EXCITING IMAGES AND MORE CHALLENGING IDEAS

The recent news about the victory of a Filipino boxer has dominated the headlines and has probably grabbed the attention of the world.

I am not a fan of boxing anymore because I hated violence ever since I came to a point of realization. But this image above represents the inner conflict in man as he struggles against himself on the issue regarding which path in life he has to choose.

What is disturbing is when our country's leaders see that the victory of a Filipino in the world of boxing becomes " a welcome salve to a nation suffering from high prices of oil and food, the devastation from a recent typhoon, and the tragedy of another vessel sinking."

But the question is, what does this somewhat modern day gladiatorial combat do to the psyche of the young Filipino in the midst of reality that gun violence in the Philippines becomes a human security concern?

What message will our society's role model convey to the young while the evil culture of violence is still a serious but dormant problem?

Indeed there are a lot of threats to our young kids nowadays starting from the separation of parents as a result of broken marriages, the destruction of the kids' spiritual and moral values because of this disunity of parents, the resultant effects of being forced to join bad company because of the lack of a comfort zone called real strong family and more and more negative results that awaits a young child.

Kindly read Misleading Heroes and Dangerous Toys.

Tracing one's own shadow is a challenging task...



You have to be very accurate and precise in order to do the perfect form.



"BAWAL ANG UMIHI DITO" ("DON'T PISS HERE") is one familiar sign in public areas reminding people of discipline, decency,morality and order.

My brother Nelson arrived with my 82 year-old Mom to attend our first art group show in Hong Kong titled "IT RUNS IN THE BLOOD: THE FERRARIS ARTISTS GROUP SHOW" Here he is measuring the gallery floor area in preparation for the exhibition where he will be the curator.

MORE GUESTS...THE PAINTING CONTINUES

All photos in this entry, except the last one, were taken by my 2 guests using my own camera.

Last Tuesday, June 24, was the closing party for this mural project. Well, that's meant for the PhilArtsFestHK calendar only but still my work continues until such time that I will be satisfied with the whole painting. The mural is available for public viewing in the gallery until July 2 anyway.

Today two of my friends arrived at the gallery. Here, posing in a Kung Fu-like stance, is professional photographer Victor Bautista. He was responsible for taking my photos for the cover of Review Asia and the photos of Artist Elizabeth Briel for the same magazine.

Review Asia is a new and classy magazine.

With Victor was Butch Durias, the president of the UP Alumni Association Hong Kong chapter. He is also a photographer and plays organ very well at the Rosary Church. He and Victor are members of the Pinoy Photographers Club. Their recent exhibition was Ex-Press at the Philippine Consulate, Hong Kong.



Butch posing as The Thinker standing. (Where will I eat my dinner? When will he finish this mural?)




The work goes on for me...



...and I just pause to talk to guests or have my snacks.

As you look at the mural you will see that it is very complicated and requires a lot of meticulous job. This is the signature of my art through all these years. Try and visit the links at the bottom of the column on the right and you will see my previous works done with lots of details. But it pales in comparison to the works of my brothers sometimes.

The story written by Ms. Smiley Julve about this project is now published in The Sun. I will write the full and in-depth explanation and meaning about this mural shortly.



Wow! That's my lovely wife Sally. We're enjoying the delicious Kebab, our dinner after a day's painting job. It feels good to truly love and be loved by the mother of your kids. This strong relationship resting on very strong Christian spirituality lays the right foundation for our kids.

CLOSING PARTY PHOTOS

The closing party, the date of which was squeezed into the calendar of this year’s PhilArtsFestHK, was meant to gather friends and art enthusiasts to the gallery once again for them to see the outcome of the mural after it was started last June 3. The four blank canvas panels are now full of elements, images in line drawing-like patterns of various things and people.

Despite the sudden news that Typhoon Signal #1 was hoisted here in Hong Kong, which was expected to be raised to #8, still friends who are serious about supporting the art of Hong Kong-based Filipino artists arrived at the gallery.

It is sad sometimes to see the same faces in our exhibitions all these years and this observation was even shared by a Hong Kong-based foreigner who is supporting Philippine art all these years. I just hope that the so-called "curse" does not affect the small community of Filipinos here in this place which is much closer to home.

Despite the all-out publicity now and the growing popular knowledge that there exists a festival of arts and culture of Filipinos here in this world city we still have to see people going in droves to art galleries showcasing the works of Filipino artists the way the public is interested with the Hong Kong Art Fair.

What comes to mind is the relevance of art done by Filipinos in particular or the relevance of art in general in the lives of people more preoccupied with surviving while the prices of commodities are rising.

To me, if art only serves to satisfy the investment aspect rather than convey a strong message to at least uplift people's souls or even lead artists to have a more positive outlook in life or a clean life then these art pieces will just remain as mere commodities adding to the pile of rubbish that add to a depressing personal life once the interest on them fades away completely.

Artist Noel de Guzman, whose new works are part of the ongoing group exhibition at the Floren Gallery, is one of the most prolific Hong Kong-based Filipino artists. His forthcoming solo exhibition titled Cyclic Circles will open on Thursday, June 26, 2008 at the Karen Weber Gallery here in Hong Kong.

Ms. Tessie from Archangel Gallery

Is collecting and investing in Philippine art really relevant and an enviable opportunity? What is Philippine art? Are those art done by Filipinos elsewhere considered Philippine art?

My concern is not necessarily confined to all topics or things Filipino but that which are common to all peoples of this world. Divorce, separation, apostasy and all those negative things affecting a person are serious matters of concern and art could play an important role to help people become enlightened. But if I myself is lost morally and spiritually what good is my art if my concern is only fame and money?

And what happens to an artist whose life remains miserable after the glare of spotlights focused on him and his art fades after each and every media-hyped exhibition?

What's this mysterious image in the mural all about? If you want to know about it plus some more surprises about this new art piece just come and visit SARA SENE GALLERY.

TINY STUDIO+ : DAY 11

The mural after DAY 11.

At this point the main elements that I intended to include in the mural are already there but it will take several days more to do the necessary refinements until I achieve the perfect effect that I have in mind.

It's a tricky job to document the progress of this mural simply because I am not a professional photographer. But today I discovered a way to get rid of the strong effects of those overhead directional lights on each mural panel. I switched them all off, including the fluorescent lights inside the gallery, and instead used the floodlight to achieve a more even distribution of light on the mural before taking pictures.

I could only work for several hours on this project each day because my eyes are getting tired looking at it. Although it is very hard to do this painting there is a compelling reason why I am still doing it. Let's wait for the issue of The Sun to come out first this weekend before I upload my whole explanation regarding the meaning of this new art piece.

Can you guess what technique am I using to be able to achieve the purpose of painting that hidden image in this mural? At this stage it is not yet very clear in the photo.

TINY STUDIO+ : DAY 10

The mural after DAY 10

This is the stage wherein all the colors and shapes combined are adjusted in relation to the whole composition to achieve the desired image.

It is a painstaking job to adjust them all little by little and part by part.

A NEW MODEL

I felt happy to have new visitors very late tonight at the gallery. The sweet couple Roy and Elizabeth came and here's Roy artistically posing for the sketch.

Many thanks to Elizabeth, an artist and my colleague at the Hong Kong Mural Society. She's the one who introduced me the idea about blogging.



There's a mysterious form gradually appearing as I continue painting on this mural.

The closing party of TINY STUDIO+ will be on Tuesday, June 24 at 6 pm - 9 pm. The mural will be available for viewing at the SARA SENE Gallery until July 2, 2008.

MORE PHOTOS

Chop sticks? Paint brushes!



Sara, me and Mr. Waswani



Me, Gabby and Sara

TINY STUDIO+ : DAY 9

The mural after DAY 9



My Indian friend Lekha. She admires Philippine art and it's elating to hear about it.

My athletic friend Edward. He is a good role model and inspiration to young kids and teenagers because of his sports, his art and his spirituality.

This world is full of problems and sad stories of people young and old, rich or poor. While some preachers focus on money as the object of prayers and the remedy to help the poor, it is very much of greater value and importance to focus first on how to love our Almighty God the Father first more than anything else and above all.

To follow the First Commandment first is to win the love of our Almighty God the Father for us. If we have this, then we will be able to help and love others correctly instead of being a burden to them.

Are you familiar with the 2nd Commandment? Are these spiritual topics relevant to my mural and to the Philippine Arts Festival? It is!

TINY STUDIO+ : DAY 8

The mural after DAY 8



Me sketching Artist Paul Gustilo

A BUSY WEEK AND, A PAINTING AUCTIONED.

Me and fellow artist Paul Gustilo (also from Iloilo, my province). No! We are not martial artists (I hate violence now). We are visual artists.

It's the Philippine Association of Hong Kong ball (more photos here by Butch Durias). What a change of environment! That's my lovely wife at the center.

Hong Kong Barrister Ms. Ody Lai officiating the auction of my painting GLITZ AND GLAMOR.at the PAHK Ball at Conrad Hotel, Hong Kong.

GLITZ AND GLAMOR is the second painting I did for this association of Filipino professionals in Hong Kong. The first was THE CHANGING TIMES.

An excellent performance by Ms. Bituin Escalante

What a privilege to be seated at the head table! I did not expect this to happen. Many thanks to our Almighty God the Father for this. It is inevitable for artists to socialize sometimes...but I prefer a simpler life.

Me and my wife with the Philippine Mt. Everest team.

Weeks and days before June 12 and after is usually busy when all the celebrations here and there to commemorate the Philippine independence drive people crazily excited and preoccupied. I'm glad to meet again Mrs. Milabel Amar of Amnesty International.

We had the Philippine Consulate Ball at the JW Marriott Hotel Here I am with Consul General Vicente, the Vice Consul for Cultural Affairs and some friends

TINY STUDIO+ : DAY 7

The mural after DAY 7

.Today I was interviewed by Ms. Smiley Julve of The Sun regarding the real meaning behind this piece of art. So as not to preempt the article in the next issue of this paper, I will upload what I have written about the story behind this mural at a later date.

I have very interesting ideas behind why I did this plus other stories gradually unfolding as I continue to work on this piece every time I visit this gallery.

As for you readers, there is suspense involved while waiting for the final look of the mural but as the artist I have already finalized it in my mind however sketchy and abstract it may still seem to be.

Btw, Smiley also posed in front of the mural as I sketched her shadow.

JUNE 12 NEW PHOTOS

Ms. Clare Morin of TIMEOUT MAGAZINE

It was a busy day this June 12. We were interviewed on RTHK Radio 3 at 12 noon and now with TIMEOUT Magazine at 6 p.m. At 6:30 is the ball at Marriot Hotel for the 110th Philippine Independence Day celebration.

Generally, this is a good year for Filipino artists as blessings keep on pouring-in.

TINY STUDIO+ : DAY 6

The mural after DAY 6.

Everyday...patiently...I try to add more and more elements on the canvas. This progression reminds me of how life gets more complicated as the person continues to be ambitious. The more wealth one has the more things one accumulates and the more one tends to become insecure especially on how to safeguard this wealth.

A call from a gallery visitor.



Bro. Robert Reyes and Meneaka. I did a previous project with the running priest as an advocacy against fraternity violence.



Another figure added to the mural.

Art is only a tool by the Almighty God the Father through the artist to spiritually enlighten people but not to serve as a means to practice idolatry and leave people to remain to live in spiritual ignorance. There are a lot of interpretations about a piece of art and it is the artist who knows its real meaning according to how he conceptualized it. Therefore, in the practice of Christianity, the real and in-depth knowledge of the Holy Bible, with the help of the Holy Spirit, directs the believer to the right path. This is in stark contrast to people simply kneeling in front of images made by artists and craftsmen yet are spiritually ignorant themselves about what really pleases the Almighty God the Father.

Real Christian spiritual enlightenment based on the Holy Bible and guided by the Holy Spirit enables and emboldens a person to face the real world that is full of confusion, full of problems and obstacles as confusing as what this mural tries to depict.

Lan Kwai Fong at night right after I finish one painting session.



This marker here in Hong Kong honoring Dr. Jose Rizal comes to mind each and every June when the Filipino community celebrates its independence.

But what is real freedom?

Kindly visit http://spiritualjourney14.blogspot.com/