We also do culinary Arts do we?
Below is a nightmarish experience I had eating food from R*****s this after noon. This place used to be good. Its on J. Abad Street, near Alex III.
Time was when I was so proud of R*****s opening in San Juan. Finally, I said, a decent above average Mexican restaurant.
Fast forward 8 months later, and it seems that earlier success has gotten into the heads of the owners and personnel of this once 'must try' destination.
I ordered a Steak Fajita, and a cheese Quesadilla. I looked at the prices. Fajita was P340, and no price for the simple cheese quesadilla. That was just the beginning of my nightmare.(They had a small sign saying their 'peach' quesadilla was P190)
When the bill came, the cheese quesadilla was P290! Pretty steep for something not even on the menu. I complained, but the counter girl blithely said that all quesadillas were that price (even if not stated on their menu) She was unapologetic.
The store manager was sitting nearby, listening to what I was saying, but doing nothing. He was busy with his cell phone.
Then, upon getting home, the horror started in earnest: The fajita I remembered that was so large two or more people could eat it, had shrunk.
The steak was overcooked. In fact, I felt I was chewing on some hard gum while trying to swallow the once tender meat. This would have been good for my flat tire last week.
The cheese quesadilla? Three quarters of it had its crust burnt. I mean, not brown, but BLACK. I wanted to return it, but my kids persuaded me not to go make a scene.
So that's it. The END of my R*****s experience, and I know exactly what to say when friends ask me for a good Mexican place in the Wilson area - none.
Success has gone to the heads of these once conscious owners. There are many more Mexican places open on Ortigas and nearby. I ate there a few days ago, debating whether R*****s was a better choice. Now I know better.
This message does not end here. I don't seek any form of consolation from these people who probably won't give it to me anyway.
Go ahead and ignore me R*****s. I don't expect you to react any differently. I hope you do well in your next restaurant.
I love my job blogging about restaurants. (If you need to pee, you need to find a Ristroom)
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Post Glow
It's taken a full eleven days before any new post could be written after our exhibit launch - but with good reason. The reasons are many and valid.
XAG is now a force to be reckoned with, with projects coming up, and the grand vision of an Arts Centre in Xavier a reality just waiting to be taken by it's horns and run with. The task is daunting, given that the performing arts is as broad and diverse as the deep blue sea, but it can be done. With the blessings of the school and the powers at be, XAG getting a home is a dream closer to reality than originally thought.
The key here, of course, is the mural. It is XAG's "signature" project that will announce that Art has arrived at Xavier and will be there to stay. The old adage, "if you build it, they will come", rings true. Once the place and it's purpose is established, the artists will come, the sponsors will hopefully support, and Art will be alive and well where it once was just a pipe dream.
Heading this unwieldy Guild is not for those with little time to spare, for it's management is a full time job in and of itself, and it's incorporation into the school and stated goals of developing artists can only be accomplished with all the catalysts giving it their best.
There should be no rest until the fog of what was once a dream is lifted and XAG becomes a reality for all to enjoy and appreciate.
XAG is now a force to be reckoned with, with projects coming up, and the grand vision of an Arts Centre in Xavier a reality just waiting to be taken by it's horns and run with. The task is daunting, given that the performing arts is as broad and diverse as the deep blue sea, but it can be done. With the blessings of the school and the powers at be, XAG getting a home is a dream closer to reality than originally thought.
The key here, of course, is the mural. It is XAG's "signature" project that will announce that Art has arrived at Xavier and will be there to stay. The old adage, "if you build it, they will come", rings true. Once the place and it's purpose is established, the artists will come, the sponsors will hopefully support, and Art will be alive and well where it once was just a pipe dream.
Heading this unwieldy Guild is not for those with little time to spare, for it's management is a full time job in and of itself, and it's incorporation into the school and stated goals of developing artists can only be accomplished with all the catalysts giving it their best.
There should be no rest until the fog of what was once a dream is lifted and XAG becomes a reality for all to enjoy and appreciate.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Fruition
Good seeds planted in good soil yield great crops.
From those grainy days in January, when conception was just beginning, to the incredible journeys of those who participated in those meetings, to the painting, and sculpting of magnificent works of Art, it has come down to less than 24 hours.
The first Xavier Alumni Art Exhibit, with the blessing of one of Xavier's enduring icons, Fr. Ismael Zuloaga, S.J., is about to set sail.
It does so with lofty goals, and inspired work, both from the heart, and from above to achieve what had a been a pipe dream for many a Xavierian's closet dream: unleashing the inner artist in himself. Will the Ismael Zuloaga Centre for the Arts in Xavier ever become reality? That is the task ahead, and with a mural commissioned by Fr. Zuloaga himself, what better way to usher in this Art tradition in Xavier than this?
The performing Arts is one gigantic broad umbrella - for it is not visual arts alone that comprises the vision of its' founders: Music, Film, Writing, Culinary, and much much more. But the spark has been made, and the powder keg of untapped Artistic talent so inherent in XAG's enthusiastic members is about to be unleashed.
For Xavier and XAG, it is time to let your light shine!
From those grainy days in January, when conception was just beginning, to the incredible journeys of those who participated in those meetings, to the painting, and sculpting of magnificent works of Art, it has come down to less than 24 hours.
The first Xavier Alumni Art Exhibit, with the blessing of one of Xavier's enduring icons, Fr. Ismael Zuloaga, S.J., is about to set sail.
It does so with lofty goals, and inspired work, both from the heart, and from above to achieve what had a been a pipe dream for many a Xavierian's closet dream: unleashing the inner artist in himself. Will the Ismael Zuloaga Centre for the Arts in Xavier ever become reality? That is the task ahead, and with a mural commissioned by Fr. Zuloaga himself, what better way to usher in this Art tradition in Xavier than this?
The performing Arts is one gigantic broad umbrella - for it is not visual arts alone that comprises the vision of its' founders: Music, Film, Writing, Culinary, and much much more. But the spark has been made, and the powder keg of untapped Artistic talent so inherent in XAG's enthusiastic members is about to be unleashed.
For Xavier and XAG, it is time to let your light shine!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Looking Past the End of the Beginning
I write this with a slight heavy heart, the reasons of which many will not understand and consider to be too "personal" to include in an Art Blog.
To make it brief, I've had some family issues I had to deal with. That, plus dealing with the local bureaucracy and the increased blood pressure one inevitably suffers after that excruciating ordeal that the government never recognizes is the root cause of terrorism.
Think about that for a second - stalled application for 14 months, 9 trips to an agency that refuses to believe your nationality even with a valid passport, and roadblocks after roadblocks with mind-numbing stupidity. Oh, that police dude that shot 8 passengers dead last August? He had a case bogged down in the courts for almost 2 years. Is shooting people wrong? Heck yeah. Ever consider the root cause?
That's how terrorists are made.
Now, if I had stage 5 cancer, a morphine-drip, and a ton of ammonium nitrate that can fit into my trunk, why not do a Kevorkian and plow thru the building like Tim Mcvay? Hmmmm....
The original intent of this story wasn't about the above. That was just venting. The story here is looking past April 30th, after the first Xavier Alumni Art show. What's next? Where do we go from here? It is time to look past the end of the beginning.
Well, there's plenty. XAG, if everyone recalls, is just the start. The spark, so to speak. There's the mural, of which some fervent artists are already talking up, and the Centre for the Arts in the school aptly named after a man whose name, the last we checked, was not in any of the schools buildings, rooms, fields, etc.
Looking past all the acrylics, the marble finish on the sculptures, the displays, the ribbon cutting, and the 30 days of showing the stuff XAG is made of, much work needs to be done, and the impetus on that is squarely on the shoulders of the XAG brain trust itself. The Artworks will speak for themselves, and XAG now needs a direction to head into, now that momentum has been built from the exhibit.
If the Guild intends to remain relevant and be on the forefront of meaningful change in Xavier's Art scene, it cannot treat this coming exhibit as a mere 'flash in the pan'. It needs way more than that. There will be more meetings, more suggestions, and a more coherent staff that will be lean and mean, with someone who will take the bull by the horns and run with it.
A XAG messiah is in the offing.
To make it brief, I've had some family issues I had to deal with. That, plus dealing with the local bureaucracy and the increased blood pressure one inevitably suffers after that excruciating ordeal that the government never recognizes is the root cause of terrorism.
Think about that for a second - stalled application for 14 months, 9 trips to an agency that refuses to believe your nationality even with a valid passport, and roadblocks after roadblocks with mind-numbing stupidity. Oh, that police dude that shot 8 passengers dead last August? He had a case bogged down in the courts for almost 2 years. Is shooting people wrong? Heck yeah. Ever consider the root cause?
That's how terrorists are made.
Now, if I had stage 5 cancer, a morphine-drip, and a ton of ammonium nitrate that can fit into my trunk, why not do a Kevorkian and plow thru the building like Tim Mcvay? Hmmmm....
The original intent of this story wasn't about the above. That was just venting. The story here is looking past April 30th, after the first Xavier Alumni Art show. What's next? Where do we go from here? It is time to look past the end of the beginning.
Well, there's plenty. XAG, if everyone recalls, is just the start. The spark, so to speak. There's the mural, of which some fervent artists are already talking up, and the Centre for the Arts in the school aptly named after a man whose name, the last we checked, was not in any of the schools buildings, rooms, fields, etc.
Looking past all the acrylics, the marble finish on the sculptures, the displays, the ribbon cutting, and the 30 days of showing the stuff XAG is made of, much work needs to be done, and the impetus on that is squarely on the shoulders of the XAG brain trust itself. The Artworks will speak for themselves, and XAG now needs a direction to head into, now that momentum has been built from the exhibit.
If the Guild intends to remain relevant and be on the forefront of meaningful change in Xavier's Art scene, it cannot treat this coming exhibit as a mere 'flash in the pan'. It needs way more than that. There will be more meetings, more suggestions, and a more coherent staff that will be lean and mean, with someone who will take the bull by the horns and run with it.
A XAG messiah is in the offing.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
The Birth
It started as a dare
a sunny day back January,
just friends in friendly banter
it then became OUR story.
A few of us had noted,
our love for Arts was true
so why not gather all,
and bond as one like glue.
From painting, song and sculpture
to photos, film, and more
it grew and spread like fire
like eagles we would soar.
And so the guild was born,
you'd say it's accidental
but here we are today
it is, it is sensational.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Don't Turn Off the Music
For days we've blogged about Art. Visual Arts - sculpting, photography, digital arts, and, of course, painting. The Xavier Alumni Art Guild has its share of another form of art, and one that is not to be overlooked by the hype and buildup to April 30th's exhibit: Music
XAG's own 'father' of its music heritage is Robert Yulo.
Yes, Seb Chua is XAG's yoda of sculpture, while Mikko Sison, arguably, is one of XAG's most gifted artists in painting (especially large vibrant mesmerizing pieces). Seb has his heir apparent - Kylo, already well into his own brand of inspiring sculpture himself, while Alex, Fred and Jed Tan has dabbled into acrylics, & pen and ink with their own twist. Ditto for Owen Tiam in photography.
On the 'quiet' side of the XAG front is no other than Robert "Bob" Yulo - an immensely gifted musician whose talent is often overlooked because of his quiet demeanor, and propensity for humility. Most, if not all of the XAG artists are humble in nature anyway- knowing full well that Xavier was never known to produce the likes of what we're about to see on April 30th.
But Bob will always be known for his 'easy to the ears' music. Selfless, and tireless in his work, he has always given his support to the Xavier Alumni Art Guild since its inception. We should be focusing more on his work in the days to come.
The beauty of an Artwork is not necessarily gauged by the virtuousness of it's work, but also by the nature of it's maker.
XAG's own 'father' of its music heritage is Robert Yulo.
Yes, Seb Chua is XAG's yoda of sculpture, while Mikko Sison, arguably, is one of XAG's most gifted artists in painting (especially large vibrant mesmerizing pieces). Seb has his heir apparent - Kylo, already well into his own brand of inspiring sculpture himself, while Alex, Fred and Jed Tan has dabbled into acrylics, & pen and ink with their own twist. Ditto for Owen Tiam in photography.
On the 'quiet' side of the XAG front is no other than Robert "Bob" Yulo - an immensely gifted musician whose talent is often overlooked because of his quiet demeanor, and propensity for humility. Most, if not all of the XAG artists are humble in nature anyway- knowing full well that Xavier was never known to produce the likes of what we're about to see on April 30th.
But Bob will always be known for his 'easy to the ears' music. Selfless, and tireless in his work, he has always given his support to the Xavier Alumni Art Guild since its inception. We should be focusing more on his work in the days to come.
The beauty of an Artwork is not necessarily gauged by the virtuousness of it's work, but also by the nature of it's maker.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Xavier and the Art Blues
Time was when Art and Xavier were singing the blues.
In less than 2 weeks, the whole scene is bound to change as Xavier Artists begin their ascent and wake up from a deep deep slumber.
A full spectrum of media will open: from acrylics, oil, watercolor, pencil, marble, cast iron, and much more will make their debut in the Art exhibit. The Art backwater that was once was the bastion of business and entrepreneurship will at last have an Art tradition it can be proud to call its own.
These pioneering (8) eight - Mikko Sison, Seb Chua, Fred Tan, Owen Tiam, Robert Tan, Kylo Chua, Jed Tan, and Rudy Yu will showcase their Art in a gallery owned by a Xavierian Alumni himself - Simoun Balboa. It is but the first, they say, of many shows to come, and gives birth to the recognition of Arts in the School's hallowed halls.
For skeptics and aficionados alike - there is but one phrase to say: Show us what you got.
Perhaps, Xavier's Art scene will no longer be singing the blues...
In less than 2 weeks, the whole scene is bound to change as Xavier Artists begin their ascent and wake up from a deep deep slumber.
A full spectrum of media will open: from acrylics, oil, watercolor, pencil, marble, cast iron, and much more will make their debut in the Art exhibit. The Art backwater that was once was the bastion of business and entrepreneurship will at last have an Art tradition it can be proud to call its own.
These pioneering (8) eight - Mikko Sison, Seb Chua, Fred Tan, Owen Tiam, Robert Tan, Kylo Chua, Jed Tan, and Rudy Yu will showcase their Art in a gallery owned by a Xavierian Alumni himself - Simoun Balboa. It is but the first, they say, of many shows to come, and gives birth to the recognition of Arts in the School's hallowed halls.
For skeptics and aficionados alike - there is but one phrase to say: Show us what you got.
Perhaps, Xavier's Art scene will no longer be singing the blues...
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Let Your Light Shine
A mere 13 days away, the XAG show is poised to open in less than 2 weeks after being planned in January.
Paintings are now finished, walls prepared, and sculpting tools being put away as Xavier's Alumni Art Guild tries to build a glorious legacy in a school whose storied history is filled with everything but Art.
There is that fantasy that a National Artist can emerge from this once-obscure field in Xavier. No one had an idea what would happen if the Guild was set up. The founders thought they would be lucky to get 20 members.
Nothing prepared them for what happened next.
Like a tipping point for a sudden explosion, membership reached 20 in less than 5 days, growing rapidly as the social networks and word of mouth spread news of the Guild's existence. After a month, it had more than 70 members - painters, sculptors, musicians, copywriters, film editors, and more. Contact was made to the school, and the alumni association. Today, XAG's ranks have swelled to over a hundred if you count those without a Facebook or social network account.
Of course, the jury is still out on the success of the show, never mind whether this Guild would last. But its members have the passion and skills that can place them in the pantheon of accomplished Alumni from Xavier itself. The school and the Alumni association would still need to assist the Guild as it streaks towards it's goals.
The road ahead is one tough slog. But with a place it could finally call a home, XAG, or the Xavier Alumni Art Guild has the foundation to which in can build on.
Paintings are now finished, walls prepared, and sculpting tools being put away as Xavier's Alumni Art Guild tries to build a glorious legacy in a school whose storied history is filled with everything but Art.
There is that fantasy that a National Artist can emerge from this once-obscure field in Xavier. No one had an idea what would happen if the Guild was set up. The founders thought they would be lucky to get 20 members.
Nothing prepared them for what happened next.
Like a tipping point for a sudden explosion, membership reached 20 in less than 5 days, growing rapidly as the social networks and word of mouth spread news of the Guild's existence. After a month, it had more than 70 members - painters, sculptors, musicians, copywriters, film editors, and more. Contact was made to the school, and the alumni association. Today, XAG's ranks have swelled to over a hundred if you count those without a Facebook or social network account.
Of course, the jury is still out on the success of the show, never mind whether this Guild would last. But its members have the passion and skills that can place them in the pantheon of accomplished Alumni from Xavier itself. The school and the Alumni association would still need to assist the Guild as it streaks towards it's goals.
The road ahead is one tough slog. But with a place it could finally call a home, XAG, or the Xavier Alumni Art Guild has the foundation to which in can build on.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
An Oxymoron: Art at Xavier?
Many people will be shocked by the fact that a small band of renegade Artists formed the XAG. The Xavier Alumni Art Guild.
Artists from Xavier? Really.
They make CEO's, businessmen, and captains of industry, you say. So does it really make sense?
Here are the cold facts: The Philippine economy is controlled, in large part, by the minority Filipino-Chinese, who comprise about 10% of the population. However, some estimates have them controlling as large as 75% of the economy, if not bigger. Many of this ethnic group come from none other than Xavier.
That's what making Art synonymous with Xavier so mind boggling. Are they not satisfied with 75% of the economy? Now, they want a chunk of the Art scene as well?
Well, no. There have always been artists from Xavier. Maybe closet artists. They're the ones who hide in their locked bedrooms and paint or sculpt in their palatial houses, while playing music, and cutting movies in the back room. Remember, a room full of gunpowder just needs one thing to make it all explode.
The XAG will be the spark that makes this happen.
It all starts April 30th.
Artists from Xavier? Really.
They make CEO's, businessmen, and captains of industry, you say. So does it really make sense?
Here are the cold facts: The Philippine economy is controlled, in large part, by the minority Filipino-Chinese, who comprise about 10% of the population. However, some estimates have them controlling as large as 75% of the economy, if not bigger. Many of this ethnic group come from none other than Xavier.
That's what making Art synonymous with Xavier so mind boggling. Are they not satisfied with 75% of the economy? Now, they want a chunk of the Art scene as well?
Well, no. There have always been artists from Xavier. Maybe closet artists. They're the ones who hide in their locked bedrooms and paint or sculpt in their palatial houses, while playing music, and cutting movies in the back room. Remember, a room full of gunpowder just needs one thing to make it all explode.
The XAG will be the spark that makes this happen.
It all starts April 30th.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Why "Luceat Lux " is Important
For the many of the exclusive boys schools in Manila, their curriculums allow them to take Art electives in high school - drafting, for instance.
As a wide eyed freshman taking Architecture, imagine the horror when you are asked to draft your first floor plan in the 1st semester of College. Predictably, that freshman did horribly, not even knowing how to handle straight edges, or T-squares. Only with his friends' intervention did he manage to produce what could generously be called a 'floor plan'.
And this is the reason for why "Luceat Lux", the first Xavier Art Show is important. It is to kick-start the Arts program in Xavier well into the student body's high school years. It is to teach him how to sculpt, how to handle paint, or even how to handle technical pens when or if he decides to go into the performing Arts in tertiary education.
XAG, or the Xavier Alumni Art Guild, isn't just about sculpting or painting. It reaches out into the deeper fringes of the performing Arts and attempts to educate every Xavierian willing to embrace and appreciate the Arts.
Let's be realistic. There are no shortages of naysayers who believe there is no money in Art. Parents of students in Xavier come from well-heeled families, or established entrepreneurs. Most of them expect their children to take over the reins of their businesses once their children graduate from College. And there lies the crux of the vicious cycle that will relegate the Arts into a career of "no monetary" benefit into the minds of these families.
This is what XAG is trying to change. If there is no support system, there can be few or no Artists emanating from the Xavier school system. Many of the XAG members have taken it upon themselves to reach out to a career in the Arts on their own. And just look across to Xavier's rival schools and their Art programs - they are the envy of many a Xavierian student's yearning for the Arts.
Would it be so far fetched to say that a National Artist will come from the ranks of this renowned Jesuit school one day? Not so, if the mechanism is in place and supported.
Do we need more compelling reasons to say why XAG is needed? If it had been in place some odd 30 years ago, then that wide-eyed Architecture student wouldn't have had to rely on his fellow classmates from LaSalle for help drafting.
That student was none other than yours truly.
As a wide eyed freshman taking Architecture, imagine the horror when you are asked to draft your first floor plan in the 1st semester of College. Predictably, that freshman did horribly, not even knowing how to handle straight edges, or T-squares. Only with his friends' intervention did he manage to produce what could generously be called a 'floor plan'.
And this is the reason for why "Luceat Lux", the first Xavier Art Show is important. It is to kick-start the Arts program in Xavier well into the student body's high school years. It is to teach him how to sculpt, how to handle paint, or even how to handle technical pens when or if he decides to go into the performing Arts in tertiary education.
XAG, or the Xavier Alumni Art Guild, isn't just about sculpting or painting. It reaches out into the deeper fringes of the performing Arts and attempts to educate every Xavierian willing to embrace and appreciate the Arts.
Let's be realistic. There are no shortages of naysayers who believe there is no money in Art. Parents of students in Xavier come from well-heeled families, or established entrepreneurs. Most of them expect their children to take over the reins of their businesses once their children graduate from College. And there lies the crux of the vicious cycle that will relegate the Arts into a career of "no monetary" benefit into the minds of these families.
This is what XAG is trying to change. If there is no support system, there can be few or no Artists emanating from the Xavier school system. Many of the XAG members have taken it upon themselves to reach out to a career in the Arts on their own. And just look across to Xavier's rival schools and their Art programs - they are the envy of many a Xavierian student's yearning for the Arts.
Would it be so far fetched to say that a National Artist will come from the ranks of this renowned Jesuit school one day? Not so, if the mechanism is in place and supported.
Do we need more compelling reasons to say why XAG is needed? If it had been in place some odd 30 years ago, then that wide-eyed Architecture student wouldn't have had to rely on his fellow classmates from LaSalle for help drafting.
That student was none other than yours truly.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Luceat Lux
The 1st ever Xavier Art Exhibit will start in 14 days.
At first glance, perhaps just small steps for a fledgling but talented and creative group of alumni, but a quantum leap in the world of Xavier - long known for producing businessmen, entrepreneurs, and a sprinkling of Doctors, Engineers, and the likes.
That may all be about to change.
The first eight artists will show their skills in painting, and sculpture. If you understand the Xavier curriculum, the Art ceases after grade school. Therefore, for these artists to persist, perservere, and finally have their craft exhibited is no small feat at all.
Take the exemplary skills of Seb Chua, whose parents owned a business. He gave a nod to his family's interest, but still managed to become a brilliant and skilled sculptor with the added bonus of becoming an impeccable painter in his own right. Kylo Chua followed his dad's footsteps and became a sublime sculptor with his own claim to fame. Jed Tan drew sketches of landscapes and beaches while working the family grocery. The stories are as astounding as they are endless.
The Artists have a grand vision in mind: to build and establish the Ysmael Zuluoaga Centre for the Arts in the school grounds itself.
The goals are noble: assist in expanding and improving the current Art curriculum in Xavier; create a hub for future budding Artists in their developmental stage in grade school; hold exhibits, seminars or workshops; and giving back to the poor and unfortunate - perhaps the very traits Francis Xavier himself could have envisioned as he travelled and attempted to spread the faith.
These are exciting times in the Xavier community, as Art will now attempt to make an impact not just in the Alumni community, but in the entire student body as well.
Fasten you seat belts and enjoy the show. Get your acrylics, watercolors, pens, sculpting tools and other materials ready. The real show is only beginning.
At first glance, perhaps just small steps for a fledgling but talented and creative group of alumni, but a quantum leap in the world of Xavier - long known for producing businessmen, entrepreneurs, and a sprinkling of Doctors, Engineers, and the likes.
That may all be about to change.
The first eight artists will show their skills in painting, and sculpture. If you understand the Xavier curriculum, the Art ceases after grade school. Therefore, for these artists to persist, perservere, and finally have their craft exhibited is no small feat at all.
Take the exemplary skills of Seb Chua, whose parents owned a business. He gave a nod to his family's interest, but still managed to become a brilliant and skilled sculptor with the added bonus of becoming an impeccable painter in his own right. Kylo Chua followed his dad's footsteps and became a sublime sculptor with his own claim to fame. Jed Tan drew sketches of landscapes and beaches while working the family grocery. The stories are as astounding as they are endless.
The Artists have a grand vision in mind: to build and establish the Ysmael Zuluoaga Centre for the Arts in the school grounds itself.
The goals are noble: assist in expanding and improving the current Art curriculum in Xavier; create a hub for future budding Artists in their developmental stage in grade school; hold exhibits, seminars or workshops; and giving back to the poor and unfortunate - perhaps the very traits Francis Xavier himself could have envisioned as he travelled and attempted to spread the faith.
These are exciting times in the Xavier community, as Art will now attempt to make an impact not just in the Alumni community, but in the entire student body as well.
Fasten you seat belts and enjoy the show. Get your acrylics, watercolors, pens, sculpting tools and other materials ready. The real show is only beginning.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Immortality
After "Vigan Dreams", the 7x5 piece made for Rudy's spouse, the so-called 'style' people have been accustomed to seeing from this once reclusive artist has unwittingly acquired a reputation for detailed, highly rendered pen and ink, acrylic art.
The art has evolved over the years, but a common denominator still exists. Never mind the watercolors, which still is in almost every painting, the white gouache, and colored and grey pencil, which have all somehow managed to find themselves included in the leviathan piece. Rudy's cousin, Trish, was right all along - people will always be looking for that style from the artist, no matter how much evolution or change has taken place.
It is, after all, the "Taj Majal" dedicated (and rightfully so) to his spouse who has toiled and carried the family financially for the most part. No artist is ever perfect, and Mr. Yu certainly isn't about to claim that mantle ever. He still considers himself a plain overachiever - someone who can outlast the others because he can paint longer hours.
The comments have been humbling and helps keep the Artist's feet firmly planted on the ground. It matters not that the talent will be terrific in the future, nor was it ever fantastic to begin with, but the lofty flattery will go miles in helping to keep his humility and will not eliminate the discomfort coming from all the adulation he gets. In other words, they can say everything and anything they want. Those words will never get to the Artist's head.
After the 'Taj', the artist says he can die now. The funny thing is everyone thinks he was kidding. The truth is, if he could leave this earth without worrying about his wife and children, maybe he would.
Heck, Van Gough tore an ear off and took his life. He is immortal.
Immortality is the ultimate high.
The art has evolved over the years, but a common denominator still exists. Never mind the watercolors, which still is in almost every painting, the white gouache, and colored and grey pencil, which have all somehow managed to find themselves included in the leviathan piece. Rudy's cousin, Trish, was right all along - people will always be looking for that style from the artist, no matter how much evolution or change has taken place.
It is, after all, the "Taj Majal" dedicated (and rightfully so) to his spouse who has toiled and carried the family financially for the most part. No artist is ever perfect, and Mr. Yu certainly isn't about to claim that mantle ever. He still considers himself a plain overachiever - someone who can outlast the others because he can paint longer hours.
The comments have been humbling and helps keep the Artist's feet firmly planted on the ground. It matters not that the talent will be terrific in the future, nor was it ever fantastic to begin with, but the lofty flattery will go miles in helping to keep his humility and will not eliminate the discomfort coming from all the adulation he gets. In other words, they can say everything and anything they want. Those words will never get to the Artist's head.
After the 'Taj', the artist says he can die now. The funny thing is everyone thinks he was kidding. The truth is, if he could leave this earth without worrying about his wife and children, maybe he would.
Heck, Van Gough tore an ear off and took his life. He is immortal.
Immortality is the ultimate high.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Terminal 3
I'm sitting on the floor of an airport terminal writing this. This is my jaunt, my getaway, and respite from the tumult that is the big city. Of course, the contrast between that and Iloilo province is so stark, I need to figure out what I want to do with the spare time I expect to have in the next coming days. But I should enjoy it - 3 days is exactly 72 hours, and in the larger scheme of life in general, it really isn't that much free time.
So, there will be no acrylics, no painting, no watercolor, or pen and ink drawings for the next three days, but that's really quite alright. A little rest is better than none at all, and I am only too glad to soak it all in, get a few days off, visit with family, and maybe get a little art in.
That’s it. Blogging from Terminal 3.
Wow.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
April Beckoning
I guess this is the month that determines whether all this devotion to painting, to building the guild, and all the blogs and facebook forays will be worth the trouble or not. I feel I still need a full time job at some point to make ends meet without having my mother or family bail me out time and again.
I also feel that the acrylics I use today are not the same as how I used it in even just months back. It's more like using it like watercolor, and exploiting it's forgiving nature as opposed to the finality and no-going back nature of pen and ink. Pencil is still a great forgiving medium, but if one feels that pen and inks do not pay a lot (black and white), wait till you use pencils. Unsprayed with fixative, or left open to the elements without any coating or glass to protect it, pencil will wither away.
So, it is 26 days and counting, and my site isn't even up yet - that's basically a Hannah and Rudy problem. She simply has too much going on with her school, personal life, and side jobs, although I must say she is the sweetest thing coming out of Ateneo. A great writer and programmer, I have cast my lot on her to help propel my site, and my Art. therudedude.com, or theruddude.com is my ticket to the big leagues, more so than the aforementioned facebook and other social sites.
Let's hope it ends up a great month.
I also feel that the acrylics I use today are not the same as how I used it in even just months back. It's more like using it like watercolor, and exploiting it's forgiving nature as opposed to the finality and no-going back nature of pen and ink. Pencil is still a great forgiving medium, but if one feels that pen and inks do not pay a lot (black and white), wait till you use pencils. Unsprayed with fixative, or left open to the elements without any coating or glass to protect it, pencil will wither away.
So, it is 26 days and counting, and my site isn't even up yet - that's basically a Hannah and Rudy problem. She simply has too much going on with her school, personal life, and side jobs, although I must say she is the sweetest thing coming out of Ateneo. A great writer and programmer, I have cast my lot on her to help propel my site, and my Art. therudedude.com, or theruddude.com is my ticket to the big leagues, more so than the aforementioned facebook and other social sites.
Let's hope it ends up a great month.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
A Different Type of Acrylics and Painting
I cannot believe I am doing this: Blogging while getting a foot spa, or my nails cut and cleaned. Never have done it before, but there's always a first. The main thing is that this is the 1st time I am relaxed over the last 4 months, and it isn't even about money.
The paintings are done, all 5 of them. All the acrylics, watercolor, pen & ink, and pencil drawings have been done. Only 3 remain needing a frame, and that is essentially a cinch with my framer coming tomorrow, and sealing the deal. Flying off to the province to see my mother and possibly getting a painting or drawing job done will be nice, if not short (the trip is for 3 days).
I hope the relatively low price of my art will prove itself worthy of an increase after the exhibit this April 30th - a big deal considering all the hype the Art Guild I formed has built up around it. I would say the giant 7x5 piece will get a lot of viewers, if not a few inquiries to how much it costs (it's not for sale), but when you start talking about prices approaching seven figures, your other pieces will rise in value as well. Or, at least, that's the hope.
A normal painting I sell now is about 20-30K, Philippine currency. I hope that figure changes after the exhibit, and I can start charging in the 30-40K range, which would make selling 1 or more paintings a month, equal to or greater than whatever I use to make working for either my brother or my best friend.
Lets hope this is the year I breakout.
The paintings are done, all 5 of them. All the acrylics, watercolor, pen & ink, and pencil drawings have been done. Only 3 remain needing a frame, and that is essentially a cinch with my framer coming tomorrow, and sealing the deal. Flying off to the province to see my mother and possibly getting a painting or drawing job done will be nice, if not short (the trip is for 3 days).
I hope the relatively low price of my art will prove itself worthy of an increase after the exhibit this April 30th - a big deal considering all the hype the Art Guild I formed has built up around it. I would say the giant 7x5 piece will get a lot of viewers, if not a few inquiries to how much it costs (it's not for sale), but when you start talking about prices approaching seven figures, your other pieces will rise in value as well. Or, at least, that's the hope.
A normal painting I sell now is about 20-30K, Philippine currency. I hope that figure changes after the exhibit, and I can start charging in the 30-40K range, which would make selling 1 or more paintings a month, equal to or greater than whatever I use to make working for either my brother or my best friend.
Lets hope this is the year I breakout.
Friday, April 1, 2011
The 1st of April
Big month ahead. Actually, I have managed to lay a lot of eggs around the lot, and they appear to be bearing some promise. I'm careful to say this because I don't want to jinx it, but if everything goes according to plan, I should find myself in better spirits by the end of the month, or by the end of the year.
I have a three day sabbatical scheduled for the 3rd of April till the 7th in Ilo-ilo. Yeah, I had to pick a sleepy part of the country to re-energize, but at this point I don't really have anyplace else to go that would not require spending a lot of money, because money, naturally, is an issue - always.
But I have no complaints: I've managed to paint 5 pieces, ranging from the 7x5 foot behemoth, to a slightly more tolerable 12" x 18" piece. Such is my life, and such is my lot. I have chosen this path because it may be the only path I know, and that is the brutal truth of the matter.
There can never be amount paintings, art, watercolor, pen & ink, gouache, and pencil drawings I can ever paint, that even if I were doing it for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, will still never be enough.
At least, that is the perception I have with how my wife look at me right now.
I have a three day sabbatical scheduled for the 3rd of April till the 7th in Ilo-ilo. Yeah, I had to pick a sleepy part of the country to re-energize, but at this point I don't really have anyplace else to go that would not require spending a lot of money, because money, naturally, is an issue - always.
But I have no complaints: I've managed to paint 5 pieces, ranging from the 7x5 foot behemoth, to a slightly more tolerable 12" x 18" piece. Such is my life, and such is my lot. I have chosen this path because it may be the only path I know, and that is the brutal truth of the matter.
There can never be amount paintings, art, watercolor, pen & ink, gouache, and pencil drawings I can ever paint, that even if I were doing it for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, will still never be enough.
At least, that is the perception I have with how my wife look at me right now.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Uncertain
The past few days have been a roller coaster of sorts, at least emotionally for me. I won't get into specifics, but I feel tired, emotionally-stressed, and singled out most, if not all times. You can call it whining if you want because that's exactly what it is.
Here I am, diligently doing my art, treating it like work, and have had several promising leads, but I feel my life is like a boat being tossed about in the ocean. All this, of course, affects the acrylics, the pen and ink, pencils, watercolor and other media I use.
I have finished 4 pieces of Artwork, in a matter of almost 4 months, including the 7x5 behemoth I gave Ana. Quite fast if you stop and think, that I have almost always never painted full time. In any event the show goes on. April 30th looms nearer, the coordination between myself and the other Artists, the Xavier mural commission, and meeting with Johnny has me having very high personal expectations.
This cannot and will not fail.
I'm sorry for this shrill outburst, but I will admit to feeling better.
Here I am, diligently doing my art, treating it like work, and have had several promising leads, but I feel my life is like a boat being tossed about in the ocean. All this, of course, affects the acrylics, the pen and ink, pencils, watercolor and other media I use.
I have finished 4 pieces of Artwork, in a matter of almost 4 months, including the 7x5 behemoth I gave Ana. Quite fast if you stop and think, that I have almost always never painted full time. In any event the show goes on. April 30th looms nearer, the coordination between myself and the other Artists, the Xavier mural commission, and meeting with Johnny has me having very high personal expectations.
This cannot and will not fail.
I'm sorry for this shrill outburst, but I will admit to feeling better.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
My Taj Mahal
Indian culture taught us about a prince whose affection and devotion to his wife made him create the ultimate icon of love: The Taj Mahal - often dubbed as one of the great wonders of mankind, and rightfully so. After all, who would make such an immaculate and impeccable edifice to demonstrate his love?
In a humbler, and, of course, much lesser known way, I created and finished my own Taj Mahal for my wife, whom I have taken for granted many times, and whose love for me now is in question. Nevertheless, I have toiled and managed to complete a 7x5 foot piece, which is nowhere near as flawless as the Taj, but just as tedious and painstaking to do as well.
The piece highlights all media: watercolor, pen & ink, gouache, acrylic, and pencil. The piece will always be a constant work in progress because there are always things I can add to it, but chose instead to declare it, 'finished' as the April 30 exhibit deadline looms. But to use all the media on it is a testament to my devotion to my wife, who may not believe that she is the one most important reason why I have not left this world yet.
Using all media symbolically means using all the means and skill to serve and love her.
The Taj was never intended to wash away all the wrongs I have done (those are like paint stains on my white shirts that may fade, but will stay permanently), however, it goes to atone to some degree, the misplaced priorities I have made in the past, and hopefully foretells what is to follow in the future, if there is one.
At least for now, I can meet my maker and be rid of the remaining demons in my mind.
In a humbler, and, of course, much lesser known way, I created and finished my own Taj Mahal for my wife, whom I have taken for granted many times, and whose love for me now is in question. Nevertheless, I have toiled and managed to complete a 7x5 foot piece, which is nowhere near as flawless as the Taj, but just as tedious and painstaking to do as well.
The piece highlights all media: watercolor, pen & ink, gouache, acrylic, and pencil. The piece will always be a constant work in progress because there are always things I can add to it, but chose instead to declare it, 'finished' as the April 30 exhibit deadline looms. But to use all the media on it is a testament to my devotion to my wife, who may not believe that she is the one most important reason why I have not left this world yet.
Using all media symbolically means using all the means and skill to serve and love her.
The Taj was never intended to wash away all the wrongs I have done (those are like paint stains on my white shirts that may fade, but will stay permanently), however, it goes to atone to some degree, the misplaced priorities I have made in the past, and hopefully foretells what is to follow in the future, if there is one.
At least for now, I can meet my maker and be rid of the remaining demons in my mind.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
A Last Minute Hitch
My web designer is probably loving me by now. Yet, more changes to an ever-evolving website, that was designed, for all intents, to launch last week.
Yet, here I am delaying it again, because of (yes, you guessed it) the comment of a friend. The montage of the beginning is too fast, and too repetitive (it appears on every page in the site), but this time I think it is an advice that's right on. You can always revise things after you launch, but I am always of the opinion that if you can't start something off with at least some semblance of normality, then you shouldn't launch at all.
I got commissioned work today, albeit from a different source. Sometimes, you never think that your old school will ever come along for you to come in and do work for them, but it happened. The school asked that I create a mural - and of what scale! 50' x 8' or more. Acrylics, lacquer, or latex will be the order of media, but the key is to maintain something that'll last long term.
This is an ambitious project, but if it works, it will place my alma mater on the art map, perhaps even reinvigorate the school Art program. Plenty of work to be done, including meeting with the fellow guild members, and coming up with an acceptable theme and layout, but I'm confident it will. The idea of painting full time as an artist has always appealed to me, and this is exactly what I have asked God for.
So everything is hold again, until I get the website glitches fixed, until I get the Guild members to agree and meet on a concept, and proceed from point A to B with the powers at be at my old school.
Bring it On!
www.theruddude.com
Yet, here I am delaying it again, because of (yes, you guessed it) the comment of a friend. The montage of the beginning is too fast, and too repetitive (it appears on every page in the site), but this time I think it is an advice that's right on. You can always revise things after you launch, but I am always of the opinion that if you can't start something off with at least some semblance of normality, then you shouldn't launch at all.
I got commissioned work today, albeit from a different source. Sometimes, you never think that your old school will ever come along for you to come in and do work for them, but it happened. The school asked that I create a mural - and of what scale! 50' x 8' or more. Acrylics, lacquer, or latex will be the order of media, but the key is to maintain something that'll last long term.
This is an ambitious project, but if it works, it will place my alma mater on the art map, perhaps even reinvigorate the school Art program. Plenty of work to be done, including meeting with the fellow guild members, and coming up with an acceptable theme and layout, but I'm confident it will. The idea of painting full time as an artist has always appealed to me, and this is exactly what I have asked God for.
So everything is hold again, until I get the website glitches fixed, until I get the Guild members to agree and meet on a concept, and proceed from point A to B with the powers at be at my old school.
Bring it On!
www.theruddude.com
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
And Then there was Three
Three pieces. Seemingly an unreachable number when you think about a show that will start by April 30, but it is an eternity when you consider that I just finished a gargantuan 7x5 piece of tedious pen and ink drawing married with acrylics, watercolors, and pencil.
Doing the blue 18"x24" pieces are a cinch compared to the previous pieces. I have my site set to launch this week, and Xavier has come a calling for some project they want me to do. It seems that my Art finally beginning to grow roots and a following.
There are several ways I approach my art - it all starts with the concept: what do I want to do? what medium am I using? what is unique about the piece that will set it apart from the others? Seems like complicated questions, but once you have all those down, it takes a jiffy to get it to pencil.
Then, comes the hue of the piece - what color do you want to use to set the tone of your art? Warm and sunny tones almost always feature yellow, and yellow-orange backgrounds, while colder pieces (which my mother likes) are always set in blues, even purple. If there was ever a technique the Acadamy of Art University taught me, it has to be this because I rarely ever paint without a colored background.
Get set for theruddude.com
Anyway, onwards to more painting.
Doing the blue 18"x24" pieces are a cinch compared to the previous pieces. I have my site set to launch this week, and Xavier has come a calling for some project they want me to do. It seems that my Art finally beginning to grow roots and a following.
There are several ways I approach my art - it all starts with the concept: what do I want to do? what medium am I using? what is unique about the piece that will set it apart from the others? Seems like complicated questions, but once you have all those down, it takes a jiffy to get it to pencil.
Then, comes the hue of the piece - what color do you want to use to set the tone of your art? Warm and sunny tones almost always feature yellow, and yellow-orange backgrounds, while colder pieces (which my mother likes) are always set in blues, even purple. If there was ever a technique the Acadamy of Art University taught me, it has to be this because I rarely ever paint without a colored background.
Get set for theruddude.com
Anyway, onwards to more painting.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
The End In Sight
85% is not a bad number to have in terms of how much work you've put in on a piece that's 6'X4' large. The framing and extenders will likely make it more closer to 7'X5', but it's at a stage that none of the size, minor mistakes, and beautiful detail matter anymore.
This acrylic, watercolor, pen & ink behemoth is both a monster and a masterpiece. Done for my wife, I've never done anything this large before, and will likely not do it again (unless someone offers the moon). But an important factor is the availability of brown ink - discontinued in production by Rotring which has left me scrambling to find Red and Green ink (which combines to make many shades of brown).
I've decided to do pieces number 2, 3, 4, & 5 in blue ink, not just because of the abundance of blue, but also because in the past, many have responded well with the way I handle my relatively monochromatic blue pieces. Perhaps a dash of purple is thrown in for good measure, and the attention-grabbing yellow is thrown in to capture your eye, but all in all, everything else will be in blue.
So, it is time to wrap up this time and soul consuming 6x4 piece and turn my attention to other pieces as the April 30th show nears. We need to finish everything that's going up on a wall by April 14th, and being the de facto head honcho of XAG is kind of a drag because everything is channelled through me.
The way this was designed to operate was to allow my own personal site, http://www.theruddude.com to have reciprocal back links with the upcoming XAG site - exposing my work/site more and allowing more social media traffic. However, coordinating the work of 7 artists with that of my own and fixing the catering + arranging the culinary arts people to stage their demo on the show's opening is a full time job by itself.
It's time to roll up my sleeves and suck it up even more.
This acrylic, watercolor, pen & ink behemoth is both a monster and a masterpiece. Done for my wife, I've never done anything this large before, and will likely not do it again (unless someone offers the moon). But an important factor is the availability of brown ink - discontinued in production by Rotring which has left me scrambling to find Red and Green ink (which combines to make many shades of brown).
I've decided to do pieces number 2, 3, 4, & 5 in blue ink, not just because of the abundance of blue, but also because in the past, many have responded well with the way I handle my relatively monochromatic blue pieces. Perhaps a dash of purple is thrown in for good measure, and the attention-grabbing yellow is thrown in to capture your eye, but all in all, everything else will be in blue.
So, it is time to wrap up this time and soul consuming 6x4 piece and turn my attention to other pieces as the April 30th show nears. We need to finish everything that's going up on a wall by April 14th, and being the de facto head honcho of XAG is kind of a drag because everything is channelled through me.
The way this was designed to operate was to allow my own personal site, http://www.theruddude.com to have reciprocal back links with the upcoming XAG site - exposing my work/site more and allowing more social media traffic. However, coordinating the work of 7 artists with that of my own and fixing the catering + arranging the culinary arts people to stage their demo on the show's opening is a full time job by itself.
It's time to roll up my sleeves and suck it up even more.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
a Third of the Way
I have reached the 30% mark for my giant 6x4 piece (not 7x5, as I have previously mentioned. The progress has been pretty fast except for the last 2 days because it is a weekend and I have to tend to my marriage, our family's needs and a little R & R with friends. So while it's been fast before the weekend, the distractions have slowed me down.
I am growing to like painting and drawing in acrylic, but it does not remove my love watercolors and pen and ink. The latest work actually involves all 3 media - with a little Gouache thrown in for good measure. The base and many parts of the artwork is in vibrant acrylics, the details in pen and ink, while the highlights and finishing touches come in watercolors and Gouache. I am growing to like my personal Taj Mahal by the day because I get more excited when I see my work progress, and when I am that much closer to the finish line, I work even faster and burn the midnight oil. Such is life for an artist.
While I do not bask in the glow of recognition just yet and I live the feast or famine life with my finances, I think I have made the better choice as far as my sanity is concerned, and as far as my abilities will take me knowing full well that recognition will come only in time and prolific painting as well as my death. Should I be fortunate enough to be recognized for my so-called talent after my death, if I should be so fortunate, then so be it.
You get recognized for your skills only after you're dead anyway.
I am growing to like painting and drawing in acrylic, but it does not remove my love watercolors and pen and ink. The latest work actually involves all 3 media - with a little Gouache thrown in for good measure. The base and many parts of the artwork is in vibrant acrylics, the details in pen and ink, while the highlights and finishing touches come in watercolors and Gouache. I am growing to like my personal Taj Mahal by the day because I get more excited when I see my work progress, and when I am that much closer to the finish line, I work even faster and burn the midnight oil. Such is life for an artist.
While I do not bask in the glow of recognition just yet and I live the feast or famine life with my finances, I think I have made the better choice as far as my sanity is concerned, and as far as my abilities will take me knowing full well that recognition will come only in time and prolific painting as well as my death. Should I be fortunate enough to be recognized for my so-called talent after my death, if I should be so fortunate, then so be it.
You get recognized for your skills only after you're dead anyway.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Shock and Awe
The 'mother of all paintings' ( my version of the biggest artwork I've ever done) is now 20% complete. Right on course for the March finish. It's got everything - acrylics, watercolor, pen & ink, gouache, and pencil. The ultimate mix media. It will be the crowning achievement once done. I'm giddy and excited, looking forward to landing this on my site, which, after my web designer showed me the progress today, leads me to believe that I will have the launch sometime in late February.
This is all part of a massive undertaking - the complete overhaul of my career, and the full time devotion to painting as if it were a job. I now wake up daily treating this as a FT job - eight hours a day, breaks taken, and my full and undivided attention to painting. This allows for the speed which the artwork is being done. I am confident, unless something major happens that this piece will find its' way to the framer's shop by the first week of March. Sure, the framing costs will be unprecedented, but so is the painting, and it's quality.
I do feel a sense of gratitude to the social networks for the sales I have garnered in the last 4 weeks - 2 commissions and 2 pieces sold in the US, and another 2 locally. Still cheap by international standards, I prefer this approach than to come out with a bang and start charging the moon. Not in my nature, but it is a must. Like wall street, almost all stocks start priced low, while slowly moving up as the quantity increases, and the demand perks up.
And so it goes on. 20% done with another 80 to go. This is actually the most challenging portion of the painting because it is easy to quit, but I actually feel energized. This is my shock and awe piece, the piece where people who look at it will be mesmerized looking, get sucked in, and be staring at it indefinitely. I'm going to submit other pieces, which will not have the same detail or size as this one takes the cake. This one will hog the attention of it's 4 smaller cousins.
Bring it on.
This is all part of a massive undertaking - the complete overhaul of my career, and the full time devotion to painting as if it were a job. I now wake up daily treating this as a FT job - eight hours a day, breaks taken, and my full and undivided attention to painting. This allows for the speed which the artwork is being done. I am confident, unless something major happens that this piece will find its' way to the framer's shop by the first week of March. Sure, the framing costs will be unprecedented, but so is the painting, and it's quality.
I do feel a sense of gratitude to the social networks for the sales I have garnered in the last 4 weeks - 2 commissions and 2 pieces sold in the US, and another 2 locally. Still cheap by international standards, I prefer this approach than to come out with a bang and start charging the moon. Not in my nature, but it is a must. Like wall street, almost all stocks start priced low, while slowly moving up as the quantity increases, and the demand perks up.
And so it goes on. 20% done with another 80 to go. This is actually the most challenging portion of the painting because it is easy to quit, but I actually feel energized. This is my shock and awe piece, the piece where people who look at it will be mesmerized looking, get sucked in, and be staring at it indefinitely. I'm going to submit other pieces, which will not have the same detail or size as this one takes the cake. This one will hog the attention of it's 4 smaller cousins.
Bring it on.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
10%
The full throttle scaling of my version of Mount Everest continues unabated as I now have complimented 10% of my huge 7'x5' acrylic, watercolor, pen & ink, and pencil piece. So many media, so many strokes - I wonder what the viewers are going to say once they feast their eyes on this. I've got a long ways to go before this is completed, but it's easy to get excited over this piece.
Of course, the whole intent is to make it the first painting people see when they come to my 5-piece exhibit. Probably not the 4 smaller ones, thats for sure, but this biggest art piece I've ever done in my life. Too bad the gallery is never gonna get a cent out of this - it's for my wife. Her name appears in animated form 21 times, to signal the 21 years of marriage. I know it's corny, but it matters that only I know about this.
I feel giddy moving forward, but I'm even more excited my web designer would be seeing it because, the last time she was here, she only saw the penciling of the artwork, and it wasn't even done yet. Now, the rendering and the painting is done, and even my own domestic helper is saying it's a masterpiece - of course, that's something I would never admit, but painting of this proportion is exactly that because I probably can never make another one at this size. I'm pricing this out of buyer's range - 600K to be exact. Plus, a limited print edition of maybe 10 pieces, framed, at a naturally much lower price.
I'm pumped
Of course, the whole intent is to make it the first painting people see when they come to my 5-piece exhibit. Probably not the 4 smaller ones, thats for sure, but this biggest art piece I've ever done in my life. Too bad the gallery is never gonna get a cent out of this - it's for my wife. Her name appears in animated form 21 times, to signal the 21 years of marriage. I know it's corny, but it matters that only I know about this.
I feel giddy moving forward, but I'm even more excited my web designer would be seeing it because, the last time she was here, she only saw the penciling of the artwork, and it wasn't even done yet. Now, the rendering and the painting is done, and even my own domestic helper is saying it's a masterpiece - of course, that's something I would never admit, but painting of this proportion is exactly that because I probably can never make another one at this size. I'm pricing this out of buyer's range - 600K to be exact. Plus, a limited print edition of maybe 10 pieces, framed, at a naturally much lower price.
I'm pumped
Monday, February 7, 2011
Snowball
It's taken me a while to get another blog posted because the last few days has seen a flurry of sales on my so-called art. Nothing to complain - If I count the orders from the US, along with the orders locally, they number around 6 now, and all that a mere 5 weeks after the Facebook bombardment of my watercolor, acrylic, and pen & ink pieces. My site isn't even up yet, but the orders are beginning to snowball.
I need to get back to painting right after I finish this blog as the 7x5 piece awaits me. It is now 2/3 complete with pencil. The fun and actually, the hardest, part in all this is painting and inking it out. This is by far the biggest piece I have ever made in my entire life. I used to say I would never ever be able to make another one, but just yesterday, my son made the off-handed comment of doing another piece in the same size but only in blue. Hence, another challenge.
This one belongs to Ana and is priced not to sell. No fool will buy it for 600K, even though the effort to complete this masterpiece can only be done (I like to think) by me. It will serve as a barometer against which my other pieces are judged and valued. And, as a final piece of satisfaction - it will jump in value once my demise comes.
That's all for now.
I need to get back to painting right after I finish this blog as the 7x5 piece awaits me. It is now 2/3 complete with pencil. The fun and actually, the hardest, part in all this is painting and inking it out. This is by far the biggest piece I have ever made in my entire life. I used to say I would never ever be able to make another one, but just yesterday, my son made the off-handed comment of doing another piece in the same size but only in blue. Hence, another challenge.
This one belongs to Ana and is priced not to sell. No fool will buy it for 600K, even though the effort to complete this masterpiece can only be done (I like to think) by me. It will serve as a barometer against which my other pieces are judged and valued. And, as a final piece of satisfaction - it will jump in value once my demise comes.
That's all for now.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Closer
Today marked a big step towards making a web 2.0 site for my art ever so closer. Even though there were some problems with the copy I personally wrote (I hate writing about myself), it felt like site's launching was but a few days, if not a week and change, away. Then, the fun begins when I start plugging it in the social networks.
Exciting stuff.
My web designer did a pretty good job in picking out the colors, the art, and site layout that would help keep me painting, hopefully for the rest of my life. Judging from the reactions I've gotten from the steady stream of pen and ink drawings, acrylic paintings, and watercolor pieces with mix media in Facebook, I should be able to claim my own niche in the art world in no time at all.
The satisfaction is doubled when you stop and think that just months ago, I was still toiling away for my brother in a employer-employee relationship that saw me dabble in blogs and do work in the seedy underworld of Adult sites. Maybe it was titillating at the beginning, but eventually that material inevitably turns old with the occasional curiousness on my part on watching and writing about that type of material. It came as no surprise that my brother closed shop and decided to cut bait because he was losing his pants to some guy in Canada who defrauded him of money and oversold the profitability of these sites with hundreds, if not thousands, of these sites proliferating in the web.
I suppose it's not time to pop the champagne cork just yet, as the fine details still need to be worked out, and some more copy and material added. I cannot deny my excitement and giddiness though, as neither one of my siblings can say they have a personal site of their own with the talent to back it up.
I can't wait.
Exciting stuff.
My web designer did a pretty good job in picking out the colors, the art, and site layout that would help keep me painting, hopefully for the rest of my life. Judging from the reactions I've gotten from the steady stream of pen and ink drawings, acrylic paintings, and watercolor pieces with mix media in Facebook, I should be able to claim my own niche in the art world in no time at all.
The satisfaction is doubled when you stop and think that just months ago, I was still toiling away for my brother in a employer-employee relationship that saw me dabble in blogs and do work in the seedy underworld of Adult sites. Maybe it was titillating at the beginning, but eventually that material inevitably turns old with the occasional curiousness on my part on watching and writing about that type of material. It came as no surprise that my brother closed shop and decided to cut bait because he was losing his pants to some guy in Canada who defrauded him of money and oversold the profitability of these sites with hundreds, if not thousands, of these sites proliferating in the web.
I suppose it's not time to pop the champagne cork just yet, as the fine details still need to be worked out, and some more copy and material added. I cannot deny my excitement and giddiness though, as neither one of my siblings can say they have a personal site of their own with the talent to back it up.
I can't wait.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Friday launch
Seems like Friday will be the day of reckoning - of sorts. My web designer is coming here to take pictures and work on the site some more, and hopefully, be able to launch soon. She may want it earlier because she gets paid sooner the faster it gets done.
Therefore, all the acrylics, the watercolors, the pen & inks, and what have you are finally to go. Minus the 7X5 piece gargantuan art I'm making right now, and all the semi-nudes that I'm planning to add as future art. Add in a few more tabs for transaction buttons, a paypal account, and visa + mastercard, and I should be ready.
Hopefully, the Art that follows the huge piece would be ready as well. I already have them 'done' in my mind, but the hard slog still lies ahead. This is what's frustrating. I can't peel off from the giant piece I'm doing and do the smaller pieces unless I finish the big piece first, which is both an asset as well as a liability. An asset because it makes you finish what you start, and a liability because it shows an inability to 'compartmentalize' and get multiple things done without being distracted by another.
Then, there is the matter of the coming projects of the Xavier Alumni Art Guild and Kids Basix. The latter perhaps leading to more full time work, in addition to the two or three commissioned work I have earned so far from the Facebook bombardment. My 'friends' list have bloated to an unfathomable 425 from a modest 170+ just mere weeks ago. tantamount to my doggedness to find new friends, I suppose, but I may as well eliminate the others - especially those that wouldn't give me the time of day if I ran into them in the middle of the street. It's time to pare down that list to real friends, art lovers, and people who actually follow my Art.
Sounds a bit narcissistic, but it is what it is.
Let the games begin.
www.theruddude.com
Therefore, all the acrylics, the watercolors, the pen & inks, and what have you are finally to go. Minus the 7X5 piece gargantuan art I'm making right now, and all the semi-nudes that I'm planning to add as future art. Add in a few more tabs for transaction buttons, a paypal account, and visa + mastercard, and I should be ready.
Hopefully, the Art that follows the huge piece would be ready as well. I already have them 'done' in my mind, but the hard slog still lies ahead. This is what's frustrating. I can't peel off from the giant piece I'm doing and do the smaller pieces unless I finish the big piece first, which is both an asset as well as a liability. An asset because it makes you finish what you start, and a liability because it shows an inability to 'compartmentalize' and get multiple things done without being distracted by another.
Then, there is the matter of the coming projects of the Xavier Alumni Art Guild and Kids Basix. The latter perhaps leading to more full time work, in addition to the two or three commissioned work I have earned so far from the Facebook bombardment. My 'friends' list have bloated to an unfathomable 425 from a modest 170+ just mere weeks ago. tantamount to my doggedness to find new friends, I suppose, but I may as well eliminate the others - especially those that wouldn't give me the time of day if I ran into them in the middle of the street. It's time to pare down that list to real friends, art lovers, and people who actually follow my Art.
Sounds a bit narcissistic, but it is what it is.
Let the games begin.
www.theruddude.com
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Coffee Table Book
My facebook art posts are beginning to show fruit. I've sold two paintings in 2 weeks, and yesterday, a cousin of mine has offered to create my first coffee table book replete with all my art, pictures and copy. It's an exciting time, but it also costs money. We will print no less than 30-50 copies and no more. I would give copies to close family, but I'll sell the rest.
However, another cousin of mine has offered to pick up the tab - quite a generous gesture considering that she has been demonized no less by my siblings. I have never had anything against her. In fact, if anything, I owe the world to them for supporting me here since I arrived back in 2007. They can say what they will about my cousin, but I rest my case here. She is a Godsend to me - nothing less than that.
Another cousin of mine asked to paint a piece for a blank space in their house - something I am only too willing to oblige, while another relative called to say that her mom and dad (my uncle and aunt) are interested in buying a piece for their new living room. I should have done this eons ago, but it is better late than never, and the benefits are just beginning to show.
The prospect of having a book with all my pen & ink, watercolor, and acrylic works is exciting. Many of the works are already sold, and I'm guessing that whoever bought them would only be too glad to see my work published because that means their works also get added value.
The time has come, and I believe this is my time.
However, another cousin of mine has offered to pick up the tab - quite a generous gesture considering that she has been demonized no less by my siblings. I have never had anything against her. In fact, if anything, I owe the world to them for supporting me here since I arrived back in 2007. They can say what they will about my cousin, but I rest my case here. She is a Godsend to me - nothing less than that.
Another cousin of mine asked to paint a piece for a blank space in their house - something I am only too willing to oblige, while another relative called to say that her mom and dad (my uncle and aunt) are interested in buying a piece for their new living room. I should have done this eons ago, but it is better late than never, and the benefits are just beginning to show.
The prospect of having a book with all my pen & ink, watercolor, and acrylic works is exciting. Many of the works are already sold, and I'm guessing that whoever bought them would only be too glad to see my work published because that means their works also get added value.
The time has come, and I believe this is my time.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Excitement
I met my web designer today and got a glimpse of what she has done so far for my site. So far, I like what I see and if the momentum is kept going and she gets all the images, and text or copy of all my work, I think we'll be set for launch in about 1-2 weeks.
Not a bad turnaround time if you consider we just started this about a week and a half ago. I never realized I had so much Artwork - something you only get to acknowledge once you get a folder full of all your pen and ink, watercolor, and acrylic pieces and you are contemplating which ones to put in the site and which ones should not, or should be placed at another time.
It is exciting to see the progress and the test balloons garner all the positive results in facebook alone. If it can generate 2 sales in 2 weeks time, and that is just facebook alone, think of what it can do once I pour the entire social media avalanche on the site itself. The prospects are good, the large 7X5 is coming along, and the XAG was established to help promote my art along with helping the site in the search engines by trading links.
The potential is great, and I can't be happier.
Not a bad turnaround time if you consider we just started this about a week and a half ago. I never realized I had so much Artwork - something you only get to acknowledge once you get a folder full of all your pen and ink, watercolor, and acrylic pieces and you are contemplating which ones to put in the site and which ones should not, or should be placed at another time.
It is exciting to see the progress and the test balloons garner all the positive results in facebook alone. If it can generate 2 sales in 2 weeks time, and that is just facebook alone, think of what it can do once I pour the entire social media avalanche on the site itself. The prospects are good, the large 7X5 is coming along, and the XAG was established to help promote my art along with helping the site in the search engines by trading links.
The potential is great, and I can't be happier.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
The Beat Goes On
Waking up knowing you have nothing to do that day except for painting is one of the most satisfying feelings one can ever have. Except, when you have chores, meetings, and places to go, you are sidetracked and you end up less productive.
I'm a third done with the pencil drawing of my 7X5 acrylic piece - pretty encouraging when you consider I have until April 29th to finish this all. However, there are 4-5 more pieces I need to finish under the same style and even if it already done 'in my mind', it is kind of daunting.
The artwork I sent abroad has reached US shores and I am glad. I could really use the finances right now, plus it meant a lot to the one receiving it. It is a mere 10K in price, but it's also 10K i didn't have, so everyone and everything is welcome right now. The more people buy my art, the more money comes in, the more I get to prove I can survive without my sibling's help.
I gotta take a break from all the mundane and insanity-inducing drawing so I will be out for a couple of hours - to drop off some cigarettes at a friend's house, and to take even more pictures of works I had already sold to other people.
That's it for the day. Later.
www.theruddude.com
I'm a third done with the pencil drawing of my 7X5 acrylic piece - pretty encouraging when you consider I have until April 29th to finish this all. However, there are 4-5 more pieces I need to finish under the same style and even if it already done 'in my mind', it is kind of daunting.
The artwork I sent abroad has reached US shores and I am glad. I could really use the finances right now, plus it meant a lot to the one receiving it. It is a mere 10K in price, but it's also 10K i didn't have, so everyone and everything is welcome right now. The more people buy my art, the more money comes in, the more I get to prove I can survive without my sibling's help.
I gotta take a break from all the mundane and insanity-inducing drawing so I will be out for a couple of hours - to drop off some cigarettes at a friend's house, and to take even more pictures of works I had already sold to other people.
That's it for the day. Later.
www.theruddude.com
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Art attack
Not much of activity planned for the day. Just delivering Art to a niece leaving tonight for the states, and even more painting at home. How simple is that? Sounds fantastically simple, but many things could go wrong in any given day and change everyday. Anyway, that's 2 pieces I've managed to sell in a span of less than a week. Great, except that those may be the only 2 pieces I sell the entire month. Still good if you consider that it's more than a month's worth of pay from the previous regime.
I need to buy more fixative, to preserve a lot of the art drawings that are painted in water color. Something you wouldn't have a problem with acrylic, or pen and ink. But such is my lot. Things get used up and run out. But I should be thankful for a simple day, and end it right there.
Whew!
I need to buy more fixative, to preserve a lot of the art drawings that are painted in water color. Something you wouldn't have a problem with acrylic, or pen and ink. But such is my lot. Things get used up and run out. But I should be thankful for a simple day, and end it right there.
Whew!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Full Speed Ahead
Ok. Now that Art Guild is up and growing, I managed to sell another pen & ink piece today to a very unlikely source: an ex-girlfriend. It may seem odd, and downright weird for many, but it's another piece I can dispose of in my inventory. What surprises me is that most people hated that piece, especially my wife, who thinks its akin to a high school work project.
The truth is, it was a piece I did in Sacramento, with a lazy day that time. My acrylics have barely moved since my last show with Simoun. In fact, none of them have been sold. So, I'm tossing the style out for April's show. It will be all old-Rudy. Or maybe old-Rudy with a "new" twist.
Still trying to find a model who can pose partially nude for me. I just want the shadows or silhouette, which I will fill in with the usual detail, and I think the results will be innovative - a nude painting from afar, but a picture of small houses, people, and vegetation when viewed closer. I also plan to make the Philippine-Spanish style an overriding theme since all my pieces of that mode are sold out. Makes sense, I think.
It's off to painting I go.
The truth is, it was a piece I did in Sacramento, with a lazy day that time. My acrylics have barely moved since my last show with Simoun. In fact, none of them have been sold. So, I'm tossing the style out for April's show. It will be all old-Rudy. Or maybe old-Rudy with a "new" twist.
Still trying to find a model who can pose partially nude for me. I just want the shadows or silhouette, which I will fill in with the usual detail, and I think the results will be innovative - a nude painting from afar, but a picture of small houses, people, and vegetation when viewed closer. I also plan to make the Philippine-Spanish style an overriding theme since all my pieces of that mode are sold out. Makes sense, I think.
It's off to painting I go.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Stoked
Did you ever wake up and get this feeing that the day is going to go your way?
This day must be it. I got reconnected to an old college friend, sold a painting, and have the satisfaction seeing the Art Guild I helped establish quickly get traction and snowball in members. It wasn't always this way, but the social media has helped me in more ways than when it all started back in 1999.
Granted, watercolor is always going to be like a favorite child to me because I'm so used to the medium so well. But acrylic is the way to go if you like your pieces to gain value. And it has started. Once I clear the hurdle of finishing this 7'X5' monstrosity with all the tedious pen & ink work, it will be the largest piece I will ever get to accomplish, and may be my last one in that size. I won't sell it, but, use it instead, as a showcase to many others who'd like a painting drawn in that style.
That style is none other than the tedious pen and ink detailed work people have begun to expect from me. It'll take time to finish, but the satisfaction from having it and making it your show head turner is such a exciting prospect that it is making me contemplate drawing even harder and longer. This is a moment in time that is far far different than where it was 10 years ago.
The internet is changing the market place in ways I thought was unthinkable just a few years ago. What is most enticing is the thought that I can stay home, paint with my creature comforts around me, and sell prints or originals to places far far away.
Once again, I need to cut this short as I need to paint.
This day must be it. I got reconnected to an old college friend, sold a painting, and have the satisfaction seeing the Art Guild I helped establish quickly get traction and snowball in members. It wasn't always this way, but the social media has helped me in more ways than when it all started back in 1999.
Granted, watercolor is always going to be like a favorite child to me because I'm so used to the medium so well. But acrylic is the way to go if you like your pieces to gain value. And it has started. Once I clear the hurdle of finishing this 7'X5' monstrosity with all the tedious pen & ink work, it will be the largest piece I will ever get to accomplish, and may be my last one in that size. I won't sell it, but, use it instead, as a showcase to many others who'd like a painting drawn in that style.
That style is none other than the tedious pen and ink detailed work people have begun to expect from me. It'll take time to finish, but the satisfaction from having it and making it your show head turner is such a exciting prospect that it is making me contemplate drawing even harder and longer. This is a moment in time that is far far different than where it was 10 years ago.
The internet is changing the market place in ways I thought was unthinkable just a few years ago. What is most enticing is the thought that I can stay home, paint with my creature comforts around me, and sell prints or originals to places far far away.
Once again, I need to cut this short as I need to paint.
Friday, January 21, 2011
More Ranting
Today finds me in a loquacious mood. It's a Saturday, a bit sunny, and generally cool weather. Work is still ongoing for the giant 7'X5' piece and it is (as I have said) tediously slow, though the rewards will very satisfying.
Working with Acrylic and Pen & ink is one of the most daunting challenges an artist faces. First, the surface is unlike that of watercolor paper - there is more resistance to the pen, and the paint itself is hard to blend with other colors. My watercolors tend to go from one color and fades into another one smoothly. You can't do that with Acrylics.
I recall the gargantuan piece I did for my wife years and years ago, and that was pretty easy because there was pretty much no theme. You could pretty much draw whatever you like. This current one now is all- Filipino, with colonial Spanish-style houses, horse drawn carriages and cobblestone roads. The challenge is to stick with the theme and architecture - A task fraught with pitfalls and potential mistakes.
More later. I have to paint.
Working with Acrylic and Pen & ink is one of the most daunting challenges an artist faces. First, the surface is unlike that of watercolor paper - there is more resistance to the pen, and the paint itself is hard to blend with other colors. My watercolors tend to go from one color and fades into another one smoothly. You can't do that with Acrylics.
I recall the gargantuan piece I did for my wife years and years ago, and that was pretty easy because there was pretty much no theme. You could pretty much draw whatever you like. This current one now is all- Filipino, with colonial Spanish-style houses, horse drawn carriages and cobblestone roads. The challenge is to stick with the theme and architecture - A task fraught with pitfalls and potential mistakes.
More later. I have to paint.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Ultimatum
Six acrylic pen and ink pieces in 3 months. You would think that is chicken feed if you churn out 1 piece a day, but that is not so, little grasshopper!
First, is a monstrous 7' X 5' piece which I have started and and is painted with my 'trademark' small and detailed style which, truth be told, takes about a week to complete 6" - so I have a lot of work ahead of me. It's also styled in the old Philippine-Spanish style houses (think Vigan, old Ilo-ilo) that is tedious and eye-straining. But that is also my strength.
The show is even more exciting considering I have four more pieces of smaller size to do to support the large piece. The Xavier Alumni Arts Guild is my birth child, so if this group gains fame, and receives funding, it would be a coup. We have even bigger plans for the guild, but we first learn how to walk before we run, so it's: 1)get the space in the Xavier website; 2)get the exhibit going; and 3)funding.
Sounds simple? On paper it is. But the logistics and the work needed is nightmarish. However, I have promised to be the driving force behind this endeavor, so it is my energy, along with the support of Seb, Bob and the others who will help get this thing attain wings and take flight.
More on the show later. I gotta go paint.
First, is a monstrous 7' X 5' piece which I have started and and is painted with my 'trademark' small and detailed style which, truth be told, takes about a week to complete 6" - so I have a lot of work ahead of me. It's also styled in the old Philippine-Spanish style houses (think Vigan, old Ilo-ilo) that is tedious and eye-straining. But that is also my strength.
The show is even more exciting considering I have four more pieces of smaller size to do to support the large piece. The Xavier Alumni Arts Guild is my birth child, so if this group gains fame, and receives funding, it would be a coup. We have even bigger plans for the guild, but we first learn how to walk before we run, so it's: 1)get the space in the Xavier website; 2)get the exhibit going; and 3)funding.
Sounds simple? On paper it is. But the logistics and the work needed is nightmarish. However, I have promised to be the driving force behind this endeavor, so it is my energy, along with the support of Seb, Bob and the others who will help get this thing attain wings and take flight.
More on the show later. I gotta go paint.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
A Short One
Given the chores in front of me today, I need to keep this entry short. 24 hours in day are not enough sometimes for me. Many people actually have that problem, but it's better to wear out than rust, so I suppose it's a good thing.
Preparations for my Art exhibit marches on. I still can't believe I actually managed to create an alumni art guild! Remarkable since I have never really created anything worthwhile in the 40+ years of my life. We have 11 members, but there's bound to be more, because there are many of us Artists just lurking around, afraid to come out until they find a common bond. For many of us, this is a welcome event.
We are Acrylic painters, watercolor, pen & ink, sculptors, even musicians. This is big. It'll help erase the notion that my alma mater produces only businessmen, and professionals. Art is going to be big, and it'll go a long way proving that the school is capable of producing talented and creative artists.
That's why this rant in short, or so I think.
Preparations for my Art exhibit marches on. I still can't believe I actually managed to create an alumni art guild! Remarkable since I have never really created anything worthwhile in the 40+ years of my life. We have 11 members, but there's bound to be more, because there are many of us Artists just lurking around, afraid to come out until they find a common bond. For many of us, this is a welcome event.
We are Acrylic painters, watercolor, pen & ink, sculptors, even musicians. This is big. It'll help erase the notion that my alma mater produces only businessmen, and professionals. Art is going to be big, and it'll go a long way proving that the school is capable of producing talented and creative artists.
That's why this rant in short, or so I think.
Birth Pains
OK. So this is the umpteenth time I've tried to start a blog. Blogging is actually therapy for me, because it relieves me of all the ills I've had over the day or so, and saying (or writing it) is just another form of channeling anger or joy into an outlet. It's like Valium in a way, without the body actually getting the drug.
The reason for all this is, of course, is the upcoming launch of my art website: theruddude.com. Notice that the "e" in rude is missing. Yeah, I missed out on securing what was once my domain name back in the days when yahoo had Geocities, and I could show my art for free.
Now, I've decided to go full throttle on this: I've hired Annah, a sweet, innocent looking, but smart programmer from one of the big name universities here, and I'm planning to hire a friend of hers to do some writing. Her friend's cute, writes well, and is conveniently graduating this coming March without a real plan to do anything as a career n the short term. I figure I can mold her into savvy web writer, which will help her career-wise, allow her to earn some bucks, and of course, help my site.
I'm going to blog about my art. And I plan to blog often. Boring is the last thing I want it to be, so if talking about Art snoozes people, I figure I better find another way to make people want to read this and read often.
After all, I'm down to the edge of the cliff, if you ask me - ever since one of my siblings closed our business (he really didn't), I've decided to run to my strengths: writing and painting. I formed my alma mater's first Alumni Art Guild, planned for a show in late April, and will religiously drawing from here on out. I hope his cutting of ties is a blessing in disguise, although I will be quick to say that he has treated out relationship like a business. It's not a complaint, just an observation. I will treat him the same way.
I have decided to stick to my style of painting, you know - detailed, something that would fill up a page, and is something very few people can do. Acrylics on their own is a challenge, and quite frankly, very uninspiring for me. The trick is to combine the pen and ink with acrylics. Now, that's dynamite.
My achilles heel here, of course, is the money needed to sustain me, which I hope to accomplish without asking for financial help form the same friends who have helped me immensely. It'll be tough, but if a cash advance is what it takes, so be it.
Let the painting (and writing) commence!
The reason for all this is, of course, is the upcoming launch of my art website: theruddude.com. Notice that the "e" in rude is missing. Yeah, I missed out on securing what was once my domain name back in the days when yahoo had Geocities, and I could show my art for free.
Now, I've decided to go full throttle on this: I've hired Annah, a sweet, innocent looking, but smart programmer from one of the big name universities here, and I'm planning to hire a friend of hers to do some writing. Her friend's cute, writes well, and is conveniently graduating this coming March without a real plan to do anything as a career n the short term. I figure I can mold her into savvy web writer, which will help her career-wise, allow her to earn some bucks, and of course, help my site.
I'm going to blog about my art. And I plan to blog often. Boring is the last thing I want it to be, so if talking about Art snoozes people, I figure I better find another way to make people want to read this and read often.
After all, I'm down to the edge of the cliff, if you ask me - ever since one of my siblings closed our business (he really didn't), I've decided to run to my strengths: writing and painting. I formed my alma mater's first Alumni Art Guild, planned for a show in late April, and will religiously drawing from here on out. I hope his cutting of ties is a blessing in disguise, although I will be quick to say that he has treated out relationship like a business. It's not a complaint, just an observation. I will treat him the same way.
I have decided to stick to my style of painting, you know - detailed, something that would fill up a page, and is something very few people can do. Acrylics on their own is a challenge, and quite frankly, very uninspiring for me. The trick is to combine the pen and ink with acrylics. Now, that's dynamite.
My achilles heel here, of course, is the money needed to sustain me, which I hope to accomplish without asking for financial help form the same friends who have helped me immensely. It'll be tough, but if a cash advance is what it takes, so be it.
Let the painting (and writing) commence!
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