4 Wooden Paintings + My Photography

Here are my 4 paintings for the 3rd Annual Power in Numbers, Nucleus Gallery. My pieces are small like postcard size in acrylics + coloured pencils on wood. DANG, they are quickly SOLD when the exhibit opens! Oh man, I'm crying now. OHMAIIGAWD, I can't believe this. I was like, "God, why did you bless me? Oh why Lord why why? Why did you surprise me? Words fail me, O Lord... ohmaiigawd...!" I'm very proud of my own characters Babu and his kitten Abu.

Sea Dragon
Niwashi no Babu-kun(Babu The Gardener)
Light Bite
Babu at the Torii

Here are my previous rough sketches. I must admit that I love these pencil pieces more than coloured ones. Because remember, pencil is my all-the-time favorite medium, hehehe.


Apart from this, I would like to share my photography with you guys. Before I did my rough sketches and coloured ones for the Nucleus Gallery, I got simple ideas from my garden. Nature always inspires me. Every 5 p.m., I always walk outside around my garden, play with my cats (my past cat pet Abu's family), dogs, goats and chickens, check my own old terra cotta sculptures (pigs and dog) and look something weird. It's like Hayao Miyazaki's film, My Neighbor Totoro. Sigh, I wish Totoro could visit and hug me in person at my garden! Then I wanna ride on the Catbus! Eeeeeeee!!!!! I love green and brown colors!


Good night and sweetdreams, guys!

RIP: John Waterson + The Boy from Cotabato

John Waterson aka BluTack was passed away in the 13th of March 2008. He was only 23 years old. I just read this belated bad news on deviantART today. Everyone (deviants) says that he killed himself because he was depressed.

BluTack was extremely unique talented. I want to share with you, my fellow bloggers and readers... this very special tribute, featuring his incredible paintings below.

I'm feeling bad for him. He wasn't my friend but he was on my devwatch list. I remember that BluTack faved my old winning work for the 14th Noma Concours, "The Boy from Cotabato" in 2006. BluTack's message commented on my deviation, "I love this <3". Then I was so thrilled because I was his huge fan before. Today, I was reading the story of my old work "The Boy from Cotabato" after checking BluTack's favorites.

The Boy from Cotabato
unpublished story (summary of the story) by Arlene Licudine, my mama

“Where could Mama and Papa be?” Ron was talking to himself as he stared at the window…

One early Sunday morning Ron and his parents, found themselves in the middle of the war between the government troops and the rebels. Living in the outskirt of Cotabato, they have been used to witnessing these encounters. As his parents ran for cover, a stray bullet pierced his Mama’s chest. She stumbled into the dirty road and shouted “Don’t mind me! Take Ron to safety… Please!” Papa gave Ron to a stranger and went back to help his wife. Unfortunately, they both lost their lives.

Ron was brought to an orphanage where he stayed with the other children. He would often sit in the corner and wait for his parents to come and take him home. At times he would gaze at the sunset and feel the love for his parents rushing into his heart.

…as the sun sets, he decided to look for his parents. He crept silently out of the orphanage home. He walked and walked until he reached the city. Not minding the vehicles passing by, he kept on calling “Mama! Papa! Where are you?” Then “Bang! “ He felt dizzy. Then he felt a warm gentle breeze carrying him up, up. “Is this the love I’m looking for?” A very bright light blinded him. Suddenly he heard the soft whisper of his mother “Shhhh…. don’t cry my angel. You’re here now”. He turned and saw his mother and father gazing at him lovingly. They hugged him… and Ron felt so happy.

“The child! The child was hit!” The truck driver came down so fast and went to see the boy. “He’s dead!” People came rushing towards the boy whose face was lighted with a smile.

Acrylics on Strathmore, 15" X 22" inches each
2004 © May Ann Licudine

After reading this story, I cried a little bit because it made me realized that Heaven put a huge smile on BluTack's face. Thank you very much for sharing your enigmatic unique bizarre art and inspiration with us, John. Rest in Peace.

"Lisa" by John Waterson

Read more about him:
Nichola aka PinkPaint's dA journal
Lucas' dA article
The Creepy Machine

Dedication for Maurice Sendak

Today I dedicated this quick fan art for Maurice Sendak, who is one of my biggest influences. Hehehe, I borrowed Max's costume to dress Babu up so he danced with a wild monster and Abu. This medium I used is Mongol jumbo pencil and coupon bond. Heck yeah, I love MONGOL pencils at all times!!!

Next time, I'll make another dedication for Edward Gorey (of course, another influence....) I was done painting my commission for Future Human today. Hope my client will like it soon. Wow... I think I will be busy this April.

Happy Happy Tuesday! See you guys!

My Wishlist

Whew... I'm taking a break from my recent commission work. How are you guys doing? I'm just resting and looking at those wonderful stuff in Etsy. In 2007, I saw my very trusted close friend Ninke's blog about her Etsy shop (Pepperberry Studios). I am falling in love with her silver rings. So I visited her Etsy shop and whoa, there were a lot of wonderful things from great sellers. Hehehe, I think Ninke made me hooked up with Etsy. Tee hee! *hugs*

My interests are forest, nature, boyish colors (green, brown, blue, gray, black, violet), tigers, Japanese masks, beanies, boxers, stripes, mushrooms, unique things, adventurous stuff... Now, I'm writing my wishlist down here.

I like Ninke's super adorable ring. I feel like I live this little home. "Home is where the heart is..." she says. Awww!

The whimsical figurines of Andy's Rascals are absolutely sweet!

Oh my gosh, I love these cool wallets from Brave Moonman.

Hmmm, this earthy wallet from Rosy Bird is so fresh like a Mother Earth.

I would love to wear these Japanese masks by Merimask. I like to scare everyone. Boo!

Oh man... When will I wear these unique bracelets from The Gooseflesh Boutique??? Honestly, I'm a beach lover. I'm so lucky to live my house near a peaceful beach here.

Need to hug a real hard tree? Why don't you try these green man pillows by Mimi Kirchner... Hmm so soft and fresh... Oh mama mia...

If I could wear these colorful bracelets of Kjoo, I miss my childhood memories. Nostalgic!

Stripes? Check. Beanie? Check. Poncho? Check. Unique style? Check, of course. Aye aye, This complete eco-friendly hoodie poncho is made by Helen Hats. Incredible!

Wanna be a Indiana Jones Girl? Hiking Woman? Crocodile Hunter? I should be... I should wear this hot leather bag by Pursecutions so I could put my little knife, bombs, tiny weapons, James Bond's gadgets, etc. in it for my self-defense, eh?

Vintage tape measures? I don't know why I love these. Tape owl plushie by Strawberries and Creams. Measuring Tape Multi-Color Pouch by Pieces of Kandee.

I wanna cuddle these forest creature by Little Black Forest.



Cold feet? Awww, wear these colorful felt socks by Paw Felts.



Tired of ordinary costumes? Better to wear this Unordinary one.



I wish I could buy these cool bags for putting my art materials (or any objects) in them. Massive Messenger Bag by Camel Bags. Small Leather Artist Bag by Callie Co.

Whew... When I have money, I'd love to buy them all!!! I better sleep now! I'll make my future post about my wishlist part two next time! I enjoy seeking these wonderful stuff. Just like, I love to seek Asian artists as a new contributor for Startdrawing.org. Goodnight and sweetdreams! Enjoy visiting Etsy!

P.S. Thank you very much for everything, Ninke (Kerstin). You're my big inspiration!

P.P.S. Zzzzzz....zz.zz....z........z.....

Aya's Depression

Oh! I forgot to post my old piece, "Aya's Depression". I used acrylics, coloured pencils and lead pencil on wood. I must admit that I did this during my past depression last year. Sorry guys, it's not for sale. I was inspired by Francisco Goya's Black Paintings. Indeed, he was quite enigmatic and unusual, aye? Nope nope, I'm not interested in death and macabre but I just like Goya's black style. Hmm, I love this depressed lil' character girl, I should cheer her up, hehehe!

Sneak peek: My recent work in progress, "Future Human" for front and back music album cover. I can't wait to make another back inlay!!! I'll need to finish this before making new paintings for my two clients! I know, I'm so busy... See you in April! Kudos!