June Again

Ahhh... It's June again. Yep, yep, I'm still alive, hehehe. Sorry, I wasn't active past few days ago because I was spending time with my lovely relatives who visited us from Guam, USA for visiting my grandpa. We are very happy that he seems okay. However, he doesn't speak and walk. He always lays down on his bed. We keep taking care of him like we feed him some osterized foods with powdered medicines, talk to him about anything, change his clothes, wash his whole body, make him happy and comfortable, etc. Hope he will be able to talk and walk again.

I'm still waiting for Lin's response (Nuclear Gallery staff) about buyers' requests. Soon, I'll paint my next two commissions (two acrylics paintings, 24" X 36" each) for my wonderful intelligent lovely friend and client Cristina. Take a look below.

And I also started painting my unfinished mixed media piece, "Big Gossip" for sale.

Apart from this, remember what I told you about Merimask before? Weee, I bought a Red Fox Mask for my collection. It's quite awesome, isn't it? Merimask is awesomely talented!

I love love love love wearing this fox mask!!! Thanks Merimask!

By they way, I will be away for a few days. We will go to Manila for visiting my brother Jeremy. See you guys and hugs hugs hugs!

Our Journey Together

Hooray, I finished painting my commission, "Our Journey Together" for my dearest friend / client Stephanie. She and her husband Jeff love purple and brown colors, nature, flowers, mushrooms, snails, dragonfly, hummingbird, everything! Of course, I portrayed them, they look cute together! I'm very happy and pleased that they already liked it! Click this photo collage to view!

17" X 10" Acrylics + Coloured Pencils on Wood

Next, I'll make more art commissions for those buyers who saw my previous works through Nucleus Gallery. About the future book projects, hold on now, I should finish all of my waiting commissions first. I already wrote their names down. Thank you very much for your understanding and patience. *HUGS*

I can't believe that I am workaholic now. By the way, thank you very much for your deep concern and thoughts about my grandpa Pops. My family, friends, relatives and I are trying our best to keep him happy and praying for him.

Have a Wonderful Day!

Lolo Pops

Today, I sketched my grandpa Pops at the hospital. My young sister Erica saw my drawing. Our conversation was so funny:

Erica: Awwww... sweet. *smiles broadly*
Mall: Mhmm. *continues to sketch*
Erica: Awesome drawing. I wish he could smile.
Mall: Yeah, me too. *sighs deeply*
Erica: About your sketch... you know what, you must work as a court artist.
Mall: .... court artist??? O_O
Erica: Yeah. ^_^
Mall: Nah... no way. Suspects might stare at me when I could draw them. So scary.
Erica: Hehehe, if they stare at you, which means they fall in love with you. Don't worry, they can get cuffed so they won't kill yah. =^_^=
Mall: Silly, silly... What if they might scratch my face with their dirty sharp long nails? O_O
Erica: Nah. Anyway, isn't it so fun, aye? ^_^
Mall: leave me alone. >_>
Erica: HEK. HEK. HEK. *winks* What if they can pay you higher for making court sketches... Don't you?
Mall: I would love to... I better bring my pepper spray for my self-defense. >_>
Erica: Oh oh, what if you draw Paris Hilton at the court? @_@
Mall: AH! That's better because she's extremely rich! XD
Erica: I thought you didn't like celebrity suspects! Then give me your money! XD

Erica is so funny. Anyway, my grandpa Pops isn't okay yet. He looks thin now. I took my old photo of him in 2005. Isn't he sweet? I really hope and pray that he will get better soon.

Aya's Depression II

I made this commission, Aya's Depression II for my cool client Marcus Lo (He's a great guy!). I really enjoyed doing this very much. Please click this big photo collage to view.

9.5" X 28.25", Mixed Media

(Acrylic, Coloured Pencil, Graphite, Sand Iron, Gesso & Coffee on Acacia Plank Wood)

Next time, I'll make two plank wooden paintings, The Midnight Dreams of Aya for sale. By the way, I saw many wonderful rubber stamps in Etsy and Ebay but I can't afford them. So I better made my own rubber stamps... Ta-da! It went smooth. I stamped them on my big package for Marcus. It was so fun. When I have time, I'll make more rubber stamps especially circus fonts and my characters Babu and Abu! EEEEeeeEEEeeeeEEEEEee! I really miss my carving skills/ linocut skills!

Tomorrow I'll start painting my next commission for my wonderful lovely client / friend Stephanie. Look at my latest rough sketch below. And awww, Steph showed me her sweet photo of my sold original painting (Mysterious Cats) and other artists' great pieces.

For the new projects (new children's books, graphic novel & music album cover) whom I got emails past days ago, wait for my response patiently. I need to finish my present commisions first. Thanks for understanding me! That's all folks! Good day to all of you, good night to me!

P.S. My grandpa is still at the hospital. Hope he will get better soon!

Get well, Grandpa + Meme Teen

Sorry for not replying to my bloggers in my previous entry and other new people / clients who emailed me past few days. Because I was greatly sad and worried for my grandfather Pops' critical health. He got another brain stroke (now 5 times... he was a smoker before). His right body is already paralyzed and his left brain is damaged. He doesn't speak and wake up but he can listen. My family and I keep visiting and telling him some happy stories at the hospital. We continue to pray for him faithfully.

To my fellow bloggers and commentors, please wait patiently for my response. To my new clients, I'll let you know when I'm available for commissions. Of course, I'll continue to work on my new art pieces for my current clients: Stephanie, Marcus, Lorena and maybe 5 buyers from Nucleus Gallery.

Apart from this, I found an interesting meme Drawn yourself as a teenager from Drawn! I forgot to share my quick sketch with you guys. Click this to full view so you guys see how I look like. It's so fun and enjoyable! Now, I tag you all who read this! Oh, don't forget to give your tag link to Dave Valeza, who made his own idea "Drawn yourself as a teenager". Enjoy drawing!

Fairy + Robot Commissions

BEFORE: I made my crappy sketches for the fairy and robot commissions. I wasn't happy and comfortable with these so I said to my client Jack "Uhm, I'll need to start from scratch." When I looked at these, I became frustrated. I asked myself: "Mall? What? Don't you like this composition? Change it. Background? Fix it. Colors? Themes? Study and research it. What do kids do? What do kids feel? Understand their feelings and dreams! Think about it deeply crazily madly! Upgrade your skills, brunette dude girl!"

AFTER: Then I tried and tried until it went smooth. Taaa~~~DAH!


Hooray, I finished painting my pieces past few days. Whew. I really enjoyed improving my skills about backgrounds, compositions, colors and yes, challenging themes. I'm quite happy that my client Jack, his wife Tatiana and kids Melina & Alexi already love them.

Fairy Commission

9" X 12", Mixed Media on Arches Paper

Robot Commission

9" X 12", Mixed Media on Arches Paper

See more details:

Apart from this, I'm so happy that Nucleus Gallery made 8" X 10" prints (matte heavyweight) of my two pieces, The Sea Dragon and Bite Lite. US$20 only. Buy my prints on Nucleus print shop! Thanks, Nucleus Gallery folks!

I'll make more commissions and WIPs soon. Hmmm, I really miss my cat pets. I have to play with them this afternoon. Look at my cellphone photos of my favorite female cat pet, Flame (Abu's cat granddaugher). Whoa, she's a desperate cat model. See yah guys!

Commissions are CLOSED + WIP: Robot Work for Alexi

My art commissions are CLOSED now.

I got 9 or 11 waiting commissions, eeeppp! When I'll be finished my art pieces for clients and buyers, I'll let you know guys that I'll be available in making commissions again.

For those who emailed me and left comments on my blog, dA and Flickr, please wait patiently for my response. I have an internet problem nowadays so I got booted many times. So I was so frustrated with my crappy internet. Don't worry, I'll definitely reply to all of you guys! Thanks for understanding me!

Apart from this, my client Jack's adventurous son Alexi was so curious and eager to see my work in progress, I took quick photos for him. Hope you like it, dearest Alexi!

Jack sent me a photo of Melina and Alexi. So adorable! I love them!.
Thanks for sharing your true dreams, emotions and interests with me, kids!

Goodnight and Sweetdreams!

WIP: Fairy Commission for Melina

I'm still working on my unfinished commission for my client Jack's beautiful daughter, Melina. I can't wait to finish the robot one for Alexi (Jack's handsome son) soon. Anyway, Melina made her adorable fairy drawing for me. Absolutely sweet. She's such a sweetheart. I love her!

Apart from this, My close friend Leficia from Australia, who made a knitted beanie for my super belated birthday. She wanted to take a photo of me with handmade beanie. Awwwww... she's such a big talented darling, aye? She knows that I'm a beanie collector (I have more than 20 different beanies, anyway.) Friendship, Love and Trust are priceless, aye?

Whew... dang, I'm a need to finish my 5 awaiting commissions.... busy busy busy busy... I need to have more more more energy!!!! GAMMMBBAARREEEE!!!!!! KAYAAA KOOO YAAAANNNNN!!!!!!! I wanna eat a watermelon right now.... *Mall is so hungry...* It's unbelievable that the weather is totally hot here, like 37-39 degree Celsius. Ohhhh..... Anyway, I think I might be inactive nowadays, I should finish all of my commissions. See you guys soon!

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.....