A recent illustration gig has kept me away from my current personal work recently--a very welcome distraction, of course. Today is finally a day off for me to stretch my legs in the studio and return to some unfinished business. Notably, my new "tribe" series (I don't have a name for it yet). What got me going with this initially was a quick online research of indigenous tattoos in Filipino tribal culture. I love tattoos, both from a design perspective and a cultural/anthropological one. I find myself regularly returning to google with more tattoo questions and explorations. So I decided, why not create some illustrations based on this little past time of mine? So I have.
My focus, however, is on the nostalgic power of the indigenous ink. There has been a surge in tribal tattooing in the last few years. I know a few tattoo artists back home in the Philippines who have noted the increase of requests for tribal tattoos. Despite the fact that they look cool, there's also an element of an investigation of the past that drives people to them. The past certainly plays a powerful role on how we see ourselves in relation to others. Indigenous culture, in particular, plays a nostalgic role in our connecting the dots of "who we are" and "where we come from". And it is nostalgic because it is something we can only look back to, outside of our own experiences; yet it affects the way we perceive things, and how we navigate forward in life.
These tattoos/marks/symbols have become powerful self identifiers; tools for personal empowerment. They represent a whole range of ideas and concepts that are unique to an individual, but also may provide them with a sense of belonging to something greater then just themselves. This is also why, traditionally, indigenous tattoos have very specific designs that determine belonging to different social groups, communities or tribes (that sets them apart from each another), as well as one's place within a social group that they belong to.
My drawings explore the nostalgic effect that symbols make in creating a unified sense of identity--an imagined past shared by all. And particularly how it has become entrenched in popular culture. I am using bright and glossy colors, and patterns that we see everywhere. I'm not the only artist fascinated by this subject. In fact, I see influences of folk art everywhere from the visual arts to music. We all romanticize the past, and hope to become better versions of ourselves because of it.
Some of the tattoos I am drawing don't even exist (patterns that have come from my own subconscious and imagination) and some are hybrids of different ones chosen by random. This is not, however, a project on propaganda (though that would be interesting too), but one on how the social imagination can be broken down into symbols that inform personal narratives and histories. I also thoroughly enjoy drawing them.
I started with graphite directly on the un-primed wood. I wanted to use the wood texture for his skin.
Then I finished him off with some acrylics and water color, and later coated with a gloss-medium varnish.
I got myself working on a few illustration pieces on wood panel. So far I've created three little tribal figures and am exploring different ways to present them. I just finished painting this little one using acrylics, indian ink, water color on a 5"x5" clay board. Although the colors pop out more on clay, I think I prefer wood panel. I'll be posting the other ones soon. More on this series later....
I always remember Earth Day on April 22 because it happens to be the day after one of my great friend Anna's birthday. Receiving Earth Day campaigns on my email remind me not to forget to send Anna a special something! This year, it's even more pronounced on my calendar because it heralds a period in my life where I left the hustle and bustle of the city to go farming in Hawaii for three months. Earth Day reminds me that the trials and tribulations of the last year were, well, worth it. I feel that I am on the verge of a triumphant victory against some of the demons that have kept me back for so long. And so much of it had to do with stepping back and not just smelling the roses, but actually planting them, and watching them grow (imagine kale instead of roses for a more literal picture).
After my stint in Hawaii, I traveled back home to the Philippines where I spent plenty of time on farms outside the city to meet with farmers and see what kinds of progress were being made in food production; but also, more importantly, what kinds of challenges the farmers were facing. I spent a lot of time getting to know the work of a local agriculture and renewable energy nonprofit, SIBAT (Sibol ng Agham at Teknolohiya/Wellspring of Science and Technology). Despite their hectic schedule, I was given all the time I needed to ask my questions and work with them on some of their programmatic challenges. The Philippines needs more support in this sector, and nonprofits like SIBAT, which are few and far between, are at the front lines of this uphill battle.
Now that I'm back in San Francisco, it's been a whirlwind few months of cracking down on my priorities as a full-time artist, while also building on my farming experience of the past year. If I could have a 2 acre farm in my own backyard; have it in the city; and have a studio built into it, I'd definitely be living in a dream and I wouldn't dare pinch myself.
Just a couple shots of last weekend's show at Cellspace...
Pulsar, 2011 (on show at Cellspace)
I will be showing with seven other artists in Cellspace this Saturday and Sunday (April 16 and 17). Come by from 10am-6pm on either day to see my latest work that are available for sale, and meet other artists from the neighborhood. Most artist studios will be open this weekend as well, so you will not be short of artsy creations to view and check out.
Cellspace
2050 Bryant Street,
San Francisco, CA
click for Google maps
Another cute little illustration I've made available as giclee prints on my ETSY online store . I've been doodling a lot in between bouts of mental exercise over my larger scale paintings. I find it quite therapeutic to step out of the "serious" zone and into a more relaxed world of doodles that are easy on the eyes and the mind. And to top it off, I've been thinking a lot about working on a children's book as a personal project of mine--which explains my pastel state of mind. This all depends on how far I go with my paintings, which currently is in dire need of my full attention. 
Chick's Day Out, 8.5"x11", giclee print
I wanted to share a photo my mum sent me after she promptly framed a print she bought from my ETSY store. It feels great to see one of my prints framed so nicely! I also love the effect of the mirrors in this image. My mum multiplied by eight--scary thought!
Look for my studio #331 on the 3rd floor of Art Explosion Studios
Spring Open Studios is here. Every neighborhood in San Francisco is participating and most artist studios have been open to the public since last weekend. This Friday kicks off Open Studios in the Mission neighborhood, where my studio is located (and which is, in my humble opinion, the coolest neighborhood in town). The energy level is up up up, and artists are in their studios getting them ready for people to come view their current work, get acquainted with their local artists, and hopefully even purchase some art--all done with a very generous helping of wine, cheese and crackers (thank you Trader Joe's!). If you want to come see me and my current work, I will be showing at Cell Space next weekend, April 16 and 17. I should be there for most of the time so come pop in for some drinks and good conversation (there should be some cheese and crackers there too, I believe).
My work can also be viewed in my studio space at Art Explosion Studios this weekend where there will be a reception held from 7pm-11pm tomorrow, Friday April 8. Sadly, I will not be there, but some of my work can still be viewed. Just go to studio #331 on the 3rd floor and you'll get to see some of my smaller pieces which I've put up today (image above).
Art Explosion Studios
744 Alabama Street
San Francisco, CA
I am extremely excited about finally launching my ETSY store, which will be the place to buy inexpensive prints of my illustration work. I needed a platform to showcase and sell my quirky prints, and ETSY seemed just right for the task. I don't know what ETSY stands for (someone once told me it was an acronym for "Easy To Sell Yourself", but that sounds a little too red light district for me), but it seems to be a very popular site for artists and crafty creatives to sell their products online without having to go through the pesky middlemen. I've made available for sale high quality archival prints from two very different series of illustrations. I invite you to take a look and browse through the items I have on there. Descriptions below:
Our Daily Lucha Series
We are all fighters in our very own ways, regardless of who we are, where we come from, and what we have to do to survive. This is what connects us all, the fact that we all have dreams and are willing to fight for them. My luchadors represent everyday people, like you and me, who, despite their daily routines and obligations, believe that they will one day achieve their dreams--which, let's face it, does not come without a fight.
Blooming Ink Series
This series is a play on pattern, color and unique floral-like shapes that seem to take a life of their own. I never begin one composition knowing how it will look in the end. I let the different shapes evolve spontaneously, like vines shooting off from different directions, creating patterns that weren't there before, and possibly a new alien plant species. I find this series to be a little more on the psychedelic side.
In The Morning, pen and ink on paper, image size 9"x12", frame size 12"x16"
Spring Open Studios begins this weekend for San Francisco, and to celebrate its arrival Flax Art & Design has decided to host a juried group exhibition. The show is being organized by Mission United Artists (MUA) to showcase artists based in the Mission neighborhood. My original pen and ink piece (above) got through to the show and will be available for sale. Do come by if you can make it. The information is below:
Jurors
Piero Spadar of Hang Art Gallery
Maria Medua of SFMoMA Artists Gallery
Mina Dresden of Mina Dresden Gallery
Opening Reception: Thursday, April 7th, 6pm to 8pm
Show: April 1 to May 1, 2011
Where: Flax Art & Design
1699 Market Street, San Francisco
I started with graphite directly on the un-primed wood. I wanted to use the wood texture for his skin.
Then I finished him off with some acrylics and water color, and later coated with a gloss-medium varnish.
