Art Journals Parody

The question now is my ability to battle my own self. The competition is not about others and have realized that my greatest  opponent is myself.

So besides all other purposes, sometimes, well, most of the time actually is that my visual manuscripts often echo these fights...or struggle.

   Have I done enough to be really be accepted within the circle? Following mandate, rules, and accepted human facts isn't much of my forte in terms of art. I am too lazy to go linear.

   It should have been more financially liberating if I obey the systems. Only if I painted more instead of unleashing my thoughts and feelings. 

   But my visual manuscripts are life force--a support system that enables me to reflect and breath within. A rest from weariness. Maybe you may not understand but these so called waste of energies are my treasure.

   I have very rare individual piece...which is by the way may be subjected to change too. So those who own my work, they are rare treasure indeed and count yourself lucky. 

   Here I am dictated by choices...I'm still fortunate because most people doesn't have much of the choice.

   I am once again running away from the circle of which I am already in. I can not caste myself in a system...or sets of dimension. I am free...

   

   There is always something good, worthwhile, and beautiful to look forward to in whatever situation.

2012 In Random Illuminations

The Mayan Apocalypse was definitely on top of the list...in perspective, if you were in Compostela Valley or at Sandy Hook Elementary School the world does end in December 2012.
     
   I'll try to recall what have hit us last year...
   First there was those close fights in International scene like Jessica Sanchez coming second against Philip Philips on American Idol and then  Janine Tugonon came also second in Ms. Universe. Therefore, Filipinos still have reasons to celebrate after all...

 But the epic fail was two of Manny Pacquiao's fight this year  was a disappointment. 
  The revenge was taken by Nonito Donaire when he knock down another Mexican. 

   First half of 2012 was the CJ Corona Trial drama when they ousted a Supreme Court Justice, it was the first in Philippine political history. 
    On my birthday last year July 10 the king of Comedy Dolphy died.
   Mother nature did some heavy damages too that year...like the landslide in Negros and Cebu. 

   Judas of Lady Gaga create quite a stir but the concert still manage to pack people which some says the church mandate doesn't ring anymore. This can be reflected also when RH Bill gain majority approval from our legislature.
   But the Pinoy Catholics had its moment of joy when they get there 2nd Filipino saints. 

   The Netizen went on an uproar when the Cyber Crime Prevention Act was passed in September. 

    Last year also when the tension between China and Philippines rekindled over the disputed West Philippine Seas.  
   Amalayer vs. Lady Guard in LRT and then Mon Tulfo badly beaten by Raymart and cohorts also known as the thrilla in NAIA. This is what happen when you give a person a camera on there cellphones.

   What are the best remembered dance tune? Oppa Gangnam and Cha Cha Dabarkads of course. How about love song? Pusong Bato, I guess. :)

Bureau of Traffic Management Office (Binan City) commissioned me to work for their office  Halloween presentation and the Theme is "Alice in Wonderland"...I'm on my third day now with a deadline to finish it this Friday, October 26...

   Hectic days ahead....

  Here are some photo, I've taken so far using only webcam so it's not that clear...with my daughter as my assistant:

 

  

Painting Again!!!

Perhaps when I say that I am "Painting Again" it would surprise my closest friends. They constantly sees me creating artworks on regular basis...  Sketching faces and things here and there...so what do I mean? 
   I am painting again means I am speaking of individual pieces...

FROM THE LAB TO THE WORLD

   Unlike my regular affair on my visual manuscripts or art journals....where I simply express the feeling of a fleeting moment while at the same time honing my skills...this time I am creating outworks on linear prose. 

   Everything inside those books are spontaneous and by the dictate of the moment. This time the discipline to go linear had to be prioritized.
As I've said before Visual manuscripts are my laboratory of experiences...where in fleeting moment are explored in minute detail...it is where I explore feelings and at the same time honing my skills. 

  

   I rarely make individual piece because it's hard to frame a story. Honestly, the challenge to summarized an idea takes lots of mental aerobics and brainstorming. (The brainstorming happens inside my visual journals) Yet, this time I think I have gathered enough experiences and courage to burst my sentiment on a 2D platform. Usually, illuminations on experiences takes years and hundreds of pages to fully fathom the depth.  

   Simply gathering images and experience… let them hang on my head for awhile…until the feeling of the moment lingers. Perhaps a realization would emerge out of this fleeting moment. That’s how we begin a process of illumination…and that’s how I want to express my Artworks. I measure the success of my artwork when you begin to asked “Why”? This artist won’t be there to explain…just let it hang there…the answer usually lies from within.

   Of course, there will still be daily doses of sketches to ease down the tension.

Mercy is Falling like Rain

I'll illuminate once again at this stage of my life...everything is happening so fast and I have to keep my feet on the ground. I was just so overwhelm how God open all these opportunities for me to explore...I had never felt so bless in years. 

   I can not talk much as of now...I'll just let the above painting speaks on my feeling at this very moment. The work is simply called "Renewal" ...

   So I am painting again...Yah! I didn't actually stop or take a pause but there is a new vitality on my artworks nowadays, which I will share on days to come. I should say a new phase for my life as well. 

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. -- Romans 10:17

Do You Really Have Rights?

In the traditions of my self-impose illumination, here I am again triggering my mind to think...just to out pour, never mind the answers...or  whatever...

Now who told you that you have the Rights to all basic needs? How far can a government intervene if we don't want these rights at all? 

   Have you ever wonder why they are giving you something you never ask ?  Have you ever asked why they are promising things to you? 

    

    What are the differences between a right and a privilege?

   What if a person chose not to chose? And have you ever wonder why they are choosing for you? So who told you that you have to shift paradigm? 

   In truth, we measure things according to the system. Try to Create your own ruler and then tell them to use this as standard. No one can invent time...and measurement are set principles...they exist before earth was born. People just invent names. As far as I know, the only original thing that a person can invent is "label". 

   Even reasons needed choice. So are we given that choice to have rights?

   So how do we begin a right?  

   

   First we have the right to choose a leader. The leader that will chose what is right for us. He must Enact a law for our Rights. Now we have to give our rights to that leader. It does not mean, that when you give your rights, you lost your rights. It's your options....or...

   The function of our president have to ensure that we are being provided with basic needs. To be the person that will serve our needs...so in real sense, a President is the one that must maneuver the wheel to our desired destinations. Is that happening? Is your president the Taxi driver that will bring you to your hope and dreams? Or is he the Jeepney driver that have an intended route in mind? Or you can travel your own way...... 

   Fortunately or unfortunately, these depends on how you see things, when we ask for rights, we must submit ourselves into a society or group. After all, nobody would insist on rights if he intends to be left alone. Sadly, no one was given the right to live your own when you are member of a society.

   Should we insist unto others our rights? Yes we can, because somebody has already told us that we have these rights. So we can insist our rights according to the person we vote. Since he is elected, he had the right to think for us...including our rights.

   No man is an island. And FREEDOM is an abstract word. No one can have total freedom. Freedom is just a dream. 

   To lead a nation now, you don't have to prove you're an alpha male or to became a King by bloodline. We exercise elections. Who by the way is counting your vote?  To the one to whom we have given the authority...

   But is it the rights of King to be our savior? Some people think that they are saving the world by doing what is best for us. Is it my neighbors obligations to feed me? or Is it my obligation to feed my brothers?

   They told us we have the right to be provided with health program...like Reproductive Health...Did you ask for that? or did somebody tell you that you need to have a healthy Reproductive organ...by so and so reasons. But whose reasons?

   Are we given the choice? Maybe, but ordinary citizen is not congress. Congress thinks for us...they think what is best for us. But But But...is it really what we want? So who said there is democracy?

   Democracy is just an invention. As well as Communism. They are just label (told you, people can event label even into something that is not true). There is really NO equality, don't ever imagine that there is one. Just look at the thumb print of your twin brother...Does even Nature tell you so that you can not be co-equal with another creature? 

   Don't waste your time marching the street for freedom, equality, and democracy. That's one of the greatest cause of conflict. Accepting inequality will set you free...accepting your fat belly will make you a more secure person. Accepting that there is no equal opportunity will make you focus on what you really have. I think you must define what is envy and what is admiration. 

   There is always someone much wiser than you. As well as there is someone much weaker than you. It's quite boring to have equality...it's better to challenge yourself and aim higher. In equality you stagnate yourself. You just want to be like others. If we want equality then we better start counting the air that another person breath. Let us synchronized our inhale and exhale.

   Liberty is the largest monument that commemorate slavery. 

   Remember that your idea of paradise is not another person's idea of paradise. Many have fallen because a dictator have dream a paradise...for others. 

   Wake up! These people are thinking for you. 

     Since we have given our leaders the go signal to think for us...then help them think. Again, let me remind my self that it's hard to think for millions of people. For that matter, can we think as one nations? 

   Yes we can, when we put label to a collective idea. We can think as a nation when we say: It's more fun in the Philippines.

  Even your own children have brains. Don't think for them...and again, just help them think. Eloquent words does not necessarily mean that it's right. 

   Now be wise as a serpent...and as gentle as a dove. 

   All in all, Rights are limited...and all these rights are others right too. 

For in much wisdom is much grief,And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.-- Ecclesiastes 1:18

Cold, Sweat, and Paint...

Let me see if I can come up with something...I feel that my brain neuron isn't 100% functional yet. On my forth day under antibiotics for my cold. I feel lighter yet there is no more runny nose.  

   Saturday, August 25, I still have bouts of jolting pain but I have already compromise my service for a Face Painting show for a 7 yrs old girl birthday party. The weather isn't on my side this time...by noon time there was down pour. We had sunshine the past days but how do you explain a very sudden change of mood? Chemtrail spraying? Anyway, I don't want to think about it for now...I need to focus, I have work...I was praying while traveling..."Father, if it is your will then pour your blessing on me."

     Last night, I was shaking and chilling, probably a forty...Yet God allows me a window of strength to fill my duties. My wife was worried that I caught a Dengue fever but the worst thing is my mother's thought that I caught leptospirosis  because of overstaying on the flood while fixing our garden. I can't allow those negative thoughts to distract me now. 

     I have a party to attend...  

    The venue was hard to find...it is just in Sta. Rosa City, only about half an hour ride but it took me an hour and a half. I was disassociated and familiar roads became unfamiliar at that time. Thanks the heavy rain had turn to trickle when I finally reach my destination. Fortunately again, the celebrant was from a known family here in Laguna so I was easily cued to their home.

   It's the hardest face painting experience I ever had...I was fighting fever and trying to entertain the kid as well. Worried that my nose would add to the burden but it seems I was instantly cured from runny nose. Prayer granted, but next time I should be more specific because I didn't asked for the fever to leave me too. 

    So I didn't focus on the task, I mean I set my mind that this is an artwork that I always enjoy doing. I don't want to be label as a bad face painter, so in my best effort I did their faces in the best I could. Well, I guess the organizer was satisfied anyway, he gave me a TIP. 

    There was a Photo-booth nearby so I work fast...I don't know, but each time there is a Photo booth I always match my phase with the computers  printing. 

   After about 4 hours the party ended, exhausted but thanks I wore heavy jacket that gave me sweat on my face. It reminds me of God's word that man's face need to sweat. Now, it has proven to me again how true was God's word. When a man's face sweat it gives relief and it is beneficial to the soul as well. I have to look for that verse one of this day...

   And this reminds me that I didn't really have heavy exercises lately. Sitting in front of the computer for long hours, painting, and the only heavy manual labor that I was used to was kneading dough for empanadas. I have not fulfilled my promise of biking around the neighborhood. 

   That probably weakens my immune system...so it's not dengue or leptos but a stationary lifestyle...

   Well, I was sure it was the heavy manual labor while cementing the road with our neighbor...probably because I stress myself those past days. The stagnant water that was left out by alternating storm needed to be fix. So with the neighborhood guys we fill the pathway with about foot of gravel and soil and the next day we poured cement. For a longest time I haven't really stretch my lungs that far. 

   I needed more of that...

   By the way, I still manage to paint under fever and cold; actually it has given me the time to paint...and here it is... 

The Day My Mother Resurrected

   10:10 PM of July 10, I was born 45 years ago. My mother was pronounce clinically dead at 10:38PM. She saw the doctors and nurses at Philippine General Hospital trying to revive the 16 year old girl...a few feet away, she knew it was her but she can not speak...No one can hear me, she yell. 

   There was commotion. She can't see the little baby but she think she heard the doctor said, "Di umiiyak..." (not crying)

   Then all was bright light, probably the halogen light on the ceiling. Everything was peaceful...the shaded people were not the hospital personnel anymore, she can't tell. They were just shapes but everyone seems familiar. 

   Then she heard me cried...or she think she heard something from the another dimension. 

   Her motherly instinct said to the divine, "Please, God if you are real, let me just embrace my child before you take me..." In Visayan, her native-tongue. 

   All of the sudden, the flash of bright light hit her on the chest or forehead, she choke...then she heard shouting, noises, and panicking. 

    Is she breathing? 

    This is a miracle.

   Now she realized her eyes were close...so she open them. Someone is thumping her chest. She felt pain...I'm alive?, she whispered.

  

   Smiling but puzzled faces encircle her.

   She asked "Ang anak ko nasaan?" (where is my child)

   "Lalaki" Someone said.

    It's a boy. 

Eufemia, the beautiful lady who brought me here...

   I would like to Thank everyone who came to my FB wall and posted some greetings...also those who wishes me on Tagged ArtLover Group and Inbox. 

Here's my song for all of you... 

   A special thanks to bunso Posh (little sister) for this:

Happy Trip to my sister Gina...who left July 9...for Canada.

My Mom, the blogger, Kelly, Gina, Elyona, Jerina, and Godmother Merly...

Poetry from Manisha Bhatia

Verses being the firstCreativity being the secondArt being the thirdI stopped countingSince list became endlessI came to knowAbout the "REAL" personCandid acts...big heartvirtuous thoughtsdepth in artshumility n warmthswathes in talksA year went byMany will pass....you will keep residing forever in our hearts!!!

Wishing you a very happy bday Fher Ymas Visual Artist. Celeberations will be on forever n wishes will be showered forever! 

Love Mani :)

Andrea V. Lisi

 
Kaye Lasola

Happy Blessed Birthday Fher!!! 3 JOHN 1:2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

 Melissa Tandoc

 

To all ArtLover Thanks!!!

     

Where are the Good Samaritans?

   Maybe now I understand why there are not so many good Samaritans out there. I was trying to reflect how easily I have judge people...why people would have second thought in doing what is proper when it should be automatic?

    Some even turn the other way and intentionally avoid  a person having difficulty. I don't blame them...

   Before me and my wife decided to adopt an abandoned Mother and her 2 years old son, there were some hesitations on our part. It's not that we don't want to help but the fear of helping...the fear of trusting. Yet, our heart was heavily burden so we asked God for guidance.

Where are the Good Samaritans?

   Letting a total stranger into your house had been proven fatal to some. There were many cases of robbery and even murder committed by the same people whom the owner of the house trusted and let inside their home. 

   Just a couple of days ago, a woman went to a police station to report a house maid who kidnapped her daughter...I also recall, An old man was killed by his own nephew whom he had given shelter, educations, and everything...Scam and hoaxes are not isolated cases where we had totally given our trust to someone...

   Helping a stranger is like feeding a snake unmindful about the danger of the venom...

   It's not the first time that we had sort of adopt people inside our humble home. Mostly had been only headache...but nonetheless, me and my wife had this soft spot...who would help if we don't? That was our unwritten advocacy even if we don't have a big house for accommodation...even if we are just making both ends meet. People just come and go, some had been bless in their own lives, a family of their own and are now living a prosperous life that sometimes help us too. 

   This time we had a mother and a son in our house. She had been sort of an acquaintance of my wife--she met sometime ago who regularly buy from us our baked Empanada. It so happened that her husband had abandoned them running away with another woman. How can a man be that irresponsible?! It made me really mad...Anyway, she had no relatives here, she's from Mindanao and unemployed...Nothing to pay for the house they are renting. She can't find a job either because no one will take care of her child plus it would be hard for her to be hired because she had trouble walking. It seems the end of the road for her. 

   Last week Bella told me, that she saw her with the child walking aimlessly on the road carrying some scrap materials. She told my wife that she's going to a nearby junk shop to sell some of their things, "For our dinner..." she explained. 

    My heart was broken so I told Bella this: "Okay, you can bring them here..."

   

   So are we just going to close our eyes when we see the opportunity to help others?

On Reading Mode

Where I've been? Not really went totally out of touched, just silent...stealing some glimpse and sometimes hitting the FB like button when friend post. 
   I'm on an important research...reading bulk of documents...a thousand years in the making. 
   So what I would be sharing today?
   Thought you might like to check out a new site, shared to me by a friend:
   http://pinterest.com/

   School opening and K to 12 curriculum has already started, for this school year which mean there would be an additional 2 years within the elementary and secondary educations. I was surprised that only partial of the actual teaching module is ready, that is to say this project was done in haste. For Pres. Aquino's legacy? 
   Superficial apparatus. 


   Already feeling melancholy, next month my sister Gina and her family will be migrating to Canada...already missing her. 


   If there you have in your hand two opposing truths, how will you be able to identify the real from the hoax? The rule should be, as stated by the Scripture was to brought it to light. Evil thrives in the comfort of darkness...


   Thereby, if these two were brought in the midst, the light will easily consume the evilness...the one that survive is therefore the truth.
   As days goes by with my research, the more that I've seen how wide the complex evilness of The Mystery Religion. Unspeakable and unimaginable, this can't be done by mere mortal...it was so inhumane that I've felt the chill every time I see them...unpunished, boastful...
   I didn't expect this would be this filthy and hideous, as I was actually being too naive...the world is indeed in terrible tribulation and only a small percent actually knew...silence is now understandable...the danger is very real...
   But I will speak...
   History should be rewritten. The great injustice to unknowing victims...by the millions, if not billions. The crime displayed right before the world's eye. 
   Although I knew the needed urgency because the time are too few and the numbers of victims are growing in number daily...I should carefully re-evaluate data and sources for validity and to give appropriate justice.  

   People will no longer smile with the same delight after I've begin the series of expositions...was it therefore, advisable to simply hide these facts before me...can I really offer my life for a friend?


   Not enough luck, business is low this past days...even so, it gave me more moment to reflect...or probably, to do an extensive research. God is providing in various ways. 



   All the little clues...how I came to accidentally bump those people...and the books that literally walk towards my hand.


   Still will be on reading mode probably for a week or two...the internet can't just be for entertainment. 

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12

In What Authority I say These?

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? -- Romans 8:31

By World systems, any person desiring an office must met the qualities of the position they will occupy. A janitor no matter how hard-working he is cannot be instantly promoted to managerial position or else it would be catastrophic, not unless the janitor bought the company. But in God standard, when He choose He seek the persons heart and not what he is capable of doing. Remember Moses speech difficulties? How about the young David who was match against Goliath, and how about the 12 disciples are they scholars or scribes? 

"By What Authority Do You Do These Things?"

Matthew 21:23; Mark 11:28 & Luke 20:2

  . In our generation does one need to attend Bible school or seminary to preach the Kingdom of God? I personally believe that it is not necessary to have a college degree or PhD to preach God's word or even to become a pastor. When we do require the apostleship or pastoral position with educational background we became like the judgmental unbelievers encounter by the apostle in Acts 4:13 and besides, there is a danger of organizational attachment, that we will discuss later. First, let us re-examined how most church organization became standardized and limit the church growth.  

   “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13)

   Most churches requires that their leaders, pastor or priest to attend Bible College and Seminary respectively but it is surprising that there is no Biblical basis for this and in fact was contrary to Bible principle...

“At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.” (Matthew 11:25)

   Why then Jesus  should be thankful that it was hidden to the wise and prudent? Does it mean Jesus is against the wise and prudent? Is Jesus against learned men? Definitely not! What Jesus is stressing here is that with regards to spiritual understanding, no amount of education can fathom the wisdom of God. You simply can't learn theology (or understanding of god) in school curriculum. It is a spiritual calling and not a worldly profession...

John 3:8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

EDUCATION AND GRACE
    This is not to boast myself. Allow me to share a little something about myself, how I was able to blog, share, and sometimes debunk other false beliefs even if I have not attended any Bible school, in fact, I never consider myself religious.  I am just a regular Christian. 
   My love alone for God and to know His "perfect will" lead me to listen to His voice more often. The approval of God is very important to me, although I must admit I still do commit mistakes and sins every now and then BUT I never let it conquers me. There is one verse that I have always cling into since the beginning of my conversion is found in Proverbs 16:3 "Commit thy works unto The LORD and thy thoughts shall be established." 
   I read and re-read the Bible without end, I continually study and meditate on His word. I taste every essence of God's revelations in the Bible. I search for materials and resources that will make my faith grow, not strictly confine to the Holy Bible as I don't want to be over-zealot but not at all liberal. I weigh words against words. 
   I used to be denominational, meaning I cling so much to where I belong, trust the pastor and preacher all the way...but after some revelations that I've seen how this world works, I became critical thinker and begun to "Test" every spirit.
  I even sought the teachings of other denominations and faith, to understand where they are coming from. I think, most hatred and quarrels begin when you become dogmatic to another positions...the tendency to close your ears to everything they said, is not beneficial for learning. Everyone has the right to voice their faith. I even test myself if I can stand on the position of an Atheist but Honestly, I don't have enough faith to be an Atheist. 
   For all we know, our misunderstanding of "Truth" stem from our religious "zeal" and the result is we are shutting the door of our hearts to let it flow easily. We became "hardcore" to our local church and no amount of persuasion can make us admit our fault. 
   I regularly check and evaluate myself if I am working and deciding according to the Spirit of God. Pardon me, it is not my intention to exalt myself by sharing these, I just want to share how the Holy Spirit work in me. I always make sure there is scriptural basis on everything I do...

 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?-- 2 Cor. 13:5

    Self-examinations should be done regularly...if possible every time you sit alone with God. By doing a regular check-up, and trusting God that He will reveal the answer, and I have proven even to myself that God is not an isolated persona, or an unapproachable King but is very willing to reveal the truth...He does reply. If one continually have fellowship with the Holy Spirit, you will know what I am saying. 


 THE DANGER OF EDUCATION 

Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

   I found this article revealing and factual and I want to share it to you, and something one should think about, with regards to your church memberships. Although it speaks of church leadership position, this also applied to regular church member. This is from Biblical Research Reports:

Education by the church or seminary has the potential of being spiritually dangerous because it tends to lock a person into the particular theological belief system taught by the seminary. If that person is in your denomination or church you probably think it is something good. But think about all those people in other denominations or churches that you disagree with, who have bought into error and will not turn from it. The same thing can happen to those in your church. It is my observation that after a person is a Christian for several years they buy into a certain theological or denominational belief system. They will not change from that theological belief, with a few exceptions, even though they are given scriptural proof to the opposite. They will reinterpret plain passages of Scripture that show they are wrong, to fit their theology. The person’s theology becomes the filter through which Scripture is judged and interpreted, rather than searching the Scriptures to determine what is truth, and then patterning one’s belief to follow Scripture. The result is, with a few exceptions, that people will not change: a Baptist will not become a Pentecostal, a Pentecostal will not become a Mennonite, and a Mennonite will not become a Baptist.

Educated people tend to filter what they believe to be truth based on what they know and their own opinions rather than going to the Scriptures to see if it is true or not. They will tend to believe error to be truth until the day they die, and never check it out in Scripture because they trust those with a PhD who taught them. In my researching of various Biblical subjects, I have found many false teachings being taught as truth by those who were highly educated. They were merely repeating what they had read or heard from others who were also highly educated and they did not research the matter for themselves. Often it only took a little research to find out it was obviously error. (SOURCE HERE)

   

   

"I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied" (Jer. 23:21).

   

A Picture that Paint a Thousand Words

In most cases I get my inspiration from literary pieces like books, magazines, articles, and poetry...I never thought that the vice versa (or mutual synchronicity) would transpire from my own artwork. To become the source for a poetry to be written was beyond my expectations. It really made my heart override (or expanding within the lung cavity) when one of my favorite romantic poetess Manisha Bathia announce that she was inspired to write a poem from this painting which she call "Behind the Blue Eyes" and thus became the official title of the said work although I intended the same work with another story. To my surprise Manisha captured partially the feelings I weave at that moment...especially the lines: 

"They could never explore, could never touch the core

The wetness confines, tales of sacrifice…" 

  

   

   It just came to me, that whatever we intend in our mind or what's going on deep in our senses will reflect on what ever we do. Perhaps the reflection was there. 

   Telling stories is my foremost goal ever since when I paint, even for  portraits...capturing the feeling, even those fleeting moment into a Monalissa-like masterpiece. 

   To share linguistic abstract-ideas into a single frame are the challenge that I tackle every time I dabble into the medium. Not to sacrifice beauty and balance, yet there should be the necessity of telling the drama...the behind the scene and untold phrases captured in representations of images. Looking for the right brushstroke or shades of various degrees are the main task I dare to encounter. 

   The artist always give special attention to the eyes. In fact, I constantly make a conscious effort to have my selection of models on the basis of "eye" status. The pre-determined appearance of an incoming artwork is already hanging on my brain, then process the available sources to the story rubbing inside my static mind. Resourcefulness will be tested if I can't find the right representations, and sometimes I have to do small tweaking to fit my state of mind. 

   Inspiration, like everything else, is a state of mind, you can either dwell on it or alter its course. We can create inspiration, thus, I am so thankful that out of my work, another inspiration arises. 

   "Behind the blue eyes" is not a portrait, but a symbolic reflection, that anyone can give meaning to. 

   

   Read The full content of the article and poem of Manisha at When I was Lost in Me.  

   

When I was Lost in Me

(Time for my illumination moment once again...)


I've checked my dashboard...and hit the statistics of my blogs. Nearly 16,000 views for this blog alone. Is that a fair number for a blog that had been running for two years? I'm not good at statistic but I am pretty sure that's not enough to earn me a best-seller award.

   Two years of pouring out myself to the world, to complete strangers whom I am not quite sure would be interested to learn anything from my life. A celebrity status was far from my mind, I can not handle that...I easily get tired within a crowd, even if my job requires me to be at the center of attention. I always find comfort in being alone. That's one of the reason also why I was misjudge to be a snob...and I embrace that illusion as self-defense to much needed space.
   Now, what made me think that there would be someone out there interested enough to read my life story? 

   Well, you see I was kinda introvert when I was a little boy. Kept only very few friends until high school...and I still can't solve the mysteries why I became a dancer then when there's too much butterflies in my stomach.  I just knew I survive a solo dance number of Michael Jackson's "Beat it" with nearly a thousand eyes watching.
The Novel of my Life
   I've just have a sudden realization this noontime while watching my two kids at play. You know it's a heavenly feeling for me to see Elijah (who just turn into teen this month) and Elyona Jean (6) cordially agreeing in one activity together. They sometimes act as if they did not come from the same womb. And so it is a bliss to see them enjoying the same activity...
   Anyway, I also saw the same similarity with me and my sister Gina before. Well, we used to ate at the same plate together even up until our College days but when it comes to almost anything, we argue a lot...Now that we are grown up and have children of our own...we are now experiencing the same headache my parent underwent on daily basis while we were kids. 
   The dirty rooms, soiled feet, haphazard toys on the floors, the shriek and turmoils...the who did these and that escape...the endless pointing...
   I've read somewhere that we are the continuation of our parent stories...as I am the continuation of my mother and father's hope and dreams, so as my children now is the extension of my biography...
   While absorbing the idle moment, from an on process personal lesson within this tranquil afternoon... I time travel back in forth from the past and future of my self. 
   Before, Elijah came out to this world...I made sure that he would begin his life in proper order. So, I made special attention on giving him the appropriate name which declares my faith.   His name came After reading Charles Swindoll's book "The Life and Times of Elijah" the book that introduce to me a special prophet who appeared during the darkest hour of Israel's ancient history. Honestly, the plan of his name was already conceived even before I met his mother. 
   Elijah means My God is the Lord. While Elyona would mean God's messenger. As I look at them now, like any normal boys and girls they love to explore things and often learn some of life's lesson the hard way. No matter how many time I told them the rules, the do's and don't...the follow this or else...they will still test your limit...or the boundaries where they can thread  of things if what I actually said were true. They may not take my opinion seriously for now...I knew they will come to realized one day, that their parent were actually correct. Life would have been much easier if we simply obey...
   Are we just natural risk-taker or plain dumb inquisitive? 
   The two polarities of my performing side was equally divided by my children, my son took the dancing side and my little daughter took the painting side. Well, my daughter dances too but I can tell when a hip can swing and not. The same way, that my son also draw...I can easily tell the brushstrokes are going nowhere. Yet again, the future is not ours to see.


A Poetry from My Art
   While I was in the middle of this illumination blog...one of my painting is given a special mention by Manisha Bathia...The work which she now called "Behind the Blue Eyes" which she said inspired her to compose a poem. What a coincidence and not intentional that I also give the title of this article with the same name of her Blog page. 
   You can check the poem with my artwork at When I was Lost in Me. Thank you so much Mani. 
and MORE...
   As if it's my lucky day, there is another special mention given to this blog by another dear friend, Andy David is giving away Follower of the month awards of sort in his blog and I was being mentioned for April Follower of the Month. You can check it here at Thoughts of Beauty... 
   Here it is...

Once again Thanks Sir Andy David

My Video pick for this blog:
Forgiveness...even if somebody hurt you. The courage to accept, that there are things that must come to an end. The Art of letting go....
Time heals wound...