During typhoon

Hello guys! How are you all doing? We are at least okay! Sadly, my garden got damaged by a super typhoon. My pets are really okay, glad they didn't fly away by strong winds, hehe. This typhoon started after I finished my 5th & 6th paintings. The sound of the strong winds scared me. I laid down on my bed and looked at my window.

Argh, we got no electricity. So I went to the other room, locked the windows, doors, etc. I checked the window... Eeepp, it looked like a tsunami! I must admit that I really wanted to go to the beach and take pics there, just like the National Geographic adventure... But it was too dangerous for me, haha! I was thinking of myself, "Mmmm? No way Mall. Stay here. You're so crazy Mall. STAY DRY, DON'T GO OUT." As a matter of fact, the angriest sea waves attacked my house in 1990's year.

Yeah, I kept busy when I worked on my 7th piece during no electricity / typhoon. Then I wrapped my Joby Gorillapod tripod around my neck. Hehehehe, it was so fun... ah well, I felt bored.

OH WAIT! I forgot to share my funny webcam pics before the typhoon arrived. So there... My GF1 camera + Joby Gorillapod tripod stalked me. So creepy.

Ok ok, forget my silly funny webcam pics, let me continue to share my story... Yep yep, I felt quite bored when I created my graphite drawing for less than 30 minutes. I looked at my drawing and I realized, "Hmmm, wait... OMG, she looks like Audrey Kawasaki! awwww.... I shouldn't add an extra mole!" I should give my drawing to Audrey. I am waiting for her email reply patiently. :)

When I woke up, we got electricity, yey! But my internet connection got damaged. So I started watching the Akira Kurosawa marathon. I was in awe with Kurosawa's concepts, stories, etc. "Dreams" film is the best.

After few days, my net is back but so slow! Currently, I'm working on 8th & 9th pieces. I adore glowing jellyfish & amphipod. 2 big wood panels are for Gallery Nucleus and 7 small pieces are for Gallery1988. I can't wait to finish the last two ones! Ciao! When I have time, I'll reply to you all in my previous blog entries! Hugs!

Clarifying

Today, I found out. I wasn't happy that they said something on other site, something like "Mall is wrong to use $%#$@ epoxy-resin clay without GLOVES 'coz it's dangerous! She should need to learn!" I was like, "Whaat?" That made me sad & disappointed. Hey, I mean that it's not a epoxy-resin from autobody car parts like two-part glue variety (not craft-sculpture category).

Before you guys misunderstand, I tell you the truth, I am always careful and observant to read art materials / crafts before using. I used MAGIC SCULP, it's safe. Visit to read more details / information about Magic Sculp http://www.magicsculp.com/

Magic Sculp is just like Apoxie or Milliput (two-part epoxy-resin mixture clays), which I made small ears for my first Mellow custom toy, The Midnight Garden of Great Owl.

So my skin is not sensitive to the chemical composition. I'm not only one, there are many professional / amateur sculptors (especially famous toy / doll makers) in public sites / blogs / forums and Flickr. Yes, OBVIOUSLY. If your skin is SENSITIVE, then use GLOVES, be sure to test it before using clay. If you're unsure, get to know more information on Magic Sculp site and Apoxie site. If it's impossible for your sensitive skin, use paper clay, terra cotta or something friendly like plaster of Paris OR DIY cold porcelain (mix all non-toxic ingredients: cornstarch, glue, cream, etc.)

BEFORE YOU START WORKING ON YOUR FIRST CUSTOM TOY, I recommend you to read all instructions about making custom toy, here's a link: KidRobot Discussion. That's how, where and what I learned from KidRobot masters / toy makers before I worked on my first custom Owl toy.

Don't judge nor misunderstand me because of the material I use on my sculpture. You can ask me kindly before making final judgement. But for my own rights and art style, I can't share my secret art techniques / materials. No one is perfect but importantly, we must take care of our health and of course, we must be CAREFUL. Better learn, study and research about materials before using.

Just like " Better safe than sorry ".

Thank you so much.

- Mall

Beloved

Hello! I forgot to post my previous webcam picture of me and Yoka toy ( haha, we used sign language " C " ). I looked tired, exhausted & thin haha! I missed my food schedule when I worked on Yoka toy, eep! Don't worry, I'll eat more healthy foods for gaining my weight, I promise. Wow, I never expect that I received a ton of comments & emails about my commissioned Yoka toy, short film & custom toys. I can't stop smiling, thank you so much for making me huge happy, I feel like a cheerful kid. Many people asked me to do more videos. Well, maybe, maybe... I really hope I may have time to do my next short video for my February birthday ( I MUST DO IT because I already got wonderful ideas about my new story. ) Let's see, let's see.

Anyway, I have created my new original graphite piece, "Beloved", which I am donating to the charity show Busted Foundation, to help benefit women who are battling breast cancer. This project is wonderfully great! It reminds me of my mama, who suffered from her breast cancer disease past years ago. Then, she survived after her right breast has been removed. I'm in awe of the great strength, courage & positivity of my mama. That's what she taught me how to face my enormous challenges, my poor communication / grammatical errors, troubles, trials, bullies & low grades when I grew up with my inborn hearing deficiency for many years. So I did my graphite piece for this charity art auction, I want to help women to pay bills & afford treatment.

I can't remember the size of my drawing, maybe it's 9" x 12"... ( Oh, I'm always forgetful! ) The auction will go live next Sunday, October 10, 2010. Some of the hottest lowbrow artists have contributed original pieces and prints. Here's a link to the auction: http://myworld.ebay.com/bustedfoundation/ Good luck on your bidding, guys! Please, let us support them! Thank you so much for inviting me, Diana!

How are you all doing? I'm pretty good nowadays, quite busy (heck yeah, crazily busy). I hold on art commissions first because I'm still working on my 9 personal artworks for the two upcoming December group shows in Gallery1988 and Gallery Nucleus. Here are my fresh home-baked cookies (hehe, I mean my latest paintings.) I'm super happy to paint my own characters Babu & Abu the kitten again, I want them to stay alive for years.

Okay, I might be quiet this October month 'coz of my art crazy schedule. If you want to say hello to me, just email me. I want to thank you so much for enjoying my art again. Ciao!

Yoka

In August 2009, my client Brenda from States discovered my art in Gallery Nucleus during Tree House show. She purchased one of my Tree House pieces. Later, she saw my commissioned Owl toy for my client Nick. She wanted a custom toy from me so I added her in my commission list. In March - June 2010 (I was working on other artworks for the shows/commissions), Brenda and I started discussing about her art requests. I really loved the way she communicated with me easily gently. Her art request said, " I'm thinking of something colorful (as with your typical palette). Maybe with a slight emphasis on orange & light blue/aqua colors. I want the piece to portray the emotions of happiness, laughter, compassion, love & connection (like a circle of life or we are all connected in some spiritual way). I like whimsical & natural elements (animals, tulips, trees, butterflies...) which is I adore your work! I also have not yet looked into a blank custom toy. Do you happen to know of any pandas? Can you paint a panda or several pandas? "

Then I kept browsing every different shapes / styles of custom blank toys like Munny, Dunny, etc... until I found Yoka on Flickr. Yoka is perfect for Brenda's requests. So I made sketches & sent them to her through email. After one month I waited for her, she finally replied to me & loved them all.

I figured it out that her dad passed away after battling his liver cancer for 18 months so Brenda was very behind on her emails. I felt so sorry, my deepest condolences... Then Brenda changed her mind and gave me new art requests: " On that somber note, I was also wondering if we can do a little tribute to my dad on that toy? Perhaps we can add a small drawing off to the side of the toy of a father holding hands with a a little girl / daughter & mother, or rooster, ox, rat, horse & dog? (they are based on Chinese zodiac signs of Brenda's family - her husband, brother & auntie). " Then she showed me her old family pictures from 1972 & 1975 (I really dig on their vintage photos, they looked quite clear like digital camera!) for my reference & my inspiration. But she explained to me that her parents were divorced.

And my final rough sketches. But I changed my few revisions (you guys will watch my Yoka video on YouTube below).

Full Body.

click to see this full LARGE VIEW.

More details.

Brenda created a new name for Yoka toy, "Xiong Mao Bao Bao" means panda baby in mandarin chinese. It's pronounced "Shong" with a long "o" sound.

Now, you guys are ready to watch my full Yoka video. I filmed with my Panasonic GF1 camera + Lumix 20mm f/1.7 pancake lens + Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 (handheld + tripod) and Nokton 50mm f/1.1 (tilt-shift technique by my hands). I can't upload my 600MB video on Vimeo because of 500MB per week only. So I chose YouTube, glad it's free.

TAKE NOTE: If you have a fast internet connection, I recommend you to use HD video (720p) on YouTube so the HD video image looks beautifully professionally clearer. When you have a slow internet, please change it from 720p to 480p / 360p. Enjoy viewing!

I cried when I said goodbye to Yoka. At least I'm happy that Brenda is happy to have him like a new family. Thank you so much for everything, Brenda!

UPDATED FOR GERMANY: I was surprised that I got emails from Germans that they can't watch my Yoka video on YouTube. It blocks Germany country only, it's so weird! I can do nothing with YouTube because it says, " No action is required on your part. Your video is still available everywhere not listed above. In some cases ads may appear next to your video. " YouTube sounds odd.

No worries, please watch my Yoka video on Vimeo site. Danke Schoen!

The Creative Dork's Interview with May Ann Licudine

My super talented creative Filipino friend Robx ( a.k.a The Creative Dork ) got interesting interview with me!

" Tell us more about your character Babu. What is his story? "

- Robx, thanks for asking this question. I am more than delighted to tell you that story. I wanted to create my own story after I discovered the fantastic artwork of one of my favorite comic artists, Winsor McCay - I was in awe with his drawings.

In 2004, I created Babu, but I didn't had more ideas of how to develop the story or if he was going to have friends, etc. Then, my Persian cat, Abu, died. I was extremely sad and thought about my homage to him by creating an illustrated character. That is how Abu was born and became Babu's bestfriend and partner in crime. Let me sum up the story for you..."

Click the site of The Creative Dork to continue reading the interview, don't forget to leave comments on his blog: www.thecreativedork.com

Robx, thank you so much for everything! Guys, please check his artworks out, I really adore his art! Maybe in time, I'll commission him to make a new website lay-out for renewing my old site, hehe! He's so cute, isn't he? His art is perfect for illustration, shirts, posters, website lay-outs, everything! If you want to commission him, contact him!

Vin & Shine

Okay, it's time to share my story with all of you about my new commissioned painting for my clients / couple Vin & Shine. In 2009 year, Vin discovered my art on Philmug forum & contacted me for adding him in my commission list. I felt quite pleased that Vin waited for me patiently. In June 2010, I have finished other artworks, I finally contacted him. Vin and Shine were overly excited that I was ready to do a commission for them.

We discussed about the concept, theme, colors, elements... He requested me: Hong Kong place, Tagaytay, beach, garden, Thailand dishes, traveling, his favorite stuff onitsuka sneakers, DSLR camera, his zodiac sign "dragon"... for Shine's skirt, iPod, flipflops, her zodiac sign "horse", etc. I said to him, "Hmmm! Your explanation reminds me of my past project Live your Dreams, right?" He said excitedly "yeah! Sorry if it could be complicated." Then Vin showed me his photos... Awww, they are happy adorable travelers!

So I referenced & observed those pics & made two rough sketches. They chose the first one.

Before I started painting, I finally bought my new acrylic paints. I think I love Golden more than Liquitex & Rembrandt / Talens. Because Golden acrylic paints are more vibrant, brighter thicker & softer! I have no idea that Golden is quite expensive. But still, I love my few special Liquitex & Rembrandt vibrant colors so I keep using them. I should buy more Golden materials when I'll visit Manila again.

My art progress pics.

Whew, it's done. Vin & Shine already love it! The size / medium is 10" x 17" mixed media on canvas. Many crazy elements & colors made my eyes tired, haha! Congratulations on your new wedding, Vin & Shine! May God fill you both with pure happiness, love, strength & more blessings!

Coming up. I'm still working on it. Ciao!