Type: Who Doesn't Love Friday?

Loving my new Daler Rowney round sable brush! It's perfect for brush calligraphy.
You can find a set at Fully Booked for around 290 pesos only!

Hope you have a happy Friday!

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Laughter is Timeless

Sharing a brush calligraphy project that I did for my cousin, Paolo. He wanted to give an un-cheesy but inspirational message to his girlfriend for Valentine's Day, and he chose this quote from Walt Disney. I think the gesture is sweet and the quote is such a classic. 

Acrylic on canvas 16 x 12

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Artsy Fartsy Round Up: May and June

I know I've been posting a lot of travel and apartment-related entries lately, and I've forgotten to blog about my arts and crafts projects. I HAVE been practicing, just not writing a lot about it. Thanks to Instagram, I have proof that I have been working on creative projects.

Here's A quick round up of my artsy fartsy pursuits these past couple of months!
(Top to bottom, Left to right)

1. Stenciled my corkboard using white acrylic paint and oslo paper. It's so much easier to stencil than paint the triangles individually. (I am obsessed with them lately).

2. Lyric calligraphy for my friend who wants to use it for her tattoo. Excited to see the final outcome on actual skin! #pressure

3. Watercolored lettering on the planner's June calendar for Independence Day. Super inspired by Gang Badoy Capati's statement during that day:

"Remember: the Philippines is not its government. The Philippines is a billion other things. The ice cream guy and the cop who dances, the banana shake by the beach, and the portable lechon from an airport, the sunsets from any point, and all the mountains & smiles, and the kite surfing air space, the surf, the skateboard's sound against the midnight park, the Philippines is its music, its poets, its dancers, and more and more and more.#independenceday #philippines"

4. Watercolored portrait. Practicing my washes and painting peonies and trying to be deliberate with my techniques in watercolor.

5. Dove rubberstamp at the Bright Minds Studio! Taught my cousin how to carve stamps. She made a bamboo pattern for herself.

6. Mushroom rubberstamp which is a personal project and a new addition to my collection! Next to watercolor, this is really my favorite artsy fartsy activity.

7. Ink and graphite portrait. Trying to go back to basics with making portraits and going minimalist with black and gold details. I may have been influenced by my neutral and safe choices at the apartment, so I am practicing restraint with my illustrations also.

8. Paper flower bouquet which came in handy as decor when I still didn't have plants at the condo. They're pretty and they never wilt!

9. Monogram rubberstamp for a friend's wedding! My college batchmate Cza is getting married this August and asked me to recreate their monogram on a rubberstamp. They want to use it for giveaways for their wedding. Of course, I was totally up for the challenge! So glad they liked it!

What have you been up to lately? :)

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Before A Monday

Yes, that's right! Smile and be merry! There is so much to be thankful for. 

Let's see:

The life I'm living, the fact that I'm breathing, 

the bed I'm lying on, and the shoes on my feet.

My senses, my talents, my resources, 

my friends and family, my sweetheart.

The sun, the ability to move and dance and sing and think and learn and discover,

the provisions for travel, and the vastness of the world.

My job--because I like it, 

my job--even if I don't love it,  

my job--the fact that I have one. 

Music and songs, videoke and microphones, guitars and the fingers that can play them.

Speculoos and nutella, waffles and instant chocolate, alcohol, mint flavored ice cream, 

 bacon and bacon flavored anything.

Technology, internet and online shopping,

 That I can take pictures of food, the fact that I get to eat at all.

Books and stories, curiosity and literacy, 

the freedom to choose. 

This is not the complete list, but ah, thank you Lord for everything.

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Calligraphy Pursuits for 2013

It's no secret that I've been obsessed with calligraphy since I got into it last year. I was fueled by the motivation to able to incorporate better letter writing to my doodles, which was initially a personal goal. Fozzy Castro-Dayrit's work has been instrumental for the inspiration to start writing--I follow her work from Facebook to twitter to instagram (I drop a line or two of appreciation, para naman hindi masyadong stalker ang dating!), and everytime I see her flourished scripts, I get so inspired to learn some more. The craft brings me immense enjoyment and the prettiness tugs at my heartstrings specially when my friends and even random people appreciate my posts of lyrics, musings and practice sheets.

This year, one of my creative goals is to get better at calligraphy and be able to share it to others by offering it as a service. I don't see it as a full time job for now, but I am definitely looking at the possibility of having clients who will appreciate my form of writing and trust me enough to provide the service. This pursuit will also become a challenge for myself since I haven't really done something like this before. I have yet to learn the ropes of networking and showcasing my work, but the priority for now is to practice practice practice.

My trip to the United States has also allowed me to gain access to the tools and learning materials that will help me get better at calligraphy. I've been trying out different nibs so I can experiment and develop my own style, but I'm also interested in studying a more formal style of writing. So much of what I have learned have been through trial and error, practicing strokes on different types of paper using various ink brands, and also by reading different sourcesoonline. Although I can't say I have discovered my own style just yet, one of the things that I always tell to myself is to remain teachable and be open to learning new things. Hopefully in time, I can really get more consistent and create my own signature work.

Going back to basics and doing  muscle memory strokes using my oblique holder. 

Just a few of the nibs that I bought while here in the US.
L-R: Guillot 303, Leonardt Principal Nib, Nikko G, Leonardt Manuscript G.
 Thank you Paper and Ink Arts, Dickblick and Amazon!

I am writing about this now to be able to commit to this decision to actually pursue calligraphy not just as a hobby but something that I can consider a craft that I can share to others. It's loads of fun, and it's one of the reasons why I do it in the first place. And if I can get myself more disciplined to further enhance my skills, why not?  A lot of love and care is put into a handwritten note, envelope or place card, and I want to be able to spread that kind of love through calligraphy. This blog will allow me to chronicle that journey and hopefully I can post an official "advertisement" when I am finally ready. 

I'm so excited! Here's to more possibilities for 2013!

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Doodle Caboodle: Empire State of Mind

I don't want to start a discussion about lyrics and their grammatical errors, but since I am smitten with this city, this ode to the good old NYC is the first song that came to mind. Plus, I love Alicia Keys.

I used Leonardt Manuscript 300 nib with this and my Panache italic calligraphy nib in medium on my Moleskine. I'd like to learn Adobe Illustrator so that I can make this into vector art and have it printed and framed. Would you buy a print like this?

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Craft Loot, Hooray!

One of the first things that I did when I arrived in the U.S. is get myself more calligraphy and crafting tools. While the handcrafting movement in Manila is starting to grow thanks to her, her, her, and her, the tools needed to get into the movement isn't as available as we would've liked. 

I took advantage of this onshore assignment in buying stuff that I wanted to buy but couldn't find in Manila. The first thing that I had intended to buy was a Speedball Linoleum Cutter. I have the woodcutter version which I was able to buy at National Bookstore for 150 pesos. It was a decent set, but when I tried out Mansy's Speedball cutter during our Crafternoon Session, there was a huge difference specially when I wanted to carve out finer details on my stamp. 

I got some Hunt 99s and 101s as well as Windsor and Newton Calligraphy inks from my uncle when they visited Manila. I hoarded on nibs coz I know they're not sold in Manila except in Scribe Writing Essentials in Eastwood. I wanted to try more nibs, I also ordered Esterbrooks and Nikko Gs from Paper Ink Arts! 

Here's a couple of things that I came up with using my crafting purchases:

Flower stamps that I made using my Speedball cutter. The stamp ink brand is Inkadinkado. Weather is quite dreary these days so I made this. I can't wait for spring!

A patterned stamp that I did while experimenting on my Inkadinkado stamp colors. 

The best thing about it is that I get to only use my per diem for my purchases, and shipping is free when you buy a certain number of products and reach a certain amount. Work has been taking up too much of my time this past month, but with things stabilizing in my I.T. life, I have more time to work on my calligraphy and watercolor. I guess wherever I go, even if I am miles away from home, I will always end up doing something creative. 

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Channeling An Inspiration - Meera Lee Patel

I am proud to say that things are looking up this week. The work that we have done with the Project has been well received by our clients and we are off to a good start since we went live yesterday. The sleepless nights are all worth it. :)

Since my I.T. life here in New Jersey is starting to look good (by good, meaning, I don't have to stay in late for work), it's time for me to catch up with my creative life and continue working on crafty things. I'd like to share one of my watercolor inspirations, Meera Lee Patel. I came across her work when I was checking out Ten Paces and Draw website. There is something very earthly yet ethereal about her work that I truly admire and this has prompted me to create more foliage-inspired calligraphy. 

Here are a few of her works featured in her Website

Her weapon of choice: watercolor!

I love the intricate details of this drawing!

Despite the lack of tools here onshore, I made sure I have a few paintbrushes and water color with me. Pardon me for the poor quality coz I only used my camera phone for this, but here's me channeling my inner Meera Lee. :)

Hope you like it!

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Calligraphy In 2012 (And Moving Forward)

This 2012, I started getting into calligraphy through Fozzy Castro-Dayrit's influence. I admired her work and checked her blog regularly, followed her instagram and even her twitter account! That could count as stalking in some countries, but in my defense, it really led me to get into the craft and do something with it. Now I am not about to offer any envelope writing jobs just yet, but this stuff is really addicting! I've always been into lettering, but calligraphy allows one to add some finesse to the art of writing.

My journey started when I chanced upon Scribe Writing Essentials at Powerbooks Greenbelt 3. I wanted to buy Daycraft paper and saw Brause pens and J Herbin inks on display. The nice sales lady showed me some samples and taught me how to use the pen. After a few minutes, I went on my way with getting ink cartridges for the Brause italic calligraphy pen in 2.3 mm. Eventually, I got the chance to experiment with J Herbin semi flexi nibs which I got from Scribe at the Eastwood branch. Nakakakilig! Flourished script is the style that made me fall inlove with calligraphy in the first place! I tried out so many paper and figured out that Rhodia fares well with both ink and poster paint, while Moleskine is pretty much better off with journaling and sketching. Daycraft is 50/50 because it goes well with Italic nibs, but not that much with flexy because of the pointed tip (I tend to scratch the paper). I am trying out that dotted notebook from Muji at the moment, and it seems to be doing well so far.

Most of my nibs are now rusty, and Scribe is no longer available at Powerbooks Greenbelt 3 so I have to make do with them for now. I'm eager to stock on more calligraphy supplies and I really wish materials are readily available in the Philippines, but they aren't as popular as I hoped they would be (yeah, considering that there are calligraphy and crafting workshops left and right these days). But the good news is, my uncle agreed to buy stuff for me from the U.S. and I will be getting my hands on Speedball Hunt 99 and Imperial 101s and more J Herbin nibs next month! Eeeeeep just thinking about it makes me giddy! Can't wait for Feb already!

Anyway, here's a collection of calligraphy stuff that I did this year.

I made holiday cards this year and gave them out to my family and relatives.

  

Of course, when I have nothing to say, I just write lyrics!

More lyrics, this time by Morrisey

An experiment with gouache and different colors.

  

Doodles + calligraphy = L.O.V.E! (Yes, kailangan nagrarhyme)

And these are words of inspiration that I go back to everytime I feel that I am up to no good. Isn't it encouraging? 

I hope to share encouraging words to others through calligraphy, even if sometimes the words are not my own. I want to spread some positivity and inspiration to others even if it's done with  imperfect handwriting. This craft is immensely enjoyable and gratifying, and I hope I get to do this for a very long time. :)

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Inspiration Strikes Again!

I found myself with a bit of time to blog and draw and do calligraphy these days because I am on a holiday break. I got myself inspired from different art and design blogs, but the most recent addition to my bookmark is Alessa Lanot's Life After Breakfast. She's amazing! I learned about her because I have been reading Fozzy's posts for quite some time now, and one afternoon, I was lost in her world of water colour, rubber stamps, typography, vegan food and all sorts of wonderful things that I wish I could do more of. She's only 2 years older than me and she already has her own restaurant and art workshops left and right!

She has so many awesome ideas that I got myself inspired and did some calligraphy and doodling as well. This coming year, I will live more creatively. I will find more time for my band, for the cupcake business, for running and frisbee, for travel and for art. The year ahead is brimming with so much hope and potential, the multitasking year is here, but at the same time, I will still aim for balance. Oh, and the apartment turnover will be in 2013 as well, so I am sooooo excited to get involved with interior design too! Ideas, ideas, ideas! 

Anyway, here's what I came up with last night while I was still high on dark chocolates and inspiration. I used poster paints, sakura 0 paintbrush and J Herbin nibs. :)

A mistake is a product of risk. Taking risks is sometimes alright, so long as we are willing to live with the consequences. With making mistakes, we realize our faults and we discover our strength to carry on and continue with our task. Don't be afraid to make mistakes; instead learn from them.

Ah, positivity is difficult specially when you've had your fair share of trials. But as they all say, happiness is still a choice. Let's focus on the good things in life! There is so much to be thankful for :)

Here's to more creativity, positivity and endless energy for 2013! 

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