of Great Owl. Let me share my little story with you guys. At the midnight time, Great Owl wakes up and transforms his feathery chest into his mysterious garden. He allows any innocent creatures to live in his garden. He always watches over his own garden and good friends from evils and demons. When the sunrise starts, Great Owl goes back to his feathery look and falls asleep for regaining his strength. Please click to full view the full photo collage below.

I also made an original drawing.

Sigh, I still miss my Great Owl. He reminds me of Wilson, who is a bloodied quiet volleyball, bestfriend and companion of Chuck Noland (Tom Hawks) from the movie Castaway. I kept singing for him, talking to him and looking at his big eyes while working on him. If Great Owl misses me, hopefully he could fly to me, hehehe!

It's Nick's fault, I'm now digging on vinyl toys / custom toys, haha! Nick, I really enjoyed working it with you. Thank you for everything! Please take care of my owl!

COMMISSIONS / SHOWS
Regarding my reserved seven art commissions, I hold on this time. Because I need to work on my new pieces for the upcoming art show in USA first. Don't worry, I'll definitely continue working on my commissions for another time. Thank you for your understanding and patience, my fellow clients.

And sneak peek, I'll post my few new works for the art group show, "If I were a monster... " in Manila this month.

I continue working on my new pieces for the upcoming art show in Nucleus Gallery, I'm so excited!

Okay, bedtime for me! Miss you guys! I'll reply to all of you in my previous blog entries!

Limited EDITION prints are now AVAILABLE!

The Notorious Ornate Horned Frog

LIMITED EDITION 25 prints are now available on Nucleus Gallery (signed & numbered, matte heavyweight). It's USD $25 each. The size is 11" X 8.5" inches. Hurry up, you won't get late. My handsome horned frog would be happier to have you if you buy it.

Apart from that, I'm still working on Mellow toy. I'll post my blog entry about Mellow toy and my upcoming art group show in May. Sorry, I'm quite busy nowadays and sometimes my net connection is not good (I get booted, argh). I'll reply to all of you guys in my previous blog entries soon. All right, I have to work now. See you guys! :)

WARNING, Art buyers

Art buyers, I warn you about their weird crazy site. I discovered their site during Google. It made me surprised that they're selling some artworks. I don't think they're selling my sold original work (or print) on their site. My sold work still belongs to my Filipino art buyer. Take a look, they wrote their information about the details of my artwork's size and price. It's grossly crazy, isn't it? According to Ted Kim whom I contacted, who has shown his work by their site. He said he definitely did not give this site permission to sell his artwork. Argh, their site is called art theft. Warn you, if you buy artworks there, probably they couldn't deliver them to you...they might want to have only money from you. Their site is http://www.myonlineoffice.com.sg/artgallery/

I contacted them, but they didn't reply. My former art classmate and intelligent talented friend Shackie also contacted them too. (Thank you, Shackie for helping me!) Let's see and wait what happens to them.... Okay, let me continue working on my Mellow toy custom, yey.

P.S. Thanks to all of you who emailed me about my last speech. They said my speech wanted my peeps and friends to keep working harder, awww thank you! :) Go For It!

My Official Speech

I greatly thank De La Salle - Saint Benilde College especially Mary Jane Luakin who invited and asked me to give my speech to the deaf students. It was so great, glad they aspired me very much, I really appreciated it. Some good people eagerly asked me to post my speech here.

My special speech is for all of you especially my fellow bloggers, loved ones, family, friends, aspiring artists especially disabled people. Sorry, I disable comments on this special blog entry. Enjoy reading my long speech.

Thank you Ms. Mary Jane Luakin for your generous introduction. Allow me to greet everyone a wonderful morning! I wish to express my sincere gratitude for the honor you have bestowed on me for inviting me to be your speaker today. Thank you very much!

Never in my life have I expected to be invited as a speaker in a group, organization or institution. And most definitely not in La Salle, which is one of the most prestigious schools in our country. For someone like me, this opportunity to speak before you is tantamount to an impossible dream that came true, because I was born with a hearing defect and therefore with a subsequent difficulty in oral communication.

It’s so ironical that my father is an ( EENT ) Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist, a doctor who treats ear ailments and conditions. Yet, he was not able to cure my condition because it is a congenital problem.

Instead of being frustrated, my parents did all they can to help me cope with my impairment. It took them 4 years before they realized and accepted that their 2nd child is partly deaf. According to my mother, she was very appreciative when as a child I would sleep very soundly despite the noise around me. I was 4 years old when they suspected of my condition. I always sat very near the television and they thought that maybe my eyesight was poor because both my parents wear corrective eyeglasses. It was by coincidence that they found out about my condition. My mother told me that one time when I was still a child, she called me, although I was standing close to her, I did not respond to her call. She tried again but did not get any response because she was calling me behind my back…that’s when they learned that I can hardly hear and that I was only lip-reading. They brought me to Manila for accurate hearing test and diagnosis. It was found out that I have 80% HEARING LOSS and I needed a set of hearing aids. I started wearing hearing aids at 6 years old.

They were devastated! Their immediate reaction was pity for their child and fear for my future. I was enrolled in a special school that handled special children with hearing impairment. However, my parents noticed that since entering SPED, (special education for the disabled) I seldom speak and rely mostly on lip reading and sign languages since most of my classmates were mute and deaf. They did not want that. They believed that I would not be able to learn how to communicate verbally if I would remain in the SPED school and be taught to read lips and do sign language. Instead, they focused on my remaining 20% hearing and enrolled me in a normal school where I was encouraged to develop my verbal faculty in order to communicate my thoughts, ideas and feelings in words. During summer, I was enrolled in a speech clinic, and at home I was encouraged to speak loudly and they patiently corrected my diction and grammar.

They even encouraged me to use a microphone so I would hear how my voice sounds. I was made to watch movies with subtitles. At times my siblings would be a bit irritated at me because I would ask them to explain some words, expressions and scenes from the movies. This, however, did not stop me from asking them to explain. I must admit that I was really “makulit” as a child. To make me understand some terms, my relatives act, make faces, role play, or demonstrate in order to convey the meaning of the words to me. For example, to differentiate between smooth and rough, my mother would let me touch a smooth and rough object to make me understand the words and distinguish smooth from rough. Words pertaining to emotions were conveyed by making facial and body expressions to make me understand the meaning of anger, passion, love etc. Words were spoken slowly and aloud so I could hear them and get the correct pronunciation. It took them a lot of patience, diligence and time to teach me how to speak. Before, the sounds coming from me were murmurs, weird, unrecognizable and could not be understood. That maybe the reason I was called alien by my classmates because when I spoke… all that was coming from me were strange noises. Oral Communication was frustrating because they could not understand a word I said. At least now, I am able to communicate my ideas.

One of my greatest challenges was to be admitted in a normal school. Three of the most reputable schools in our town rejected me because I could not pass their entrance exam. But with my parents’ perseverance and “pakiusap” ( request / beg ), I was finally accepted at Felkris Grade School and CKC ( Christ the King College ) for my secondary education.

Being enrolled in a normal school was a difficult and painful experience for me. During my elementary days, I was laughed at, ridiculed, bullied, and even “hurt” physically by some of my classmates. I was punched and pinched because I was different. I was called monster, ugly, stupid, dumb and I had no friends. People didn’t want to talk to me because they could not understand me so they ignored me. There was a time when a few classmates of mine grabbed my hearing aid thinking that it was a Walkman portable music player. My bloody ears with my hearing aid were also hit by my two male classmates.

Actually I did not know that I was different. I thought I was like the other children because my family treated me like a normal child. I was in all-girls high school when I fully realized that I was disabled. It hurt me so much to know that I was not normal like my classmates. I was depressed and angry at myself and started hating myself. Then I already accepted that my classmates called me some bad names. I was afraid of the future. I prayed to God to make me normal. My grades were so low. I hardly made it through high school. My parents discussed my predicament with the school principal and with my teachers and requested that I would be given some special consideration. As a result of their meeting, Mary Ann Pacquing, the class president and one of the brightest students of the high school was assigned to be my Class Buddy. We always sat together in class and she would patiently explain some difficult topics and test instructions to me during class. She introduced me to areas in school which were previously unfamiliar to me, the canteen, the library and the students’ area. She eventually became my best friend and my only friend.

Despite the difficulties I encountered in my studies, it never entered my mind to give up my schooling and the dream of becoming somebody someday. Instead of being hurt by criticism… Instead of being weakened by frustration. I focused in believing in myself, and depended on the love, care and encouragement of my family and lived by my faith in God!

My mother told me that I learned to draw before I learned to write. My sketched lines and circles were good and I draw anywhere even on the walls and our sofa so my father bought me some coloring and drawing books so I can draw. They noticed that I was very good at it and encouraged me to continue practicing my skills using proper materials. My parents and siblings encouraged the development of my drawing skills by providing me with art materials.

At an early age (3 years old) I found solace in drawing because it’s a world where I can convey my ideas. My first recognition for my drawing happened during my pre-school days. My teachers would ask me to draw Christmas cards. They were unable to distinguish it from the original! When I graduated from Kindergarten, I was awarded “Best in Creative Arts”. In high school, I started using charcoal, oils and pastels for my paintings. I was motivated to improve my craft through constant practice. As the saying goes “practice makes perfect”.

In 1997, I was the Grand Prize Winner of the On-the Spot Drawing Contest during the vocational Diocese week, in San Fernando City, La Union.

After graduating from High School, I took the entrance examination for Architecture at St. Louis University, Baguio City and I passed the entrance examination. However, a friend of mine told me that UP Baguio is offering a course Certificate in Fine Arts so I went there to apply for the course. The entrance examination at the UP Baguio Fine Arts, centered on actual drawing and abstract reasoning. Applicants were asked to draw a statue and I passed the examination and was accepted at UP Baguio. We were very happy and my parents were very proud at me.

Life was better at UP Baguio because I was accepted by my peers and teachers and was treated as an equal. Sometime, they would joke about my conditions but it was okay for me. I gained more friends. My art professors, art classmates / friends truly helped me alot. I received College Scholar. After graduation in 2001, I asked my parents to allow me to earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts / Master in Fine Arts at UP Diliman, Manila but their fear of my safety made them decline my request.

In 2001 - 2002, To earn some money, I painted face / body painting, henna tattoos, gave tutorial classes in painting to a few kids, made props for the theater stages, did mural painting jobs and others.

In 2003, I was hired as a textile designer at PEZA ( Philippines Economic Zone Authority) in Baguio City for 6 months with a salary of 5,600 pesos ( US $115 ) a month, doing 20-70 designs per day. It was a very tiring job. But my experience at PEZA has further enhanced my skill in drawing and illustration. Our supervisor, Kuya Robert was a very meticulous and a perfectionist boss. He constantly pushed me to improve my designs by adding more texture and giving special attention to details. He also taught me how to select the best colors for a design and theme. He trained me to give my best in all of my drawings and illustration and not be satisfied with mediocre work. My diligence paid off because after 4 months I was given a 5 peso ( like US cent 0.1 ) increase in my salary per day. He also told me that I was the most industrious worker of the company. Nevertheless the hard work took its tool and I lose weight. This alarmed my parents and asked me to resign from PEZA. After all these years I am still grateful to Kuya Robert for all the values he taught me. He has greatly influenced my style and attitude toward work.

In 2004, I started working as a freelance artist accepting commission work such as mural painting, logo making, making props and streamers, joined art contests, etc. I realized that it was true that artists are underpaid and underemployed. They are usually hired to make props, movie streamers, etc. I came face to face with the bleak prospect of being an artist. Then I discovered DeviantArt in the internet. DeviantArt is an art community where artists from around the world can show their work. Through the website I discovered a bigger world where I can freely express my talent and display my drawings and illustrations. I met new friends from around the world who shared my passion. Their arts also exposed me to different styles, concepts and new ideas related to colors, background, texture and more. People who are interested in arts saw my work in the internet and I started receiving praises and then commission work like the CD cover for the music album of Wickermoss. The positive outcome of my connection in the internet inspired me to open a website. I learned web site production and design through the internet tutorial program. I also took up short term computer course and Adobe photoshop at Lorma Colleges computer department for 2 months. This maybe one of the best decision I made in my life. The internet allowed me to show my art work all around the world. Then my art commissions increased from 3 to 4 commissions per year to an average 5 to 10 per month now.

My first national award was the PBBY (Philippine Board on Books for Young People) – Alcala Illustrators’ Prize held in 2003 where I won 3rd Place. I felt proud and very happy for my achievement. I did not expect to win in the competition because it was an open category illustrator contest where any artist can join including the professional painters and illustrators. I surprised a lot of people for winning the award.

Illustration was taught to us in college but I gave no interest on it. Earljohn, a bestfriend, ex-boyfriend and former art classmate in college, convinced me to try illustration when he observed that I was starting to become frustrated with realism painting, which was my initial style. He also believed that I am good in illustration. To learn more about illustration, I searched the internet and visited book stores and viewed at illustrated books. I studied how the illustrator interpreted the story and expressed the characters’ emotion through illustration. I also studied the different styles of famous Filipino illustrators like Beth Parrocha, Mark Salvatus, and Jomike Tejido. My interest in illustration was stimulated.

It was during my visit at National Book Store, that I came across a children’s illustration book published by Adarna Publishing House and there I found out about the PBBY – Alcala Illustrators’ Prize.

Two years later, I again joined the contest and won the National Grand Prize of the PBBY- Alcala Illustrators’ Prize. The title of the book was “The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots”. That same year the book also won the National Book Award for Children’s Literature, Manila Critics Circle.

In 2004 I was granted the Encouragement Prize, 14th Noma Concours for Picture Book Illustrations for my paintings of my mother’s story “The Boy From Cotabato”, in Japan.

Last August 2008, I was unexpectedly contacted by BBDO Guerrero an Advertising Agency about a project proposal. I was selected as 1 of the 3 Filipino artists to make print ad for the Philippines Department of Tourism .The print ad was used for posters, billboards in different countries and was also published in Forbes and Fortune Magazines. I also did the illustrations used in the animated TV commercial of the Philippine Department of Tourism Project, "Live Your Dreams”. The TV commercial was shown in ANC, CNBC, CNN and in other few countries.

Moreover, the Preview Magazine chose me as one of the 24 most creative Pinoys for 2008. When I learned about it, I was in total euphoria especially when we had the photo shoot with the other winners. Recently I was selected, Best 200 Illustrators Worldwide for 2009 by Luerzer's Archive in Austria for my black and white illustration about my life entitled “Confusion”.

As I mentioned earlier, one important factor that contribute to my growth as an illustrator was the internet. It gave me access to various opportunities that enable me learn more about illustration. It also allows me to study the works of foreign as well as local illustrators and gave me a chance to market and advertised my work locally and internationally. Through the internet I was able to join art exhibits in several Galleries in Manila, United States (thanks to Nucleus Gallery and Bear+Bird Gallery), France (thanks to my wonderful talented friend Nicolas Gouny), Japan, and London (thanks to Darren Di Lieto).

Last December 2008, my sister Erica and I created the Kirkus Shop at Etsy.com. We sell handmade items like bracelets, coin purses, etc. My specialized hand-carved rubber stamps and small paintings are in demand. So far the shop is doing well and I have some good customers.


Reflecting on my past experiences I can honestly say that I am very grateful for what I have become. Looking back, it seems unexpected that I will attain success in life because of my disability. But now I believed that anything is possible if you and OTHERS believe that you can. Allow me to enumerate some of the factors that made me reach my present situation.

First of all, the love, care and support of my parents and relatives inspired me so much. Despite many attempts of our society to make the life of the special individuals better, the stigma attached to us remains obvious. To many people, being disabled equates failure. Because to them being disabled is in itself failure. And since they accept us as failure, some don’t attempt to help us improve and develop because they believe that we are disabled then there is nothing they can do to help us grow. So they just make our life better. But I believe that we can improve the quality of our life by developing our knowledge, skills and character. All that is needed is for US and OTHERS to believe that we can. We should never give up because we are disabled. People, most specially the parents and relative should not just accept us for what we are. It’s more important for them to help us discover and develop our talents nurtured with love, care and patience. It may take some time but we have a lifetime to discover and develop our talents. Just like what my parents did to me. They focused on my 20% hearing and skill in illustration and developed it through love and care. We should not remain as disabled but we should aspire to become a productive and able members of the society.

Secondly, to the schools which accepted me in spite of the disability – I’m indebted to all of you. Schools must open their doors to students with disabilities. They should offer courses and trainings to empower students like us. Although I wanted to be treated equally… a little discrimination is okay. We must accept that we are different and have special needs. There should be a department or council that will look into the needs of disabled. The Buddy System designed for me was vital in helping survive my High School days.

Finally, we should develop the Strength of Character. People like us must develop a strong character. My condition has exposed me to ridicule, unequal treatment and even harassment, but I never allowed those painful experiences weaken my character. I did not believe people who told me that I am dumb or monster. I told myself that it’s not true and that I am better and I can do things that normal children do. I never stop learning. I constantly look for ways to learn and grow mentally and search for other sources of knowledge. I didn’t limit my learning inside the classroom. I explore opportunities available to me in order to learn and grow professionally. We must believe in our capabilities for this is essential to success.

According to HELEN KELLER, an American blind and deaf writer/lecturer: "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved."

At this stage in my life I know that still have a lot of this to do to fully realized my dreams of becoming a successful artist. I constantly improve my skill through practice, benchmarking and consciously exploring opportunities to grow and improve my skills. I dreamed of becoming an animator someday... I also dreamed of having a solo art show.

My hearing may be impaired by 80% but I lived life a hundred percent. According to Steven Covey, we do not have any control of 10% of what happen in life, however, 90% of our life depend on how we react to what we cannot control. I do not have any control of the fact that I was born with hearing impairment, but my reaction to it got me to where I am today. This is the message that I would like to share to everyone. It’s how we look at life, it’s how we take life, and it’s how we live life that matter the most! As one of the ads say, “IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING!”


A pleasant morning to all...
- Mall

200 Best Illustrators worldwide 09/10

Confusion
personal work for my art diary

Yesterday, my mama got a phone call and called me "May Ann! Phone!" I went down and I told her "But mama, I can't answer that phone 'coz of my hearing deficiency... unless I can read their lips so I would understand what they're talking." Mama didn't understand what they were talking because of the uncleared sound during long distance telephone. I told her "Uhmm, tell them it's better to email me." Then I checked my email after a few hours. When I read it, I was speechless. My heart was beating so fast. An email from Luerzer's Archive said that I got selected from more than 4000 illustrations. My old personal work Confusion is going to be published of Best 200 Illustrators worldwide (Luerzer's Archive 09/10) soon. Sniff, I'm quite happy, I still can't believe it. Thank you so much for selecting me, Luerzer! :)

Apart from that, I received a customized vinyl toy from my client Nick. It's named Mellow, created by Christopher Lee. Mellow is extremely cute yet sad. He makes me wanted to hug him tightly, awwww. Nick requested me to customize it, I was super thrilled because this is my first time. In April, I'll be ready to paint Mellow into dreamy, mystical one. I can't wait to start doing my rough studies! Thanks to Nick, who let me to take my time. I'm so happy that my customized toy will be part of Nick's Mellow collections soon.

By the way, I also received a package from Nucleus Gallery. They wanted me to sign my name on 25 limited prints "The Notorious Ornate Horned Frog". The prints are so beautiful! I'll send them back to Nucleus Gallery next week. Don't forget to watch them when they will launch them on their site, only 25 limited prints! I greatly thank to Nucleus Gallery for supporting me and my art! I really appreciate it! In time, I would love to meet Nucleus Gallery people in person!

And I'll list my original small ACEO paintings in my Etsy shop (UPDATED: Philippines time: Sunday, 11:55pm... Sorry, I didn't list them on Etsy last night it's because of Earth day, no electricity. It's good for Mother Earth.). It's USD$25 each small colored painting. The medium is acrylic and colored pencil on paper. The size of each painting is 3.5" X 2.5" inches. Good luck, art buyers!

Curious Octopus
- SOLD -

Upset Daruma
- SOLD -

And the rest is.... my art progress for the art group show, "Blue Tsunami Queen".

I might not be active on internet for few days. My mama and I are going to Manila to give my speech to the deaf students in De La Salle College of Saint Benilde on the first week of April. I'm still nervous, wish me luck! And congratulation to my dearest sister Erica for her nursing graduation! Hooray!

I'll miss you guys! See you all!

P.S. I'll reply to all of you in my previous blog entry soon. thanks for the lovely comments!

Quiet Art Progresses....

"Red Tsunami Queen" art progress for the White Box Studio, Cubao Manila. I portrayed myself except my short hair. I will post my two latest paintings and give you guys more information about the exhibit on May.

"Big Gossip" art progress for selling. Thanks God that I finally finish this mixed media painting this time. I didn't have time to finish it during my past commissions last year.

Two colored ACEO art pieces for selling. I'll list them on my Etsy shop next week.

More news. More events. More running errands. More family activities. I need to focus on my work 100% right now. And good news, I'm so excited to make my speech for the deaf students from De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, Manila. They need me to encourage and inspire them. I'll go to De La Salle with my mama in the first week of April. Wish me luck! See you guys next time! I will go to Angeles City, Pampanga with my mama and Erica to see my relatives on Sunday. Hope you guys are having a great day!