Sweet February

"Abu... is this tree called Love?" Babu asked.
"Puuurrrrrrr..." Abu purred happily.

In the memory of my persian cat, Abu.

Oh Happy Day...

I made this new quick sketch today. I was very inspired by Winsor McCay, one of my biggest influences. Ahh, I feel good when I enjoy doing rough sketches.

Anyway, I didn't know why I got many unique visitors today, so look at this screenshot. Then someone emailed me, I felt shocked. I am one of the 5 finalists for the Best Asian Weblog in Eighth Annual Weblog Awards. I was like, "Oh really... is this true? Susmaryosep!!!" Honestly, I must confess that I thought my blog was just ordinary, hehehe. Really, I'm serious. Ahhh, this made my big day... Unbelievably, I keep smiling through the whole day.

I would be completely pleased if you vote for me for the Best Asian Weblog then I give you my big hug, hehehe. *winks* Thank you very much for your support! I also give my big thanks to Annie-Kate and other unknown voters, who nominated me.

See you guys!

Studies...

My characters Babu and his kitten Abu studies for a future group show at Nucleus Gallery. I'll show you guys my four wooden paintings next time.

Manigong Bagong Taon!

The new works of my characters Babu and his kitten Abu

Here are my five paintings for the "Small Stuff", Bear and Bird Boutique + Gallery in South Florida, USA. If you're interested with my works (look below), please contact Amanda amanda at tatescomics.com with any questions or purchasing.

"Babu and his kitten Abu: Spring"
6x10" Acrylics + Colored Pencil + Dried Flowers on Wood, $200

"Babu and his kitten Abu: Summer"

6x10" Acrylics + Colored Pencil on Wood, $200


"Babu and his kitten Abu: Autumn"
6x10" Acrylics + Colored Pencil + Dried Leaves on Wood, $200


"Babu and his kitten Abu: Winter"
6x10" Acrylics + Colored Pencil + Dried Leaves on Wood, $200

"Babu and his kitten Abu: Mushroom Land"

8x10" Acrylics + Colored Pencil on Native Wood

This has SOLD to the super talented famous realistic painter Sas Christian (eeeee, I'm too thrilled! I never expected that Sas loved my work! I'm very distracted by her fabulous paintings especially gals' big eyes. Thank you so much, master Sas Christian!). Look at this work in progress below.

I also made another latest painting, Hide and Seek. Nah, this is not for the Bear and Bird gallery show. This is dedicated for my closest sweet lovely kind Portuguese twin friends, Susana and Patricia.

"Hide and Seek"
Acrylics + Coloured pencils + Dried leaves (from Portugal) on Philippine native wood, $450 (both paintings) + shipping additional

Please contact me if you wanna buy this. Hope you guys like my paintings! I'll make a few commissions and wooden paintings for the next 2008 US show. I'll also spend time with my family, relatives and friends for Christmas and New Year soon.

See you guys next year!
Happy Holidays!

The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots

I would like to share my wonderful story with you guys about my first children's book, "The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots".

2004 - Nikki Dy-Liacco won 2005 Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) - Salanga Writer's Prize, who wrote her entry, "The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots". I joined 2005 PBBY - Alcala Illustrator's Prize competition. I submitted my three illustrations for "The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots".

February 2005 - I checked my email about the winning results and it made me shocked. I won the Grand Prize, 2005 PBBY - Alcala Illustrator's Prize! I kept crying. Check this site out. You know, I think God gave me this blessing for my February birthday, oh my gosh... Yiipeeee!

March - April 2005 - I was working on illustrations. My medium was mixed media (acrylics, coloured pencils, old papers on wood). Hehehe, I loved to sit on the floor while working...


July 2005 - Nikki and I were at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Manila where the awarding ceremony held. It was so enjoyable and fun! Weee, we got gold medals! My gosh, we looked so gorgeous... hehehehe! *Nikki and Mall blushed...*

August 2005 - The 5,000 copies launched in nationwide. Nikki and I started to send copies to the families, friends and others here in Philippines and other countries (Portugal, USA, France, Australia, Germany, Indonesia, United Kingdom, Korea, Peru, Slovenia...) Because our character Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots always loves to meet new friends! *Nikki and Mall jumped excitedly...*

October 2005 - Nikki and I really enjoyed booksigning in National Bookstore, Glorietta, Manila! We really loved adorable sweet kids!

2006 - The 5,000 copies were SOLD OUT! Weeeee! *Nikki and Mall fainted...*

August 2006 - Nikki and I won the National Book Award for Children's Literature! Unbelievable! They reprinted another 5,000 copies for the 2nd printing. EEEeeeeee!!!! *Nikki and Mall screamed.....*

November 2007 - Nikki got a TV interview on ANC channel... MY GOSH! (Nikki, you must become a famous TV host... hehehe!) Hooray for Yellow Paperclip!

I never forget these happy moments. I'm so blessed to have met Nikki. She's very friendly, intelligent, witty, sweet, talkative and talented! She's one of my favorite writers. She's a good person. Please visit Nikki's blog.

Nikki and I are so blessed because The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots is our FIRST CHILDREN'S BOOK. Hopefully, we could have another future children's book again.

Autumn Princess

Last year I worked this old commissioned painting for Dr. Mario Bautista (surgeon), who operated my tummy. Please click this big photo collage to view.

I got those those dried leaves from my garden before making the painting. Nature always inspires me. This medium is acrylics + coloured pencils + dried leaves on native plank wood.

Small Stuff!

"SMALL STUFF"
Bear and Bird Boutique and Gallery
November 24 - December 29, 2007
Small Stuff opens at 7pm on Saturday, November 24th.
Lauderhill, Florida, United States

Small Stuff is going to work a little differently than our usual shows: All artwork will be sold "cash and carry" - first come, first served! Everything available will be on display opening night, nothing held back! The sooner you come, the more you’ll see! Through December 29th. Original artwork makes an amazing and unique gift, whether you're just starting or adding to an art collection!

Featuring artwork from local, national and international artists!
Adam Koford / Anna Polonsky / Barrett Stanley / Bee / Benjamin Constantine / Brad Simon / Chris Crites / Danamarie Hosler / Danielle {knee} Estefan / Danielle Lamberti / Danny Brito / Duane Hosein / Eric Bryan / Helena Garcia / Jamila Houde / John Koleszar / Johnny Winslow / Justin Rose / Keith Ciaramello / Lisa Marie Godfrey / Liz Lorini / Luis David Llense / Manuel Aguilera / Marcos Rivera / Marjorie Liucci / Matte Stephens / Mauricio Salmon / May Ann Licudine / Melissa Stringer / N! Satterfield / pooka.machine / Ryan Myers / Sarah J. Pierce / Sarah Machicado / Scott Campbell / Skot Olsen / Surge / Terribly Odd / AND MORE!

Sneak peek at my five newest wooden paintings which I will be exhibiting at the Small Stuff show!

Okay, I'll go to USA with my dad and my relatives for taking vacations this November month. By the way, don't forget to email me if you have any information, I really hope I could be online sometimes! I'll be back in December! I miss you all! Ciao!

My Old Work in Progresses (Digital Art)

First, I make sketches on paper. Second, I scan them. Third, I use Adobe Photoshop 7 for coloring and adding more details. I'm so happy that my digital style looks so traditional. Please click these screen shots to full view.

I didn't finished this digital artwork (girl character) because of my broken tablet pen. Hu hu hu... Well, I'll try to use my poor mouse. Argh, I wish I could buy Wacom Intuos... oh, wait, I wanna iMac!

Anyway, my dearest twin friends Susana and Patricia asked me to draw my characters Babu and Abu on my foot! Susana also drew something on her leg for me! Take a look, it's so silly and fun! Hahaha! Next time, I'll draw something on my arm!

Quack!

I love doing more sketches of my characters Babu and his kitten Abu. Next time, I should do more comic strips, just like Little Nemo in Slumberland by Winsor McCay, who is one of my favorite artists. Maybe I could entitle "Babu and his kitten Abu in Dreamland". What do you think?

Me and my tiger Shardul

ROARRRrrrr.
I took these webcam photos last year.

Patience

I made another personal pencil drawing for my art diary. The size is 6.3" x 6.3". The symbol of those old pine trees describes many past true blessings (my art awards, commissions, gifts, family, friends, good grades, etc.) which I have received.

However, I am waiting patiently for the new little plant, which means my future lovelife. I wonder if this little plant could live or die? blessing or curse? approval or disapproval? good luck or bad luck? I really don't know. I am single for 10 months and I really hope I will not be hopeless for my future lovelife. I wait patiently for a new blessing or curse in unexpected way... Patience. Persistence. Perseverance.


I dedicate this illustration to my beloved long ex-boyfriend Earljohn.
Thank you very much for everything. Know that you were biggest part of my life. Urayin ka, Earl.