tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80437572080502015162024-03-15T20:09:15.816-05:00Passport to Creativitypassporttocreativity.blogspot.com
by jojo sabalvaro tanjojo sabalvaro tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823593650174785959noreply@blogger.comBlogger177125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043757208050201516.post-13066431543283709302022-11-01T22:42:00.009-05:002022-11-02T14:35:13.635-05:002022 Christmas Card - Madonna and Child with pomegranate<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgix3nk-zj0F6gnUiZV5pxquUA2_5CeWgs15C6490ylXYQZuI3A-LTh-G-U7zXX2J9qho0FSDSw3Ke0xMHb6ww8ha9S4M_OSCGQxPR_Q_u52TfDq2tNhseAIGckrAu_BybNx1Tkb7crcnxR2JsRkXuEspWd5keDwt5AF71fceezgF3CobgnExNMth73QQ/s2469/xmas%20card%202022%204.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2469" data-original-width="1509" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgix3nk-zj0F6gnUiZV5pxquUA2_5CeWgs15C6490ylXYQZuI3A-LTh-G-U7zXX2J9qho0FSDSw3Ke0xMHb6ww8ha9S4M_OSCGQxPR_Q_u52TfDq2tNhseAIGckrAu_BybNx1Tkb7crcnxR2JsRkXuEspWd5keDwt5AF71fceezgF3CobgnExNMth73QQ/w245-h400/xmas%20card%202022%204.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Christmas Card 2022<br />Madonna and Child with Pomegranate</b><br />by jojo sabalvaro tan<br />Acrylic on 140# watercolor paper<br />5"x7"</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For our
2022 Christmas Card this year, I painted a traditional Madonna and Child image using
a more gown non-traditional palette. <span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #211e22; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">This year’s Christmas card image was
inspired by a fresco that I found online. Unfortunately, I could not find it
again so I can reference and credit it properly. </span>M</span>y painting, features Mary in an orange shawl
(wrap) over a maroon and a white lace veil. She is handing the Baby Jesus a
pomegranate, a fruit that symbolizes fertility, vitality and power in many
cultures. It is believed by some that the fruit that was used to tempt Adam and
Eve was a pomegranate not an apple. In Israel, the pomegranate is a beloved
fruit since the crown resembles the Star of David. The grenade takes its name
from this fruit since the early European bombs resemble the fruit. In science,
pomegranates are one of the healthiest fruits as it is rich in minerals, fiber,
vitamins and nutrients. It is also used as a staple ingredient in many
traditional medicines.<span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #211e22; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The pomegranate is considered emblematic of Jesus Christ as extrapolated in the article:</span></p><h1 style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://beforeitsnews.com/christian-news/2020/12/the-liturgical-symbolism-of-the-pomegranate-as-an-emblem-of-christ-2591283.html"><i>The Liturgical Symbolism of the Pomegranate, as an Emblem of Christ</i></a></span></h1><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Please press title for link.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZyPeEppy9rHfyNTYQnYXd81imaj3tEqXrEZicuiYmKxguKiW0k9FxyLT3t7mXtATm0h9wTY8kQCVd5QgLIONzwXH6eXG4mOmYoEoU_fDuy26j3KREKE51hnfBmMb9HrvvavDU7GxF_LiPRThj-I5MGEnFLR8GalJkJpt5jc-t-owbP_Ge7JxyLubPag/s445/Pomegranate+Composition+II+by+Naomi+Mccavitt+-+Wrapped+Canvas+Painting.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZyPeEppy9rHfyNTYQnYXd81imaj3tEqXrEZicuiYmKxguKiW0k9FxyLT3t7mXtATm0h9wTY8kQCVd5QgLIONzwXH6eXG4mOmYoEoU_fDuy26j3KREKE51hnfBmMb9HrvvavDU7GxF_LiPRThj-I5MGEnFLR8GalJkJpt5jc-t-owbP_Ge7JxyLubPag/s320/Pomegranate+Composition+II+by+Naomi+Mccavitt+-+Wrapped+Canvas+Painting.webp" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pomegranate Composition II by Naomi McCavitt</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div>This painting was done in acrylics and gold paint on watercolor paper in the style of traditional icons.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Some of the Stages of the painting this year's card</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHLBg8WcemgioiU6e_CZMcN4k4IJDJLjnYzJFKqNI73gpZmW6CDOcd3nXigRzBGFHMTylZ5K8x2RS3Ecv1QmMNh_e6OcnIO5K54H8Yl2Ex6-w5ajdzPBMJM--mn2mxFIvix_Zht6y6QzRw826vcikq3v-x8Hejsm82OR50LWHCorT4CWCfYL4FUVj1w/s2215/Xmas%20card%202022%201%20(2).jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2215" data-original-width="1582" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHLBg8WcemgioiU6e_CZMcN4k4IJDJLjnYzJFKqNI73gpZmW6CDOcd3nXigRzBGFHMTylZ5K8x2RS3Ecv1QmMNh_e6OcnIO5K54H8Yl2Ex6-w5ajdzPBMJM--mn2mxFIvix_Zht6y6QzRw826vcikq3v-x8Hejsm82OR50LWHCorT4CWCfYL4FUVj1w/s320/Xmas%20card%202022%201%20(2).jpg" width="229" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Sketch, gold-leaf application and start of base coating</span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_j-tCYxYOhPWeLDszi0jiCP8o9c6ccKhlMuTo4MMjx1gLA0HfBfmBxlmiAUhJp_eNqHWPsGjrNgL94P36FwWimAzkm8Afspo1Odaeyvrh41KErCu1qrjzqM-g-OlX5KUdY0-n-FD-F-lHthcBkSLdOgomtDXUidSjVke-gsCn3POracY8S0W5MpIeiw/s2224/xmas%20card%202022%202%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2224" data-original-width="1588" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_j-tCYxYOhPWeLDszi0jiCP8o9c6ccKhlMuTo4MMjx1gLA0HfBfmBxlmiAUhJp_eNqHWPsGjrNgL94P36FwWimAzkm8Afspo1Odaeyvrh41KErCu1qrjzqM-g-OlX5KUdY0-n-FD-F-lHthcBkSLdOgomtDXUidSjVke-gsCn3POracY8S0W5MpIeiw/s320/xmas%20card%202022%202%20(3).jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Base coating and some shading and highlights<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As in previous years, I had a souvenir mug and tote bag made of our Christmas card. I intend to give them as gifts.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzI9niZEMyx_2uFEr4531K3t4nlxQP54fhs4lEEnhqNln0VQj48hMumN59rqrvk-BBouO8ZDoDXVk2dLACGCszQYGnMbFUTEWdSuC93ZhqtfdrK00KyEya47WR_xDeRDAInDSzYeidudn1nUOngmOh9tznb2HWvKbV7aaKKZqjewEtkjEJjTwcGelYtA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzI9niZEMyx_2uFEr4531K3t4nlxQP54fhs4lEEnhqNln0VQj48hMumN59rqrvk-BBouO8ZDoDXVk2dLACGCszQYGnMbFUTEWdSuC93ZhqtfdrK00KyEya47WR_xDeRDAInDSzYeidudn1nUOngmOh9tznb2HWvKbV7aaKKZqjewEtkjEJjTwcGelYtA" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Canvas Tote Bag</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhV6UB3FVCGq4EvktbK4Q0YA2vGZ1U4hM_yTPjVIvPzDuSctuuRjKtg3Ozba2NUquxHer2eaj7DM71wYHT2dNkFojTQjQRNWQr-_ZGEpC2Ui4qtpxEWC_ylvZK7XeBSzDBDVgHC4XwNFcWo5spGjuPfrJrAunN1YUp_AzB5wBToKXPoiiJzd_sDPfk--Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="134" data-original-width="200" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhV6UB3FVCGq4EvktbK4Q0YA2vGZ1U4hM_yTPjVIvPzDuSctuuRjKtg3Ozba2NUquxHer2eaj7DM71wYHT2dNkFojTQjQRNWQr-_ZGEpC2Ui4qtpxEWC_ylvZK7XeBSzDBDVgHC4XwNFcWo5spGjuPfrJrAunN1YUp_AzB5wBToKXPoiiJzd_sDPfk--Q=w200-h134" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ceramic Mug</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>BONUS:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span>This is the only other painting I was able to do for a choice for our 2022 Christmas Card. Usually, I start early </span>which<span> enables me to paint several to choose from. Unfortunately, I was unable to do so since other priorities cropped up (home projects, visiting family and friends, medical stuff, etc.). This Madonna and Child is of a more contemporary style and feel. It is </span>entitled, '<i>Sleep in Heavenly Peace</i><span>.'</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1bdail-kmxkjEOyswF4TXoqjtv8xjPmWbDgwOFes0H-YRhvzuVIG32oVO2KQeaWcDCqJk0Gci1UayCsybamr8Mw85DjAOa9N-9cwwa18f008vs05mIDiy2q8j03iOCkviAok-uiQnH4befzdvOasOCadgx8vUErXoDNjWaj-Wg7etdwi7fLA1ZwNVw/s1772/sleep%20in%20heavenly%20peace.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1215" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1bdail-kmxkjEOyswF4TXoqjtv8xjPmWbDgwOFes0H-YRhvzuVIG32oVO2KQeaWcDCqJk0Gci1UayCsybamr8Mw85DjAOa9N-9cwwa18f008vs05mIDiy2q8j03iOCkviAok-uiQnH4befzdvOasOCadgx8vUErXoDNjWaj-Wg7etdwi7fLA1ZwNVw/s320/sleep%20in%20heavenly%20peace.jpg" width="219" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Madonna and Child 2022</b><br /><b>Sleep in Heavenly Peace</b><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by jojo sabalvaro tan<br />Watercolor on 140# watercolor paper<br />5"x7"</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><span>Wishing everyone a Blessed Christmas season and New Year!</span></b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><span>Love You All!!</span></b></i></div></span></div>jojo sabalvaro tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823593650174785959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043757208050201516.post-91589745709732065142022-08-14T14:55:00.003-05:002022-08-15T08:34:57.714-05:00More Clay Retablos<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBG17PU4oeiWuT7sBEQLIjNJHhZkgpzNsPYSSRDpvKNUmxGlOiaasUQhd-N4HvtHtUgHWCoxGU_vrvKX1OwThnxQLs8TQS5MRcXZ-gJASn5Y9gNaL-JTA9syZMZE2yttlhFPy6pyyv2yoP5XNHGvxbkskMfv3Eqp51kqa2uR2Vi4NZa2TZi2KSu7bzgA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1267" data-original-width="1511" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBG17PU4oeiWuT7sBEQLIjNJHhZkgpzNsPYSSRDpvKNUmxGlOiaasUQhd-N4HvtHtUgHWCoxGU_vrvKX1OwThnxQLs8TQS5MRcXZ-gJASn5Y9gNaL-JTA9syZMZE2yttlhFPy6pyyv2yoP5XNHGvxbkskMfv3Eqp51kqa2uR2Vi4NZa2TZi2KSu7bzgA=w400-h336" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>A Collection of Retablos</b><br />by jojo sabalvaro tan<br />Bas-relief clay sculpture painted in acrylics<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">I found that I really love working with clay and creating these folk-art retablos of popular the Virgin Mary, Jesus and patron saints. Above are a collection of some of the ones I had done last year. I had featured a couple in earlier blogs. Retablos are used for devotional purposes and are usually handcrafted and small. Most are made with wood. As a folk art, they are strongly influenced by Catholic iconography. These are placed on altars or tables, hang on walls or carried around for votive prayers, religious observation and devotional (<i>ex votos</i>). They do bring me joy while working on them and even now as I look at them lined up on my table. It also makes me happy to give them to someone who appreciates them both for use as a devotional as well as for artsake. </span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: inherit;"> </span></div></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJH0rEdRAvEo2QSNSxlGgLW_ER52zgaqWIAEb0Dv6Q2MP8ccaoNuIHDTCmQaZRSs3KesYa4CTrUHtPrOjC1R1o_rZQ6x0EM0t1x9OZCx5w6q_EcT6gmmkbsEEAzqc2DFn_Rn8y9zc035Wp2d8yKt3HCcUuAaXyWw7vwsad60reNgVge8vsko5KD7Hhxw/s2016/retablo%20Mater%20dei.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJH0rEdRAvEo2QSNSxlGgLW_ER52zgaqWIAEb0Dv6Q2MP8ccaoNuIHDTCmQaZRSs3KesYa4CTrUHtPrOjC1R1o_rZQ6x0EM0t1x9OZCx5w6q_EcT6gmmkbsEEAzqc2DFn_Rn8y9zc035Wp2d8yKt3HCcUuAaXyWw7vwsad60reNgVge8vsko5KD7Hhxw/s320/retablo%20Mater%20dei.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ave Maria 2022<br />by jojo sabalvaro tan<br />Bas-relief clay sculpture painted in acrylics<br />approx 11"x 4.5"<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">This Ave Maria piece depicts the Virgin Mary enthroned with Jesus seated on her lap. It is a popular theme when depicting Mother Mary in sacred Catholic and Orthodox iconography from the medieval times to present.<br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisGEJKGwE_mOXqUahm7_JUVvMzXLlhEWyjOByi0HKl60od1PHLp2Ku9mNSiQV2QkuNRdmexPBAYxtKCF-9JYi3IL-S4lrpJptxCpkX5ZGXxusuZNDkQU_IHPwIK46kcPkSDxCW1r8MHIk--8oGcQMnAUSBViuBM5DhSfYrdz-jYeU8q6d4yHS2TBNE4w" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisGEJKGwE_mOXqUahm7_JUVvMzXLlhEWyjOByi0HKl60od1PHLp2Ku9mNSiQV2QkuNRdmexPBAYxtKCF-9JYi3IL-S4lrpJptxCpkX5ZGXxusuZNDkQU_IHPwIK46kcPkSDxCW1r8MHIk--8oGcQMnAUSBViuBM5DhSfYrdz-jYeU8q6d4yHS2TBNE4w=w240-h320" width="240" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nuestra Senora de los Desamperados 2022<br />by jojo sabalvaro tan<br />Bas-relief clay sculpture painted in acrylics<br />approx 7" x 4"<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Nuestra Senora de los Desamparados (also venerated as Our Lady of the Forsaken or Our Lady of the Abandoned) is a Patroness of Seville, Spain as well as many other towns all over the world including Santa Ana, a town that is part of the Metro Manila area in the Philippines. She is depicted carrying Baby Jesus who bears a cross. She also leans forward which earned her the nickname of 'hunchback). The statue is often dressed in the best materials, embroidery and beading. <br /></span><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Philippine image of Our Lady of the Abandoned was brought by missionaries in 1717, aboard one of the galleon ships. It makes the image one of the oldest venerated saints in the Philippines. She has a collection of dresses which she is changed into to mark special Feasts Days. They are housed in the Camarin (her dressing room) inside the church.</span><div><span face="sans-serif" style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><h3 style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRrRVUdE4abSS_VCdjHGFvXl3ADkgLJIXolwuks6xapCsfxtghG2uBmGhS-UQKMps6bKQTlcTxLRah7OjZqefATW8KobGHiWP6z8hHT9_9crvonrcHgRuORQ21EPi8c6y0Nr1HrONSQ2hu7kKiZ_B7BaCeMVoa5mXr2bvgKyR2dEoYvitQvkdpjZcqZw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRrRVUdE4abSS_VCdjHGFvXl3ADkgLJIXolwuks6xapCsfxtghG2uBmGhS-UQKMps6bKQTlcTxLRah7OjZqefATW8KobGHiWP6z8hHT9_9crvonrcHgRuORQ21EPi8c6y0Nr1HrONSQ2hu7kKiZ_B7BaCeMVoa5mXr2bvgKyR2dEoYvitQvkdpjZcqZw=w240-h320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Infant Jesus of Prague</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">by jojo sabalvaro-tan</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">Bas-relief on clay, painted in acrylics</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">approx 3.5" x 6.5"</span></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><p style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">The first time we visited Prague, Czech Republic, we missed going to the Discalced Carmelite Church of Our Lady of Victories church where the original statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague is located. So, when we got a chance to visit Prague again years later, we made sure that we did not miss the Infant Jesus. Just like Nuestra Senora de los Desamparados, the Infant Jesus of Prague goes through a number of changes of garments during the year, <span style="background-color: transparent;">many are gifts from all over the world. </span>A large number of the costumes are on rotational display in a room behind the altar, </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #202122; margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">The Infant Jesus image is replicated all over the world. In the Philippines, the Santo Nino de Cebu is the oldest Christian artifact, having been brought over by Spanish explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, in the early 1500s. In most Catholic-Filipino household anywhere in the world, you will find a statue or icon of the Santo Nino displayed prominently.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #202122; margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="sans-serif" style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="sans-serif" style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="sans-serif" style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4gyas_X0vv4GKfbxD1ceApZyIDqF8WaUigfVPm9_78Rsvl90Kt9Xe9XGHTTMfYVN3AuvNCbm72Jaasfzozks2qAPQ7QA54qifjX2YvLe4SnBthLtaJJHs4ywlx88Xa5WcOX7FtDI9asNLsO_c-kzM81qceyrJQjYbqRQAXOKHn0dkPrp_Vt7IXfU5w/s2015/retablo%20st%20francis.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4gyas_X0vv4GKfbxD1ceApZyIDqF8WaUigfVPm9_78Rsvl90Kt9Xe9XGHTTMfYVN3AuvNCbm72Jaasfzozks2qAPQ7QA54qifjX2YvLe4SnBthLtaJJHs4ywlx88Xa5WcOX7FtDI9asNLsO_c-kzM81qceyrJQjYbqRQAXOKHn0dkPrp_Vt7IXfU5w/w196-h400/retablo%20st%20francis.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Saint Francis of Assisi</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">by jojo sabalvaro-tan</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">Bas-relief on clay, painted in acrylics</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">approx 8" x 2.75"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span face="sans-serif" style="color: #202122;"><span><br /></span></span></div><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">St. Francis of Assisi is one of the most popular patron saints of Catholics. He is admired for his humility, generosity and unwavering love of God. My husband and I had visited Assisi during one of our tours of Italy. We fell in love with the Basilica where St. Francis' crypt is located, <span style="text-align: center;">so much so that we wanted to renew our wedding bows there for 50th wedding anniversary</span>. The frescoes are a must-see for those who are passionate admirers of Italian Renaissance art. Art of famous Italian artists of the time are featured such as Cimabue, Simone Martini and of course, Giotto of whose priceless frescoes dominate the walls of the Upper Church.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For those interested in the history of St. Francis, I have provided a link to his biography <a href="https://www.biography.com/religious-figure/saint-francis-of-assisi">here</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">I share this prayer by Saint Francis of Assisi was very relevant during his time and is still as important today:</span></h3></div></div><div><p style="background-color: white;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace </span></i></div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">Where there is hatred, let me sow love</div><div style="text-align: center;">Where there is injury, pardon </div><div style="text-align: center;">Where there is doubt, faith </div><div style="text-align: center;">Where there is despair, hope</div><div style="text-align: center;">Where there is darkness, light</div><div style="text-align: center;">And where there is sadness, joy. </div></span></i><p></p><p style="background-color: white;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">O Divine Master,</span></i></div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">Grant that I may not so much seek</div><div style="text-align: center;">To be consoled as to console </div><div style="text-align: center;">To be understood, as to understand</div><div style="text-align: center;">To be loved, as to love </div><div style="text-align: center;">For it is in giving that we receive</div><div style="text-align: center;">It is in pardoning that we are pardoned </div><div style="text-align: center;">And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Amen.</div></span></i><p></p></div>jojo sabalvaro tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823593650174785959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043757208050201516.post-41210049350462262022-05-06T15:30:00.001-05:002022-05-06T17:07:35.666-05:00Mandylion Icon<p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOoDGx5U_PhmxzHE6KMWJZJU0mOqwrHsP0Cm9c1IETeOv9B5Cww8tbE3RryfU-DJMTY3VUZ9ZgvkFrnLT2KwLEUFj2xUxKICXGrM2dqLvi4Dc8FKtYGGUvYq9BhQKusx-c6g1fRRZM8uHXOE3yyVNgv3g4aBflYyL_IF6AJdC-TWIzKgfEYCirlLXTtg/s2628/mandylion%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2628" data-original-width="2628" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOoDGx5U_PhmxzHE6KMWJZJU0mOqwrHsP0Cm9c1IETeOv9B5Cww8tbE3RryfU-DJMTY3VUZ9ZgvkFrnLT2KwLEUFj2xUxKICXGrM2dqLvi4Dc8FKtYGGUvYq9BhQKusx-c6g1fRRZM8uHXOE3yyVNgv3g4aBflYyL_IF6AJdC-TWIzKgfEYCirlLXTtg/s320/mandylion%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mandylion (The Holy Face of Jesus) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">written by jojo sabalvaro tan</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">in the year 2022</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Acrylic, gold leaf on 8"x8" gessoed wood cradled board</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I have subjects lined up for writing my next icon, but this Mandylion was somehow calling me. This icon of Jesus' face is a very popular icon to write, especially in the Orthodox church. This icon is inspired by a legend in the Eastern Orthodox Church about a piece of cloth believed to be imprinted with the miraculous face of Jesus Christ. Called the Holy Face of Edessa, it is considered an image 'Not Made by Human Hands', much like the image of Jesus Christ's face impressed on the headcloth of Veronica of on His way to be crucified and the shroud of Turin. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98krTNBBu5Ty_vS3AvZPIJ-6ckrFtCOWFQewEYCMkyX_SPfh4gHa82dKiW9x0NIzv8jSxMTlqK-exMpMgjH9Vqm8_-Pwhqmd_z8ycVu8TR2FU9ez32OVmFt76fZ3QzSKR9rqNt6hesxsRz08Ui_c9HBwJwHLb2DLz9_S-2OMjOg6Crrq2ieOUHB8yEQ/s4032/mandylion1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98krTNBBu5Ty_vS3AvZPIJ-6ckrFtCOWFQewEYCMkyX_SPfh4gHa82dKiW9x0NIzv8jSxMTlqK-exMpMgjH9Vqm8_-Pwhqmd_z8ycVu8TR2FU9ez32OVmFt76fZ3QzSKR9rqNt6hesxsRz08Ui_c9HBwJwHLb2DLz9_S-2OMjOg6Crrq2ieOUHB8yEQ/s320/mandylion1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The icon is off to a great start - cartoon traced on board, gold leaf applied, and halo base painted.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtf2Jw8oZogpTrsMPHGApy8NtZDJtBnQr-cd97cnRUFA2SWeZ7roR4_v0JQX7snZXg3iXtO7vvoCi63oXhksudBGJK0xZWa1hUOqwi8zvjkqSPs7EyCI_lSzi92ke-Qp5_ZuzLudqkAZ9LA3OyX_qOTukNFS4KrOcWS4VrwjbgYtqDr3mvyutPS9krpQ/s2881/mandylion%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2881" data-original-width="2881" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtf2Jw8oZogpTrsMPHGApy8NtZDJtBnQr-cd97cnRUFA2SWeZ7roR4_v0JQX7snZXg3iXtO7vvoCi63oXhksudBGJK0xZWa1hUOqwi8zvjkqSPs7EyCI_lSzi92ke-Qp5_ZuzLudqkAZ9LA3OyX_qOTukNFS4KrOcWS4VrwjbgYtqDr3mvyutPS9krpQ/s320/mandylion%203.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The completed icon drying on the easel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Here are samples of other Mandylions I found on the web.</b></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitiEWEY2531MZr-t3Zev7bpQRcy0FixAPQn0KkzaPmmJGY7Ja-_Q5tu9HNwveD6urUjVD3aN2bbUdb-LOr9Dxc2McSUfXCyUeW347e-F67O4owbT9nS3JmtvZ3Xx7yhFWmt8R7yDAntkuVmK8t4_8luS0ASCquE0JvpLym6-aYwvjKd0JFTqUKJcNkOw/s600/mandylion2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="515" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitiEWEY2531MZr-t3Zev7bpQRcy0FixAPQn0KkzaPmmJGY7Ja-_Q5tu9HNwveD6urUjVD3aN2bbUdb-LOr9Dxc2McSUfXCyUeW347e-F67O4owbT9nS3JmtvZ3Xx7yhFWmt8R7yDAntkuVmK8t4_8luS0ASCquE0JvpLym6-aYwvjKd0JFTqUKJcNkOw/s320/mandylion2.jpg" width="275" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsgrktlLX-3doY3yv_XOdFWowLHbok2oJLhfvUgtyDtJIwkC2NhacU-3wm-V8Z9cRyhpt0sj197HFKzRIENVsib2jvbPDYQ6Xxb7lHIpvRjcSeYCIMT6IhZ8tqYJMKkC91SJZJomFWNcJCs5P-ZPIlQEmpS59JryDNU9VeyW3X6ZzIRvk8YXr4bFdBw/s666/mandylion%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="563" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsgrktlLX-3doY3yv_XOdFWowLHbok2oJLhfvUgtyDtJIwkC2NhacU-3wm-V8Z9cRyhpt0sj197HFKzRIENVsib2jvbPDYQ6Xxb7lHIpvRjcSeYCIMT6IhZ8tqYJMKkC91SJZJomFWNcJCs5P-ZPIlQEmpS59JryDNU9VeyW3X6ZzIRvk8YXr4bFdBw/s320/mandylion%201.jpg" width="271" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face=""Lucida Grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Sans", Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">For additional information on the history of the Mandylion Icon, please click on: </span><a href="https://melkite.org/tag/transfer-of-the-holy-mandylion" style="font-family: "Lucida Grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Sans", Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">» Transfer of the Holy Mandylion (melkite.org)</a></div><p> </p>jojo sabalvaro tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823593650174785959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043757208050201516.post-39277278227302972752022-04-28T11:26:00.005-05:002022-05-02T14:33:27.873-05:00Lenten Devotion Projects<p>Every Lent, I embark on an art project which inspires me to meditate on the passion of Christ. This year, I did four projects - a watercolor painting of Jesus Suffering, a clay sculpture of Jesus Crucifixion and icons of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel. It seems the world has gone even crazier nowadays - a threat of World War III, pandemic and lockdowns, wavering democracy, breakdown of the family unit, so many deaths and illnesses in our circle of family and friends and folks are losing faith in the church, government and schools, The list goes on. This is one of those times in history when prayers are more needed. During my sessions, I played Benedictine Monk Chants or listened to prayers, scriptures and meditations on the Amen app. These kept me focused. Thankfully, all four projects were completed before Easter.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Jesus Suffering on the Cross</i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEwago3yWn9XWnandv83ZqHiYV-METZnifC6gsVLToQEStBJpwGz8mljw1JpLWGyQ-GI-I3y_zeOjC3u0GR26j0J4t4UDfnqaD3S2upLNyiNG_tDKK5DA3mc_WOpOtg8Wq57OBjPzAucLtSJ-DxTwqgp-whGTogo8q4qBpClmA-R8doCsI47kc6ksrA/s4028/Jesus%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4028" data-original-width="2877" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEwago3yWn9XWnandv83ZqHiYV-METZnifC6gsVLToQEStBJpwGz8mljw1JpLWGyQ-GI-I3y_zeOjC3u0GR26j0J4t4UDfnqaD3S2upLNyiNG_tDKK5DA3mc_WOpOtg8Wq57OBjPzAucLtSJ-DxTwqgp-whGTogo8q4qBpClmA-R8doCsI47kc6ksrA/s320/Jesus%202022.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2022</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">5"x7"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Painting by jojo sabalvaro tan</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Watercolor on watercolor paper</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Jesus Suffering was painted in my favorite medium, watercolors. I decided to use bright colors to symbolize the hope and salvation promised in Jesus' death and coming. Coincidentally, in the process of creating this painting</span><span style="text-align: left;">, we heard news of family members and friends who passed away, this image was used for personalized sympathy cards.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>JESUS CRUCIFIXION</u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD77Pz_cbjuFOE90pF3__7U-9lQlzYXGdrNwkoaGx2PIEbrj8EBdpUgCoTIjCYdKbyTZUl_T4MPR97ixzY6-3Kw7nCbx0OBpGenT-H9MoHURdsI8d2qMbximd1wkAZLR13nK7U7vq8ry-Rc2JYzG1YmizAm-VWETO95lzUgFiTNnvOJutXdpthTALwug/s3741/jesus%20on%20the%20cross1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3741" data-original-width="2672" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD77Pz_cbjuFOE90pF3__7U-9lQlzYXGdrNwkoaGx2PIEbrj8EBdpUgCoTIjCYdKbyTZUl_T4MPR97ixzY6-3Kw7nCbx0OBpGenT-H9MoHURdsI8d2qMbximd1wkAZLR13nK7U7vq8ry-Rc2JYzG1YmizAm-VWETO95lzUgFiTNnvOJutXdpthTALwug/s320/jesus%20on%20the%20cross1.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Jesus crucifixion sculpture in leather-stage drying on the rack.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXFADs7VutbEsBxvdzg7eP7uAw8_Redg5aGNZLHDiE0ZX1LYa-sBgUpxbZ1BBXZ2QTukJtLsuFvnMojgByLyw88eoLo1_Ws1j7MQFhIQtl7bqW6P4vHzVvJtQG8G7LNPXKU99NDIQh6WaRSiFUXqHPAtwdGv7D5mPTii5BnppVSRLus_cONBsWVKb-w/s4032/jessus%20on%20the%20cross2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXFADs7VutbEsBxvdzg7eP7uAw8_Redg5aGNZLHDiE0ZX1LYa-sBgUpxbZ1BBXZ2QTukJtLsuFvnMojgByLyw88eoLo1_Ws1j7MQFhIQtl7bqW6P4vHzVvJtQG8G7LNPXKU99NDIQh6WaRSiFUXqHPAtwdGv7D5mPTii5BnppVSRLus_cONBsWVKb-w/s320/jessus%20on%20the%20cross2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jesus Crucifixion Clay Sculpture</div>5" x 6"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sculpted by jojo sabalvaro tan</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Material - Das Air-dry clay</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p>The Jesus on the Cross sculpture was done using Das air-dry clay. By popular vote, I kept it the natural terracotta color and mounted it on a rustic wooden cross, purchased separately. </p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>ARCHANGEL ICONS</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The most known Archangels in the Western Christian church are Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. The Eastern Orthodox church names four other Archangels. It is believed that Archangels are mediators and messengers between God and human beings. I decided to paint the icons of Gabriel and Michael together and maybe later, paint one of Raphael, too. </p><p>The two archangels took two weeks to complete, as compared to the other two projects which took one day each, not including drying time. They were painted on a cradled gesso board. I used an adapted Cretan-style of iconography which has a tendency of being more realistic. Instead of using egg tempera, I opted for acrylics since I already have the medium in my stash. I also used oil paints for glazing and antiquing. In traditional iconography, the icon is painted from dark to light values, letting the figure come to life as light is slowly added. As a watercolorist who normally paint from light to dark, this process is difficult for me and takes a good amount of discipline and patience.</p><p>Here are the general steps I took to paint the icons of the Archangels.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><u>ARCHANGEL GABRIEL</u></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIeLMbycAxZ3o8JDW2K6Sqs8ZuaBRRJdb7F36lv5fMdlLlRtEqchAuKcnOfDTJ-rF9xk5euwM_JiZCPO8zW8kwVqdBAropp3pnDTN8VSRHRePsSuhh0t0LrHhZnsmcPzmnVeYVUjEy_eW0I_Px9Ckw4TxXacFSXtM9-05Og6HJy9Ovi2BEcV-Sz1heyw/s4032/gabriel%20cartoon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIeLMbycAxZ3o8JDW2K6Sqs8ZuaBRRJdb7F36lv5fMdlLlRtEqchAuKcnOfDTJ-rF9xk5euwM_JiZCPO8zW8kwVqdBAropp3pnDTN8VSRHRePsSuhh0t0LrHhZnsmcPzmnVeYVUjEy_eW0I_Px9Ckw4TxXacFSXtM9-05Og6HJy9Ovi2BEcV-Sz1heyw/s320/gabriel%20cartoon.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1. Trace the cartoon (pattern) of the angel onto the gessoed board.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPNZgUYHQa1dTcrIQ_FlTadTQgS6ObPoMaLqOH6xHozSQEU9jAoQPp0X3uE-Co7lNdLMS8wFFtnW9Tj-bGu4UtsrbM3_gkvrPfm6cV3KOnRa4p50WFStzLXoy0EwR7WYAA0KPi_vm1-zBfB18aey-sUcPl1xgKwYItsi_hNYc7t-okmsoeRU2TIX6oA/s4032/gabriel%20base%20coat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPNZgUYHQa1dTcrIQ_FlTadTQgS6ObPoMaLqOH6xHozSQEU9jAoQPp0X3uE-Co7lNdLMS8wFFtnW9Tj-bGu4UtsrbM3_gkvrPfm6cV3KOnRa4p50WFStzLXoy0EwR7WYAA0KPi_vm1-zBfB18aey-sUcPl1xgKwYItsi_hNYc7t-okmsoeRU2TIX6oA/s320/gabriel%20base%20coat.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2. Apply gold leaf to halo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3. Basecoat hair, angel wings and garments. Outline garment folds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8jKYhKB8OTNTkmX869WePJUUeq3Y7LZ_T39EHWG-GG4TigK_OjZXo8iKXy5PFrTsrroxjrAaCj2MY7Oe_kmIqxXewMLEEumI3XtIJRTs2gIl_MyAn3EMNiuGzhVJs25P_V_BKrqC-4pK2KY0qv5uY0xCEc0aNGJZ5UzTa3AySgN526f9MACKnqYgdw/s4032/gabriel%20clothing%20and%20wings.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8jKYhKB8OTNTkmX869WePJUUeq3Y7LZ_T39EHWG-GG4TigK_OjZXo8iKXy5PFrTsrroxjrAaCj2MY7Oe_kmIqxXewMLEEumI3XtIJRTs2gIl_MyAn3EMNiuGzhVJs25P_V_BKrqC-4pK2KY0qv5uY0xCEc0aNGJZ5UzTa3AySgN526f9MACKnqYgdw/s320/gabriel%20clothing%20and%20wings.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4. Apply highlights and shadows of the hair, garments and the wings.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">5. Work on face and hands by first applying a dark base and highlighting the face and hands features.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">6. Complete facial features.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">7. Write the Saint's name or symbol. </div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDr8egR4CH4GeHSbP6_Zxj554xVf2pvjVmGQtJ2KKcCjk8g5gDNZCl8_Pllrnh-OVax0p2xRYuyefSY6Rx6aE7prMOi_x3eI76UkDG_bW2m7uC9GyQsb5-60VioHs221KZr5IuShSG0yWcRZiREsUETFksdkmN1d3de0qt_tMtmrwfuQA5QPWp1KD64g/s3510/gabriel%20almost%20finish.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3510" data-original-width="2733" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDr8egR4CH4GeHSbP6_Zxj554xVf2pvjVmGQtJ2KKcCjk8g5gDNZCl8_Pllrnh-OVax0p2xRYuyefSY6Rx6aE7prMOi_x3eI76UkDG_bW2m7uC9GyQsb5-60VioHs221KZr5IuShSG0yWcRZiREsUETFksdkmN1d3de0qt_tMtmrwfuQA5QPWp1KD64g/s320/gabriel%20almost%20finish.jpg" width="249" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">8. Archangel Gabriel is almost done with just a bit of fine tuning needed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>ARCHANGEL MICHAEL</b></div></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91hCTPb_u362zGp1MLr1prxjrRkzdVpoiwWmAfDd4_dlI1l7auUaE9wFtLf7u5Vo_sAoqcDtyUt7nqH3gHBKT9QeEONOCB93VUY9YSndeEi0VV5Gm4X3TzyL9rIRdkRJEt1ymlQiXwY6U10KAgt88Bg4qIfep6DmyzoGRtoh3IRolEdZY_Od-CRQdQQ/s4032/michael%20basecoat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91hCTPb_u362zGp1MLr1prxjrRkzdVpoiwWmAfDd4_dlI1l7auUaE9wFtLf7u5Vo_sAoqcDtyUt7nqH3gHBKT9QeEONOCB93VUY9YSndeEi0VV5Gm4X3TzyL9rIRdkRJEt1ymlQiXwY6U10KAgt88Bg4qIfep6DmyzoGRtoh3IRolEdZY_Od-CRQdQQ/s320/michael%20basecoat.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Base coating entire icon and applying fold leaf to halo done.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMAiISnYb-cfcjPSRXdJct5X8gxL8r1TlQGz2Bw1CEsJ06_-LiQzDZrOcFogcNNHrmoN5CuUZl6Fsis067RveQ6ZVlD0iVLV_AGacjAzmKHjGAC28opqUEzdUPYJNEHWbjQ21l1PZk23aSuak0fi8Q5nnz9mAbxGpohc-xGmkonyEE9ugHELD8zHmKQ/s4032/michael%20almost%20done.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMAiISnYb-cfcjPSRXdJct5X8gxL8r1TlQGz2Bw1CEsJ06_-LiQzDZrOcFogcNNHrmoN5CuUZl6Fsis067RveQ6ZVlD0iVLV_AGacjAzmKHjGAC28opqUEzdUPYJNEHWbjQ21l1PZk23aSuak0fi8Q5nnz9mAbxGpohc-xGmkonyEE9ugHELD8zHmKQ/s320/michael%20almost%20done.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Almost completed icon, just a bit of tweaking still needed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIlnbKUvFg6saAscBPQerczvbOjHf_R74nE9ov-yXodBTjoQUarEGd17HwSrC1LxE3dz0pIgHoEnHiQgnuMl2O-KHjouWY94VUcLcOEYsidQWerXBbss0G8C9tRLWJb7TvgvKHU4S1eL13SYAdEDmEFqIAAii6yX1xuhTHSUZW_sHXJD8LoUK6iPhTw/s3023/michael%20and%20gabriel%20framed.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2818" data-original-width="3023" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIlnbKUvFg6saAscBPQerczvbOjHf_R74nE9ov-yXodBTjoQUarEGd17HwSrC1LxE3dz0pIgHoEnHiQgnuMl2O-KHjouWY94VUcLcOEYsidQWerXBbss0G8C9tRLWJb7TvgvKHU4S1eL13SYAdEDmEFqIAAii6yX1xuhTHSUZW_sHXJD8LoUK6iPhTw/s320/michael%20and%20gabriel%20framed.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The archangel icons framed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This icon project inspires me to learn more about Byzantine and Cretan iconography. I've always wanted to sign up for a one-on-one lesson with those who practice traditional iconography. It is truly more than painting and requires a lot of dedication and faith. Unfortunately, there is rarely any classes offered close to where I am. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy Easter everyone! May God shower you with blessings, love and peace.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://christian.net/bible/?book=Philippians&chapter=4&version=bbe&verse=13" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); appearance: none; border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 201, 84); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1252a6; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); appearance: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Philippians 4:13</span></a><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); appearance: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #242424; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> I am able to do all things through Him who gives me strength.</span></span></b></div>jojo sabalvaro tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823593650174785959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043757208050201516.post-76543902893765446112021-09-24T12:48:00.052-05:002021-09-24T17:08:27.150-05:00Our Lady of Guadalupe Retablo<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqXw6d64aDSH0VaZ3qFkzSjf0q6ZvVSpk7IZMac76kErrwz58IsceqEmTU9C_pIDUi7I7OQLzRBRwAixGHqEqgMxNNx3CTprji-mzCEPnwCul_CMO2JbRCFjT2ka3sdEjy1RoaWggvmAf/s2048/guadalupe+3+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1485" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqXw6d64aDSH0VaZ3qFkzSjf0q6ZvVSpk7IZMac76kErrwz58IsceqEmTU9C_pIDUi7I7OQLzRBRwAixGHqEqgMxNNx3CTprji-mzCEPnwCul_CMO2JbRCFjT2ka3sdEjy1RoaWggvmAf/w290-h400/guadalupe+3+%25282%2529.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Lady of Guadalupe Retablo 2021<br />Low-relief sculpture<br />7 1/2" x 4"<br />by jojo sabalvaro tan<br />Clay and Acrylics</td></tr></tbody></table><br />When I first got started to be interested in crafting retablos, I did some research on the internet for inspiration on which saints to work on as well as the style and methods utilized in making them. Retablos or small altars of saints are used for veneration and prayer and are popular with Catholics. They are usually made with wood, tin or clay. Since I've been experimenting with air-dry clay lately, I decided to fashion my retablos out of clay. Instead of making nicho-style retablos which resemble dioramas, I went with working on a slab and carving out the subject in low bas-relief.<p></p><p></p><p>In my research, I discovered that the most popular saint in retablos is the Virgin Mary. Her retablo come in all forms and characterization. The most popular Virgin Mary depiction is Our Lady of Guadalupe. It is no surprise since most of the retablos are crafted in Latin American countries which claim Our Lady of Guadalupe as their patroness. During one of our overseas high school class reunions, some of my classmates and I were able to visit the site of Our Lady of Guadalupe's miracle in Mexico City. We were blessed to see the original image as we passed it on a 'walk-a-lator' (moving conveyor belt). We took several passes so we can take better photos. </p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5DE5QJejXe9QTYAQgNUQ4-YqM4h8REkMLqm8rkxZAxgaXaUEZPXnu_jy2ERe3YBmTd_gkRZqojpxnm7yNwKlzf2V06D95EoPKrxPKj48-ST4p3eOjTfa_wxQQ1v85ZKqtXSTHWQCCEtA/s2048/guadalupe1+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5DE5QJejXe9QTYAQgNUQ4-YqM4h8REkMLqm8rkxZAxgaXaUEZPXnu_jy2ERe3YBmTd_gkRZqojpxnm7yNwKlzf2V06D95EoPKrxPKj48-ST4p3eOjTfa_wxQQ1v85ZKqtXSTHWQCCEtA/s320/guadalupe1+%25282%2529.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Our Lady of Guadalupe retablo, drying on a rack. I carved out the image while the clay is in leather-stage. The clay is covered in plastic so it dries slowly to prevent cracking.</div><div><p><br /></p><p>In iconography, Our Lady of Guadalupe is shown surrounded by luminous light with the moon under her feet and an angel supporting her. </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQhU_9R_ffhjDBlcIrY1ECciTQVi9BQVOm6Uz8PNGlbXYbD91cwMw-yMFnVRstcdZgLV2XN7WLvj6qLi4IF0WWsiUZY_nbbn357hDaSLX5VMRHha4puHd4Yc9aPBJtU6xHxrgyHsyKwNH/w274-h400/guadalupe+4+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="274" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For this retablo, I added columns and flowers embellishments. The rays are cut-up toothpicks painted gold. This retablo is the most Latin American -inspired that I've created so far. It is, characteristically, folksy.</span><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="10" style="color: black; width: 98%px;"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td><span> </span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJCmoJS78sCPBDwTZVMDnGp25zrc4h7gnupEzvbHp6HTvJhOE-_4j-jB24GerVT6EI_nvYWngtpwX29KAiZBCzUB8UGuzG5KSwojjVwfrnYlWgJsxwMD8bqgUKfA-EOQA5ma3c15jORG3/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span> </span><img data-original-height="428" data-original-width="275" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJCmoJS78sCPBDwTZVMDnGp25zrc4h7gnupEzvbHp6HTvJhOE-_4j-jB24GerVT6EI_nvYWngtpwX29KAiZBCzUB8UGuzG5KSwojjVwfrnYlWgJsxwMD8bqgUKfA-EOQA5ma3c15jORG3/w205-h320/image.png" title="Our Lady of Guadalupe Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico City Feast Day- December 12" width="205" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: medium;">Our Lady of Guadalupe</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico City</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Feast Day- December 12 </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><b><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe</span></b></div></b><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> (Source EWTN)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Our Lady of Guadalupe,</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Mystical Rose, </span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">make intercession for holy Church,</span></i></div><i style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div><i><span style="font-family: times;">protect the sovereign Pontiff,</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: times;">help all those who invoke you in their necessities,</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: times;">and since you are the ever Virgin Mary</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: times;">and Mother of the true God,</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: times;">obtain for us from your most holy Son</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: times;">the grace of keeping our faith,</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: times;">of sweet hope in the midst of the bitterness of life</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: times;">of burning charity, and the precious gift</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: times;">of final perseverance.</span></i></div></span></i><p style="text-align: start;"></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Amen.</span></i></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: times; font-style: italic;">For more information about the miracle, Please click on link: </span><a href="https://the-american-catholic.com/2020/12/12/our-lady-of-guadalupe-miracles-facts-and-fancy-4/#:~:text=Roses%20growing%20in%20Mexico%20in%20December%20were%20a,where%20the%20roses%20had%20been%20held%20by%20him." style="font-family: times; font-style: italic;">Our Lady of Guadalupe Miracle</a></span></div><div class="page-wrapper" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-flow: column nowrap; height: 609px; justify-content: space-between; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;"><div class="main-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex-grow: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="document" style="box-sizing: border-box; float: left; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3em; width: 1263px;"><div class="document__container --layout--margin-top --layout--margin-bottom" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 2em auto; max-width: 800px; padding: 0px; width: 800px;"><div class="document__grid" style="box-sizing: border-box; float: left; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 800px;"><div class="document__row" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px -1em; padding: 0px;"><div class="document__column" style="box-sizing: border-box; float: left; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 832px;"><div class="document__column-inner" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 1em; padding: 0px;"><div class="document__body-copy" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 2em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><p><br style="font-size: medium;" /></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div>jojo sabalvaro tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823593650174785959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043757208050201516.post-45963692360515220222021-09-14T22:45:00.002-05:002021-09-19T14:25:14.097-05:00Mater Dolorosa Retablo<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDdBHPNw9pdpW74RvqpKPLWM4IlXAXR_JF8W7TMYYdInOX7nI7aRmq4clTJ9wbR2B-H3iDCY3h8UcVVyN2HR6InBFt1Jn_kPY3h4s1Wz9MvKXmHQQc8IHwu22YVNjmzx3xnspgr-JUn_c/s2048/macarena7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1243" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDdBHPNw9pdpW74RvqpKPLWM4IlXAXR_JF8W7TMYYdInOX7nI7aRmq4clTJ9wbR2B-H3iDCY3h8UcVVyN2HR6InBFt1Jn_kPY3h4s1Wz9MvKXmHQQc8IHwu22YVNjmzx3xnspgr-JUn_c/w387-h640/macarena7.jpg" width="387" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Our Lady of Sorrows (Mater Dolorosa) </b>2021<br />by jojo sabalvaro tan<br />Low bas-relief sculpture<br />6 1/4" x 3 1/2" x 1/4"<br />Clay, gouache and 24K gold paint<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><p>One of my high school BFFs (Best Friend Forever), Jimmy, passed away from heart complications and COVID 19. We seem to be getting a bit immune to news of folks getting ill and succumbing to COVID since we are constantly bombarded with news everywhere of people who have contracted the disease so much so that we kind of become numb to the ravages of this virus. But when a relative or close friend dies from it, the pain is immeasurable, especially since most COVID deaths are lonely deaths, with no family and friends surrounding the dying love one. </p><p>I was really saddened by the death of my friend of 60 plus years. We were usually miles apart but distance did not break our bond. As a matter of fact, the majority of my high school classmates who happen to be scattered in Asia, Europe and the Americas are close-knit and have made a point to keep in constant contact through many reunions, emails and social media. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6NQ-AI8pWT0o4uCmKG-kpEFLEsWeHLe1oCGH1nchXmwGim8DfR9PX5ELbTmmTVMAaJejQopnTm3oEdHVM55VZFQsVIqVHhQT_cBfk_HPJerldmjOykIEN5Mh-6ZCmybUmd2epCg5AYYx/s1756/macarena2.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1756" data-original-width="1284" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6NQ-AI8pWT0o4uCmKG-kpEFLEsWeHLe1oCGH1nchXmwGim8DfR9PX5ELbTmmTVMAaJejQopnTm3oEdHVM55VZFQsVIqVHhQT_cBfk_HPJerldmjOykIEN5Mh-6ZCmybUmd2epCg5AYYx/s320/macarena2.png" width="234" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Macarena<br />Seville Cathedral<br />Feast Day - September 15</td></tr></tbody></table><p>When I grieve for a close friend or relative, I find solace in creating an artwork. I picked it up from my dad who also painted and sculpted to ease his grief when a love one dies. Recently, I have been working on retablos made from clay, so I decided to stick with that medium. The inspiration for this retablo is La Macarena in Seville, Spain, a beautiful depiction of the grieving Mary over the lost of her Son, Jesus Christ. The statue is also called Our Lady of Sorrow and Mater Dolorosa. My husband and I were treated to a private viewing of the Macarena when we were in Seville. The Seville Cathedral happened to be closed when we arrived there and we saw a priest up and about and asked what time they would open since we came expressly to view the Macarena. He offered to let us in. It was an amazing experience and we felt extremely blessed. </p><p><br /></p><p>Here are some photos of the Our Lady of Sorrow Retablo while I was working on it. The process took about 12 days. Most of the time was due to the clay and paint drying time. Needless to say, waiting can be tedious so I would have a few things lined up that I refer to as 'Waiting for the Paint (Clay) to Dry' projects which could be as mundane as sorting my art supplies.</p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHScx8hU9zL8IRSynJLghMqCvKyPgQdIkIJZUaPy6AAbXMO9fPDAHB2Ca-T_KU1UU98cKLxwMtI7-4Mgbvh_6wb3LuqSN8LWCU6ZvIU-TfNRrvSBLhY_868Hacs5G6fY0jG7-Xuo-4osGd/s2048/Macarena1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1438" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHScx8hU9zL8IRSynJLghMqCvKyPgQdIkIJZUaPy6AAbXMO9fPDAHB2Ca-T_KU1UU98cKLxwMtI7-4Mgbvh_6wb3LuqSN8LWCU6ZvIU-TfNRrvSBLhY_868Hacs5G6fY0jG7-Xuo-4osGd/s320/Macarena1.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Lady of Sorrows in clay-drying stage</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Mater Dolorosa in iconography is usually represented with a sad and anguished or weeping face. She always stands erect with no child in her arms. She normally holds a white cloth (handkerchief) in her left hand. She is also portrayed with seven piercing swords, representative of her seven sorrows.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px; text-align: start;">Traditionally, the Seven Sorrows are:</p><ol style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; list-style-image: none; margin: 0.3em 0px 0px 3.2em; padding: 0px; text-align: start;"><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">The Prophecy of Simon </li><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_into_Egypt" style="background: none; color: #0645ad; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Flight into Egypt">F</a>light to Egypt </li><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">The Loss of Jesus in the Temple</li><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">Mary meeting Jesus carrying the cross </li><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">The Crucifixion of Jesus </li><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">The Deposition of Christ.</li><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">The Burial of Jesus</li></ol></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJtaRb2hGEcTjrG8sypfcr-OM3MwIsxm6k4-93FSAa1-rcqM8U1AidpjsloRxw746RZLtJQ45MxOwzd4vO_O31yaFECAs8vKnT3o7px_FHucKqiP8R1YrW0BQgNfiOadmtqr9a7kpd1hn/s2048/macarena3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJtaRb2hGEcTjrG8sypfcr-OM3MwIsxm6k4-93FSAa1-rcqM8U1AidpjsloRxw746RZLtJQ45MxOwzd4vO_O31yaFECAs8vKnT3o7px_FHucKqiP8R1YrW0BQgNfiOadmtqr9a7kpd1hn/s320/macarena3.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost completed retablo on stand while paint dries</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>The creation of this retablo was accompanied with prayers and memories of the times we shared with Jimmy and it had been cathartic. I hope that those who view it will find some comfort in it too.</p><p>I dedicate this retablo to our beloved classmate, Jimmy, whose frequent emails and quiet but impactful presence will be sorely missed. I am quite sure, though, that when one or two classmates get together, Jimmy's spirit will be there.</p><p><br /></p><p>In the course of working on this project, I discovered that there is a rosary used to pray the Seven Sorrows of Mary. I have prayed the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, in addition to the regular rosary. I will now include the Rosary/Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows in my prayers.</p><p>September is the month dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows.</p><p>Let us pray...</p><p><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.99)" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 1px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, that the most blessed Virgin Mary, thy Mother, may intercede for us before the throne of thy mercy, now and at the hour of our death, whose most holy soul was transfixed with the sword of sorrow in the hour of thine own Passion. Through Thee, Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen. </i></span></span></p><p>God bless everyone and keep safe.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />jojo sabalvaro tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823593650174785959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043757208050201516.post-86253445066747894742021-08-26T19:31:00.005-05:002021-09-19T14:32:12.294-05:00St. Rita of Cascia Clay Retablo<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2Jxb-Os6seBcHpMdieOvEXEM9YVh3ks511-c-irNcOK5ZgqA0lMnGPMDucP2uh-5UF751Bw-9KccMQPXKYbulzZi-bdvGNH0X3b3EoPuWp2jheIIBJFAgps0v6-73cO12ZKWHMStYTm-/s2048/st+rita+d+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1206" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2Jxb-Os6seBcHpMdieOvEXEM9YVh3ks511-c-irNcOK5ZgqA0lMnGPMDucP2uh-5UF751Bw-9KccMQPXKYbulzZi-bdvGNH0X3b3EoPuWp2jheIIBJFAgps0v6-73cO12ZKWHMStYTm-/w235-h400/st+rita+d+%25282%2529.jpg" width="235" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Retablo of St, Rita of Cascia<br /></b>by jojo sabalvaro tan 2022</span></h2><h2><span style="font-size: small;"> 8"x 4 1/2" x 1/4"<br />Air-dry Clay painted in acrylics and metallic gold paint</span></h2><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Here's another one of my attempts to make a retablo out of air-dry clay. This time I did an icon of St. Rita of Cascia for my cousin who is devoted to her. St Rita - The Patron Saint of the Impossible. St. Rita, in effect the female saint version of St. Jude. My cousin visited her incorrupt body at the St. Rita Basilica in Cascia. I really have no extensive knowledge of St. Rita's history. I do know that there a a number catholic schools and churches in the Philippines are named after her. There also a number of towns named after her, as well.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-align: justify;">This retablo is very similar to how I made the St. Claire one. Much like the Mexican and Latin American countries' retablos, I wanted my retablo to have a handmade and folksy look. </span><span style="text-align: justify;">Following traditional representations of St. Rita, I depicted her icon of wearing an Augustinian habit with a crucifix in her hand. A wound is also shown on her forehead. Most icons also depict her with roses, so I added those, too. </span><span style="text-align: justify;">It is done in low-relief sculpture by carving the shape of the image on an evenly flattened and smooth 1/4 inch thick clay slab. The floral decorations are molded from clay, as well. During the drying stage and when the clay is still pliable, I took the opportunity to make adjustments and refinements to the design. It took about a week for the clay to dry out enough so I can paint it. I used acrylics and gold metallic paint for accents. After painting, I attached the raised floral decorations with Gorilla super glue. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnufCvP2BYQ6w4PUSrTDdygDX91MmuNvOn11L-B57OQFq0vDvJEOwfsURE8CxzujBrSdNmeLxUlR09OZ6tP-5XLE7kzozS0X3sham6BdG7CZ481nGa-yb2eWu8s03Zsao7kLElkaywzuw/s2048/st+rita+a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnufCvP2BYQ6w4PUSrTDdygDX91MmuNvOn11L-B57OQFq0vDvJEOwfsURE8CxzujBrSdNmeLxUlR09OZ6tP-5XLE7kzozS0X3sham6BdG7CZ481nGa-yb2eWu8s03Zsao7kLElkaywzuw/s320/st+rita+a.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The photo shows the retablo in the leather stage with the floral embellishment ad they dry. I place them on a wire rack and loosely cover with a plastic sheet to prevent it from drying too fast and cracking. I have a bit of a problem when drying the clay since, as you can see from the photo, stripes appear from the grid of the rack. I need to find a solution to that.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiukQbVcfwkrGrNI-JxYsXDuCJJdSFjbwOmuX63gfyBBZEh7TQ92cIkMD7F7al_ky47dn-XfBweSrCKjap-UMG0klD3egcJFewUQriXtzr7WH246G883AVRSt-JXrankV7gxLucuE7yMN0/s2048/at+rita+b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiukQbVcfwkrGrNI-JxYsXDuCJJdSFjbwOmuX63gfyBBZEh7TQ92cIkMD7F7al_ky47dn-XfBweSrCKjap-UMG0klD3egcJFewUQriXtzr7WH246G883AVRSt-JXrankV7gxLucuE7yMN0/s320/at+rita+b.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Seal and basecoat applied and ready for detailed painting. I use Mod Podge Matte as sealer. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDa9c3AK44PwvcQJ1Brs45hed6-fDzYEYY7aO37azRPdS8aEJAXgxchmYYijMk0a49SvUcK-4_L_UzPxGP0yPMTP3K3FYepmqAlF1zcYDumEYzRdna29_7yrTxfqc6LYZCTo0fj2F7VINl/s2048/st+rita+c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDa9c3AK44PwvcQJ1Brs45hed6-fDzYEYY7aO37azRPdS8aEJAXgxchmYYijMk0a49SvUcK-4_L_UzPxGP0yPMTP3K3FYepmqAlF1zcYDumEYzRdna29_7yrTxfqc6LYZCTo0fj2F7VINl/w300-h400/st+rita+c.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">St. Rita of Cascia Retablo</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1l5KN-mb4BLi2ufAKKacXGpMlmrZUuzsYyIw3rZ4jhTlmV-S-5lBNAVW18BOwI7TmFoh0VANCmPdSU05KimCh7Ks4tOD9m1EanmilWHQnkjTUPhbdC6L1h3tfqrH5dTJ3e5CmayvGHlj7/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1l5KN-mb4BLi2ufAKKacXGpMlmrZUuzsYyIw3rZ4jhTlmV-S-5lBNAVW18BOwI7TmFoh0VANCmPdSU05KimCh7Ks4tOD9m1EanmilWHQnkjTUPhbdC6L1h3tfqrH5dTJ3e5CmayvGHlj7/" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">*Coming soon on the drying rack: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Infant Jesus and Ave Maria .<br /><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span face="Inter, sans-serif" style="font-weight: var(--cs-font-headings-weight);"><br /></span></span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><h2 style="background-color: #f4f1e6; color: #7d633b; font-family: "lucida sans unicode", "lucida sans", arial; line-height: 28.8px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Times New Roman;">Prayer to St. Rita in Special N</span><span style="color: #660000;">eed</span></span></h2><p style="background-color: #f4f1e6; color: #7d633b; font-family: "lucida sans unicode", "lucida sans", arial; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 5px;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px;">O powerful St. Rita, rightly calle</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px;">d Saint of the Impossible, I come to you with confidence in my great need. You know well my trials, for you yourself were many times burdened in this life. Come to my help, speak for me, pray with me, intercede on my behalf before the Father. I know that God has a most generous heart and that he is a most loving Father. Join your prayers to mine and obtain for me the grace I desire </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px;">(here mention your request)</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px;">. You who were so very pleasing to God on earth and are so mu</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px;">ch so now in heaven, I promise to use this favor, when granted, to better my life, to proclaim God's mercy, and to make you more widely known and loved. Amen.</span> </span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small; font-weight: var(--cs-font-headings-weight);">From Christian-Miracles.com</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: georgia; font-size: 16px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">For more information, here's the link to information about St. Rita:</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.catholiccompany.com/magazine/st-rita-of-cascia-patron-saint-of-the-impossible-6065"><span style="font-family: georgia;">St. Rita of Cascia: Patron Saint of the Impossible | The Catholic Company®</span></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.catholiccompany.com/magazine/st-rita-of-cascia-patron-saint-of-the-impossible-6065"><br /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.catholiccompany.com/magazine/st-rita-of-cascia-patron-saint-of-the-impossible-6065"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.catholiccompany.com/magazine/st-rita-of-cascia-patron-saint-of-the-impossible-6065"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.catholiccompany.com/magazine/st-rita-of-cascia-patron-saint-of-the-impossible-6065"><br /></a></div><a href="https://www.catholiccompany.com/magazine/st-rita-of-cascia-patron-saint-of-the-impossible-6065"><br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>jojo sabalvaro tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823593650174785959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043757208050201516.post-91710682441602933322021-07-21T13:03:00.001-05:002021-07-21T22:29:34.766-05:00St. Clare of Assisi Retablo in Air-dry Clay<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7PKZ6KAbSQJjQSKTBZQuHykX3w6dyUHGgw8Gd1zMBrkRlRJN666y5SBZOGdsSRwBL5j6Z4Vu8KfzpBOAXm8D08wfkwoA1kR-PTZvSTKIhPChRjXSNa_7Mflsvug7ADTJ-7-FRqBr8DDZ/s2048/st+clare+g+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1253" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7PKZ6KAbSQJjQSKTBZQuHykX3w6dyUHGgw8Gd1zMBrkRlRJN666y5SBZOGdsSRwBL5j6Z4Vu8KfzpBOAXm8D08wfkwoA1kR-PTZvSTKIhPChRjXSNa_7Mflsvug7ADTJ-7-FRqBr8DDZ/w392-h640/st+clare+g+%25282%2529.jpg" width="392" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">St. Clare of Assisi Retablo 2021</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">9"x 4 1/2"x 1/2"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Air-dry clay and acrylics</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">by jojo sabalvaro-tan</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I am continuing to experiment with working with air dry clay. This time I found inspiration in the colorful religious folk art of Mexico and the Central American countries. One particular artform, the retablos, caught my interest. These are devotional iconography naïve paintings depicting Christ, the Virgin Mother, and any of the many venerated saints in the Catholic church. These retablos are typically placed on an altar for daily prayers. They can be simple or elaborate and can be made from metal, wood and various found materials. The sizes may vary, with the ones used in churches as high as 40 feet and personal ones as small as a matchbox. </span></div><p><br /></p><p>Below is an example of a retablo of the Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe (Our Lady of Guadalupe) I found on the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute website. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.si.edu/mci/images/SantosPhotos/scmre34.jpg" style="color: #7a0607; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;"><img alt="Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe/Our Lady of Guadalupe" border="2" height="320" src="https://www.si.edu/mci/images/SantosPhotos/scmre34_small.jpg" style="margin-right: 20px;" width="209" /></a></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #202122; margin: 0.5em 0px;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: times; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #7a0607;"><em>Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe</em> : Our Lady of Guadalupe</span></b></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span face="Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;">Rose Leitner</span></b></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span face="Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;">1997, New Mexico</span></b></div><span face="Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #202122;"><span face="Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;">Retablo</span></b></div></span></b></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: times; font-size: xx-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">The Spanish Colonial Arts Society Museum, Santa Fe, New Mexico</div></span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px;"><br /></p><p>I decided to make a small retablo. Something that can be placed anywhere in the house to inspire prayer. At first, I wanted it small enough to use as a travelling devotional but, because clay is breakable, one has to be super careful with it . To start with, I had to pick a saint to depict and there are hundreds, if not thousands, to choose from. Most Catholic have a favorite saint or patron saint that they pray to. In many cases, the patron saint is their namesake. The Virgin Mary is always a popular choice. For no particular reason, I ended up choosing St. Clare of Assisi for my first retablo project. </p><p><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px;"><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UOEvWVYbW7VU42aZPHGBvnik2fbegU0GaTl2Vs_aSX-N5NuB2zNh8-29myogsuG3y6zkcHwROvG3t5XA5nRHeQhZtufYVTSgj4LLAqiSLRe-2r9hfIhPrQc7oCuTJVORizFzwxke65cs/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UOEvWVYbW7VU42aZPHGBvnik2fbegU0GaTl2Vs_aSX-N5NuB2zNh8-29myogsuG3y6zkcHwROvG3t5XA5nRHeQhZtufYVTSgj4LLAqiSLRe-2r9hfIhPrQc7oCuTJVORizFzwxke65cs/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UOEvWVYbW7VU42aZPHGBvnik2fbegU0GaTl2Vs_aSX-N5NuB2zNh8-29myogsuG3y6zkcHwROvG3t5XA5nRHeQhZtufYVTSgj4LLAqiSLRe-2r9hfIhPrQc7oCuTJVORizFzwxke65cs/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UOEvWVYbW7VU42aZPHGBvnik2fbegU0GaTl2Vs_aSX-N5NuB2zNh8-29myogsuG3y6zkcHwROvG3t5XA5nRHeQhZtufYVTSgj4LLAqiSLRe-2r9hfIhPrQc7oCuTJVORizFzwxke65cs/" width="197" /></a></blockquote><p> <span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: black; font-size: 12.32px;">Detail depicting Saint Clare from a </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fresco" style="background: none rgb(248, 249, 250); color: #0645ad; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.32px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Assisi">fresco</a><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: black; font-size: 12.32px;"> (c. 1320) by </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simone_Martini" style="background: none rgb(248, 249, 250); color: #0645ad; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.32px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="">Simone Martini</a><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: black; font-size: 12.32px;"> in the </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_San_Francesco_d%27Assisi" style="background: none rgb(248, 249, 250); color: #0645ad; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.32px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Italy in the Middle Ages">Lower basilica of San Francesco</a><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: black; font-size: 12.32px;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisi" style="background: none rgb(248, 249, 250); color: #0645ad; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.32px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="">Assisi</a></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; margin: 30px 0px 10px; text-align: left;"><b style="color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">An excerpt of St. Clare's biography from Wikipedia:</b></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 30px 0px 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: times;"><i><b>"Clare of Assisi</b> (born <b>Chiara Offreduccio</b> and sometimes spelled <b>Clara</b>, <b>Clair</b>, <b>Claire</b>, <b>Sinclair</b>; 16 July 1194 – 11 August 1253) was an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italians" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Italians">Italian</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Saint">saint</a> and one of the first followers of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Francis of Assisi">Francis of Assisi</a>.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Robinson_1-0" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clare_of_Assisi#cite_note-Robinson-1" style="background: none; text-decoration-line: none;">[1]</a></sup> She founded the Order of Poor Ladies, a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monasticism" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Monasticism">monastic</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_order" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Religious order">religious order</a> for women in the <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franciscan" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Franciscan">Franciscan</a> tradition, and wrote their Rule of Life,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-2" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clare_of_Assisi#cite_note-2" style="background: none; text-decoration-line: none;">[2]</a></sup> the first set of monastic guidelines known to have been written by a woman. Following her death, the order she founded was renamed in her honour as the Order of Saint Clare, commonly referred to today as the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poor_Clares" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-decoration-line: none;" title="">Poor Clares</a>. Her feast day is on 11 August."</i></span></p><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3no0vd7PEEtlkf6zKqt_LjdmtHLALC59WZSYREht3mgg2kYN-EhfBC0yT66LvZkmkbRqa1StEjUQKl95d6Tl32ma0LQokZB-LdVMI0Ma8W4nO9EeIvuwfh_ePHmQL2xGs1IQmsOjdOYSc/s2048/st+clare+a+%25282%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1833" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3no0vd7PEEtlkf6zKqt_LjdmtHLALC59WZSYREht3mgg2kYN-EhfBC0yT66LvZkmkbRqa1StEjUQKl95d6Tl32ma0LQokZB-LdVMI0Ma8W4nO9EeIvuwfh_ePHmQL2xGs1IQmsOjdOYSc/w179-h200/st+clare+a+%25282%2529.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>I shaped the 1/4" air-dry clay slab to fit my sketch and traced my design with a stylus while it was still wet. Using a stylus gives contoured depth to the lines. I let the clay air dry on a rack covered with a plastic bag with a damp paper towel tuck in it so it would dry slowly and not crack. It took about 5 days to dry completely. I checked on it everyday and made adjustments to the image, deepened some of the lines, and smooth out the surface while it still feels like soft leather. After the surface was completely dry, I coated the front and back completely with Mod Podge Matte and let it dry. You can tell it is dry enough to paint when the clay color is uniformly lighter on the entire surface, no longer cool to the touch, feels lighter in weight and hard like pottery. Once dry, I started applying the basecoat. I used acrylic medium to paint clay which seems to work best with it.<div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5aPQaevlCTXcMvJVeqz6JcGQ47NaNQ9qOoitlHvpKW_5nZ1JziQwC1_pcqyFKgs7zD7_B1cjw_McLTj4lKGEwURdgXayAZuAo4QB_NnrpHdENpXgezSGpUEsgglhTDpNBzXugBIcB1Y8/s2048/st+clare+b+%25282%2529.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5aPQaevlCTXcMvJVeqz6JcGQ47NaNQ9qOoitlHvpKW_5nZ1JziQwC1_pcqyFKgs7zD7_B1cjw_McLTj4lKGEwURdgXayAZuAo4QB_NnrpHdENpXgezSGpUEsgglhTDpNBzXugBIcB1Y8/w150-h200/st+clare+b+%25282%2529.jpg" width="150" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">The top coat and details were added once the basecoat was dry. I depicted St Clare with a monstrance and the brown habit with a black veil of the order of the Poor Clares founded by her. I've also included lily flowers. These are some of the items attributed to her and I had observed in many of her representations..</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk66m3O6OqvhN4f_9dmwykq0ka_BWKqIvLNIF0TjjKUcSsOJ7DRgJGv5PyCJ8HkVwRx3ndGF7XJ5RzV6oJ7wboHmW4KuHoykqpMt3WCu6MMRERhrlw6jD6Lb8NlfPGFqhEJgm64Ckx771a/s2048/st+clare+c+%25282%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk66m3O6OqvhN4f_9dmwykq0ka_BWKqIvLNIF0TjjKUcSsOJ7DRgJGv5PyCJ8HkVwRx3ndGF7XJ5RzV6oJ7wboHmW4KuHoykqpMt3WCu6MMRERhrlw6jD6Lb8NlfPGFqhEJgm64Ckx771a/w300-h400/st+clare+c+%25282%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>I added some painted clay flowers on the dome of the retablo for some three dimensional ornamentation. To finish, I lined the back with fabric and sprayed the front and back with clear varnish. I wanted this retablo to have a rustic, handmade look, in keeping with the Mexican and Central American retablos. I did not achieve the truly naïve folksy style I was going for, though. Maybe, I'll get there someday. I enjoyed making this retablo and I'll probably make more since they make perfect gifts for friends and family.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2f222a; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>"Go forth without fear, Christian soul, for you have a good guide for your journey. Go forth without fear, for He that created you has sanctified you, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother." - Saint Clare, on her deathbed in 1253</i></span></span></div></div></div>jojo sabalvaro tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823593650174785959noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043757208050201516.post-49546275389735803662021-07-11T14:28:00.007-05:002021-07-17T21:45:08.429-05:00Luca and Maia - A Portrait in Watercolor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtczuk_sYDvWH9fIVUVrQWd4m2z-zKqhf1twPWWF9TFt_KAJ18rU9x_HbXBnrbP0rmxUbUpNzS3ALPfE45EpWgh_cXrnTFKyFaB_04d8lx9jgM-QXn72tNetEcGwz3cGJ-0IqV3WlOnlUy/s2048/Luca3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtczuk_sYDvWH9fIVUVrQWd4m2z-zKqhf1twPWWF9TFt_KAJ18rU9x_HbXBnrbP0rmxUbUpNzS3ALPfE45EpWgh_cXrnTFKyFaB_04d8lx9jgM-QXn72tNetEcGwz3cGJ-0IqV3WlOnlUy/w320-h400/Luca3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Luca and Maia</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">8" x10"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Watercolor on 140# watercolor paper</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">by jojo sabalvaro tan </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">June 2021</div><p></p><p>My dear friend's youngest daughter, Maia, gave birth to a son, her first. They named him Luca. To me it is the perfect name since my friend had been waiting to have a grandchild for a long time and Luca truly brought his brilliance and light into their family. It is too bad that due to the pandemic, his grandparents had to wait months to visit and shower Luca with hugs and kisses. This has been the case for our family also and many other families who had babies born during the pandemic. We all had to make do with photos posted on the Facebook and other media and watching the baby's progress on Zoom or Google Duo. We hang on their every smile, expressions and antics. These babies remind us, that even in the worst of times, life goes on and love still abounds in our hearts.</p><p><br /></p><p>I had promised to make a quilt for Luca but, COVID precautions prevented me from purchasing supplies. So that project has been postponed to someday. Fortunately, Maia, who is also my goddaughter, posted a photo of her and Luca on Facebook. It was a charming picture and I thought of using the image as an inspiration for one of my Christmas Mother and Child paintings. I began making some preliminary sketches and continued on to painting it in watercolors. As I progressed, I became satisfied with the painting as representation of Luca and Maia and decided to scrap my original plan of adapting the image for one of my handwrought Christmas cards. So in the meantime, this is my gift to Luca and his parents until the quilt is made. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwWZSNw72usO5GHZK7IXRKXfk6nfuHnbuiRcm3PIO3IXe6ToQ-Ct34QWcDXUf-aKiAOLypTeaifHG4HCPgVbXz1uZepX9PRUvCqdIGH1dox3s8RvowzvG17ov1Jxz5vIP5TsIh1So36OB/s2048/Luca2+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwWZSNw72usO5GHZK7IXRKXfk6nfuHnbuiRcm3PIO3IXe6ToQ-Ct34QWcDXUf-aKiAOLypTeaifHG4HCPgVbXz1uZepX9PRUvCqdIGH1dox3s8RvowzvG17ov1Jxz5vIP5TsIh1So36OB/s320/Luca2+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preliminary sketch and prep for painting.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92TguPKTHiOsV3vqUH0tlJT3I7qkAy29G4z3sAa_tlI34-WsyrXefOqp3ECWX3TIBImGAbY9USduPYZm-4PnVHI9DxermAuJ8pOPhBI8No2xnc7vSOjjmfE88Wv8bVeAHchzzgDvVJlDH/s320/Luca1+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92TguPKTHiOsV3vqUH0tlJT3I7qkAy29G4z3sAa_tlI34-WsyrXefOqp3ECWX3TIBImGAbY9USduPYZm-4PnVHI9DxermAuJ8pOPhBI8No2xnc7vSOjjmfE88Wv8bVeAHchzzgDvVJlDH/s0/Luca1+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the painting work done. I decided to keep the background one color so the focus would be on the mother and baby. I also limited my palette to just viridian (for the sky), black, white and and my usual flesh mixture of yellow ochre, cadmium red, and burnt sienna. </td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><p> </p><p>They are teaching Luca to call me <i>Lola Ninang</i> which translates as 'Grandma-Godmother'. It sounds better said in Filipino than in English. <i>Lola Ninang</i> is new to me and I think it is perfect and I love it!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgn24kfni85RX7VM6NaDBjGpCcA1fJNCspA4Ka3M2J5kPRrAqUZNlJ_uAUCD7IAeZXOCZKkCeClBlA7wSr_v7QY-tRGYgn3V0MYWbIUPf95i-VhTyULLtNymPzhQhDSVoV_UHHHbC6cP2/s2048/Luca3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgn24kfni85RX7VM6NaDBjGpCcA1fJNCspA4Ka3M2J5kPRrAqUZNlJ_uAUCD7IAeZXOCZKkCeClBlA7wSr_v7QY-tRGYgn3V0MYWbIUPf95i-VhTyULLtNymPzhQhDSVoV_UHHHbC6cP2/w107-h134/Luca3.jpg" width="107" /></a></div><br /><p>Dear Luca, may your dreams come true and may you leave a mark on the world that inspires others to be the best they can be. It is in your genes. Love, Lola Ninang</p>jojo sabalvaro tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823593650174785959noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043757208050201516.post-37485480503494471362021-04-24T19:30:00.012-05:002021-07-10T23:02:55.617-05:00Pieta ala Luis de Morales Painting<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IdLETTJmp5NSd2KcWpYIkUYLCWn29PrSAWefzGUXUFoHaGMPWqFByj0VBNbswQQgKnEjawBmTujKzjRjSUciUYJLJgbzAgB_fYhi9R9AiuszsFyrxig-L50yUS6EV-A-24Tq42WEx-Iv/s2048/Piedad+4+%25282%2529.jpg" style="font-family: times; font-style: italic; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1244" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IdLETTJmp5NSd2KcWpYIkUYLCWn29PrSAWefzGUXUFoHaGMPWqFByj0VBNbswQQgKnEjawBmTujKzjRjSUciUYJLJgbzAgB_fYhi9R9AiuszsFyrxig-L50yUS6EV-A-24Tq42WEx-Iv/w242-h400/Piedad+4+%25282%2529.jpg" width="242" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pieta ala Luis de Morales 2021<br />by jojo sabalvaro tan<br />Watercolor on watercolor paper<br />8"x10"</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>This painting was difficult to do. Not because it is technically challenging, but because it was emotionally demanding. It became a meditation on the pandemic and how it affected the world in general, a world where almost every person can claim they know of someone who got ill or succumbed to the COVID 19 virus. Countless of Catholics and those of other faiths have sought the solace and companionship of daily Zoom rosary novenas, as well as Zoom wakes and funerals. It takes a toll on the psyche and one's physical and emotional health, even if you are normally strong. </p><p>My daddy used to grab his brushes or sculpting tools to handle his grief. When he lost his brother, he sculpted the Agony in the Garden scene. When my grandfather died, he painted a large mural of the Agony in the Garden on the outside wall of our terrace. When my mom died, he again made a sculpture of the Agony in the Garden and left it by her tomb. I've done the same. When a good friend passed away a few years ago, I painted The Lamentation of Christ in watercolor.</p><p>This month, in a week's time, we had four deaths - an old friend, a high school classmate, a member of our extended family and a nephew. Like my daddy, I grabbed my paintbrushes and started a painting. I was inspired by a painting by Luis de Morales (1512-1586), a Mannerist Spanish painter. He was given the sobriquet, El Divino, due to the realistic, expressive, and spiritual religious subjects he painted, particularly, the passion of Christ.</p><p>Where my daddy depicted the Agony in the Garden, I seem to gravitate towards the Lamentation of Christ theme. To view the painting and blogpost, please click on link: <a href="https://passporttocreativity.blogspot.com/2011/06/lamentation-of-christ-painting.html">Lamentation of Christ</a>. My painting is strongly derived from Luis de Morales' Pieta. In the painting, the Virgin Mary is cradling the dead body of Jesus Christ after he was brought down from the cross. I chose not to use as much dramatic dark shadows as El Divino did since, rather than despair, I wanted the brightness and the faith in the promise in the Holy Scriptures to come through, as stated below:</p><p><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: times;"> <span style="background-color: #fafafa;">She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matt. 1:20-21).</span><span style="background-color: #fafafa;"> </span></span></i></p><p><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white;">As for anyone who hears My words and does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I have not come to judge the world, but to save the world.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">(John</span><span style="background-color: white;"> 17:3</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px;"> )</span></span></i></p><p><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></i></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When I painted this Pieta, every stroke was a prayer and an embrace for those who died or fell ill to Covid and other sickness, as well as for their families and friends as they grieve and care for their love ones.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">May their FAITH lift them up, LOVE bring them comfort and STRENGTH allow them to move on.</span></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNl7ZV8Y6isoOy2KONhRvWAqqxKcAElivpYcaoXDpBsBOZrNQ3DpPORW1_xkVdIXTdIdjNvMbND9SeM2IaA4cePt45G7yHozGcXMZd4M_JeDWkEP_HhKHsZdyNBVtVeIYcT8PS-Fex64r/s2048/Piedad+1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNl7ZV8Y6isoOy2KONhRvWAqqxKcAElivpYcaoXDpBsBOZrNQ3DpPORW1_xkVdIXTdIdjNvMbND9SeM2IaA4cePt45G7yHozGcXMZd4M_JeDWkEP_HhKHsZdyNBVtVeIYcT8PS-Fex64r/s320/Piedad+1.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blocking the colors with a watercolor wash</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVLhm8Nq4CDXu5Foag29HBwSeXj9JlmgaZ8s82z4xtTOmQAoTIFVDBvPzhwkpQab4b-5iJc-50Sr_V1tfO9jgNATyeniabdbPFJM8EKclHMdRArOANhF5j4Q2QhDQ_QPQjddlG6x_NOl4x/s2048/Piedad+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVLhm8Nq4CDXu5Foag29HBwSeXj9JlmgaZ8s82z4xtTOmQAoTIFVDBvPzhwkpQab4b-5iJc-50Sr_V1tfO9jgNATyeniabdbPFJM8EKclHMdRArOANhF5j4Q2QhDQ_QPQjddlG6x_NOl4x/s320/Piedad+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working on the details</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #2b00fe; font-family: times; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyjlfb_bI9fU-WjPLnrubNx7jM3KFxqGHXiw9cmujqs86EbCe7wsiEgDbmC8B6iuqMcezJWVjUp6haRo7Ky_hnKV7UIEHbHsM0Nans66IHuqPwt9NnTZi3vsiPEOSqM0DNVl8yvzWONi4/s960/pieta+4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="692" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyjlfb_bI9fU-WjPLnrubNx7jM3KFxqGHXiw9cmujqs86EbCe7wsiEgDbmC8B6iuqMcezJWVjUp6haRo7Ky_hnKV7UIEHbHsM0Nans66IHuqPwt9NnTZi3vsiPEOSqM0DNVl8yvzWONi4/s320/pieta+4.jpg" /></a><br />The Orginal Pieta by </td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #767676; font-size: 13px; font-weight: 700; text-align: left;">Morales, Luis de Title Pietà</span><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"> Date 1565 - 1570 Technique Oil Support Panel Dimension Height: 42 cm.; Width: 30 cm. <br />Series Colección León Adolfo Laffitte Provenance León Adolfo Laffitte Maurin (1809-1876); inherited by Xavier Laffitte y Charlesteguy; donated by the latter to the Museo del Prado, 1930. <br />(Information from the catalog of the Prado Museum)</span><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-family: times; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px;">Farewell, Conrad, Doris, Ali and Leslie. You will be missed. May you rest in peace.</p>jojo sabalvaro tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823593650174785959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043757208050201516.post-75132948494888916262021-04-16T16:52:00.006-05:002021-04-17T11:53:30.764-05:00Miniature Folk Art Nativity Scene Set<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAflDM3vwYGSi1hT0DFffzrPetghubAIoJNwJ1lJ_-ApR7kjiEKU4tVpviTVx2o2W9fAVhbHew4tp78GirvNV9sdKi6cQRmevq_jZwjhnV7TI-Qnmh0n73UMlD5RWkD7iBcX8hd2GF4A34/s2048/mini+nativity+7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1834" data-original-width="2048" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAflDM3vwYGSi1hT0DFffzrPetghubAIoJNwJ1lJ_-ApR7kjiEKU4tVpviTVx2o2W9fAVhbHew4tp78GirvNV9sdKi6cQRmevq_jZwjhnV7TI-Qnmh0n73UMlD5RWkD7iBcX8hd2GF4A34/w400-h359/mini+nativity+7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">MIni Folk Art Nativity Set</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Das Terracotta Air Drying Clay painted with acrylics</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">by jojo sabalvaro tan 2021</div> <br />I collect thimbles. My classmate, Loida, gave me a set of thimbles fashioned into nativity set figures. These are on display in our house during the holidays along with our miniature Christmas tree.<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaz_bCdGvCGHE_blX6P4hw7uKcrQkj7gU28H0pfPjQ652EFmnmIMv1UR1bImUDUcaqeaaaN9vBzwE3dYANME3vthUlMegfmmvCOPpg9Cod7mpXxRuYdxbeUO2qR9Ubzr90dfqMGIIQop2S/s2048/mini+nativity+1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1752" data-original-width="2048" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaz_bCdGvCGHE_blX6P4hw7uKcrQkj7gU28H0pfPjQ652EFmnmIMv1UR1bImUDUcaqeaaaN9vBzwE3dYANME3vthUlMegfmmvCOPpg9Cod7mpXxRuYdxbeUO2qR9Ubzr90dfqMGIIQop2S/w182-h155/mini+nativity+1.jpg" width="182" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nativity Thimble Set from Loida</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I had some left over clay from a previous project and was inspired by the thimbles to make another nativity set, this time in miniature. Again, there is strong stylistic influence and inspiration coming from the Central and South American culture. The tallest figure is just 1 1/2" tall. I sculpted the usual creche characters - Baby Jesus, the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, the three kings, angel. a cow and a donkey. I still maintained the rustic and handcrafted look.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4mvMzdahoF-IalWORkggr6DUqVTHI_cbhTN-rdslO1i9ULc2WqqTqTeE1NgSDTGr0iAH1TWosB55LJj4kamzrqcoVjhmTZOXEGel2l14umSjhE4xjs24Xuv6eTmR_DSFvVzgP6i2necj/s2048/mini+nativity+3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4mvMzdahoF-IalWORkggr6DUqVTHI_cbhTN-rdslO1i9ULc2WqqTqTeE1NgSDTGr0iAH1TWosB55LJj4kamzrqcoVjhmTZOXEGel2l14umSjhE4xjs24Xuv6eTmR_DSFvVzgP6i2necj/w150-h200/mini+nativity+3.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Holy family with the cow and donkey (enlarged)</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39vzIWtBTdy4vSlXSoefPM2ZMFptkIYEwOs73y7pJFtCrNzZmkOmzMhB0_GtvRsmkohWBKUnxKJajynZQYpYmliyU1I2ngUfjPwuQFp5qaIs6PJGXuevK-S0Ev-MKK3v46Yp7NeRsdRzq/s2048/mini+nativity+8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1348" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39vzIWtBTdy4vSlXSoefPM2ZMFptkIYEwOs73y7pJFtCrNzZmkOmzMhB0_GtvRsmkohWBKUnxKJajynZQYpYmliyU1I2ngUfjPwuQFp5qaIs6PJGXuevK-S0Ev-MKK3v46Yp7NeRsdRzq/w132-h200/mini+nativity+8.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Three Wise Men</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pF2gfZ3Dn1Ng565jzf39IN2_z7o3y_0NtZdn191GLM2E8SF6ySs16K76Q1EH_yFmJ9R2ESbsDkUG0y8RSGRU3pQ-0VRSVRMA_7U6nUwhx8fbvKhphetM3SIbem7hGtbGanUHCLyPsv07/s2048/mini+nativity+11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1559" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pF2gfZ3Dn1Ng565jzf39IN2_z7o3y_0NtZdn191GLM2E8SF6ySs16K76Q1EH_yFmJ9R2ESbsDkUG0y8RSGRU3pQ-0VRSVRMA_7U6nUwhx8fbvKhphetM3SIbem7hGtbGanUHCLyPsv07/w153-h200/mini+nativity+11.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Angel and Cow</div><br />They were made with terracotta Das Air drying Clay and were painted in the predominantly Christmas colors of red and green with touches of white, black and gold. Overall, due to the small size, this was more difficult to work with than the first nativity set I made (with 31/2" figures) but on the other hand it took less time because the components dried faster. The figures were sealed with Mod Podge Matte and then sprayed with a Kamar gloss varnish after completely dry. Next time, I'll try Mod Podge Gloss to see if I can skip the varnishing step. The creche elements were individually mounted on a wooden base using Gorilla super glue. I decided to make a makeshift stable as a backdrop. I also added a date palm tree since we saw them all over the place in the Holy Land and I figured it is very likely they were present at the birth of Jesus.<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUnf4lHyWIvdF9Uyn-7R1PQqKUhjkH3JGMX1yJotUAo_0NQ9SbCChGnlZmXlABdc8c9UBn8h_lwprYjBxdgBk8ymtpmtKcpG1LzHwM3yXJgtznwmeWwsYOgsogH46pJWFRH4GFWWoeven/s2048/mini+nativity+6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUnf4lHyWIvdF9Uyn-7R1PQqKUhjkH3JGMX1yJotUAo_0NQ9SbCChGnlZmXlABdc8c9UBn8h_lwprYjBxdgBk8ymtpmtKcpG1LzHwM3yXJgtznwmeWwsYOgsogH46pJWFRH4GFWWoeven/w150-h200/mini+nativity+6.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The date palm in raw terracotta clay air drying before painting. It is very delicate so it will be difficult to transport.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjWs7dM9E4GKc7VuBzvgy0glB6OlOnrF0xdeW20st-RjKW9Y3kpD8mJIzCmLMqJuzD5sgFq-k6_LtJanGyIekqAKB6FNXqTvLgnWPgaxAXaLC3ZGLszhtnq-h5l9ehOLtUwIVxoeojqKi/s2048/mini+nativity+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjWs7dM9E4GKc7VuBzvgy0glB6OlOnrF0xdeW20st-RjKW9Y3kpD8mJIzCmLMqJuzD5sgFq-k6_LtJanGyIekqAKB6FNXqTvLgnWPgaxAXaLC3ZGLszhtnq-h5l9ehOLtUwIVxoeojqKi/w300-h400/mini+nativity+2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The nativity set mounted on the wooden stand. Still missing the date palm tree.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><p>This was another enjoyable clay sculpting experience and I thought it really turned out very cute. I'll need to get another miniature tree to go along with it for Christmas.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3eNgncN0ddj6QW3-zmJ1ghtfJw01CbDmx0eXX0yrAAIMhZrkRWK4EUxnhzQDWkIiBiWrZDEq5LKKb0X-o65EyLctvcqn6XcCUQQ4lCskjrjZ-VeKa3lpJR0Z3geSeE6-ptDW6-EDhwsG/s2048/mini+nativity+5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3eNgncN0ddj6QW3-zmJ1ghtfJw01CbDmx0eXX0yrAAIMhZrkRWK4EUxnhzQDWkIiBiWrZDEq5LKKb0X-o65EyLctvcqn6XcCUQQ4lCskjrjZ-VeKa3lpJR0Z3geSeE6-ptDW6-EDhwsG/s320/mini+nativity+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mini Nativity Scene viewed from the top.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JjOekfQnD1ONQpjbsRLd6PEaRvPmyST1vVFumONDZmssNYhYa3dUJRlak8LX57-ij1ifkF1D-ZEYGLr_6rhU07dvJFz452oB7L-UCQxbYSeZBTaXNST88u-eTN6mnexeVOoGnl856tau/s1793/mini+nativity+12+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1793" data-original-width="1793" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JjOekfQnD1ONQpjbsRLd6PEaRvPmyST1vVFumONDZmssNYhYa3dUJRlak8LX57-ij1ifkF1D-ZEYGLr_6rhU07dvJFz452oB7L-UCQxbYSeZBTaXNST88u-eTN6mnexeVOoGnl856tau/w113-h113/mini+nativity+12+%25282%2529.jpg" width="113" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My clay initial stamp is affixed on all my finished clay work.</div><br />Btw: I'm loving how sharp the photos are turning out with my new phone's camera.<p></p></div>jojo sabalvaro tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823593650174785959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043757208050201516.post-74805436100378535492021-04-08T21:15:00.011-05:002021-04-17T11:56:27.784-05:00Folk Art Sarimanok Tea Light Holder<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-wDvXEIsFZbockUk4hyTuprYCVIrkQlaR9qN7iVq51NJQFyPap5EYZc1PxyjInilG_pIDwEhJsVPYuOYqrArpqJpx4BITuGzJWYGSdbVm7P7x7qJ7AlXQGPjTR-bSMr2SUTDnT1gMW0C/s2048/sarimanokx2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1937" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-wDvXEIsFZbockUk4hyTuprYCVIrkQlaR9qN7iVq51NJQFyPap5EYZc1PxyjInilG_pIDwEhJsVPYuOYqrArpqJpx4BITuGzJWYGSdbVm7P7x7qJ7AlXQGPjTR-bSMr2SUTDnT1gMW0C/s320/sarimanokx2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Folk Art Sarimanok Tea Light Holder<br />Terracotta Clay<br />by jojo sabalvaro tan 2021</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /><span> </span>I have always been fascinated by the magical Sarimanok <i>{see footnote 1}</i> legend and mythology which originates from the Southern Mindanao region of the Philippines. This stylized mythical rooster, bedecked with bright polychrome crown, wings and tail feathers, is found depicted in brass or bronze and wood sculptures as well as in paintings and architecture. It is often shown with a fish caught in its talons or beak. The sarimanok, as art, gets its influence from the Filipino Muslim traditions which is similar to neighboring Islamic Southeast Asia countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia. <p></p><p><span> </span>For some reason, I have always been intrigued by the Sarimanok when I was growing up. I think it must have been from the stories told by Uncle Edro (no relation), who was brought into the family by my grandfather when he came back from a scouting trip in Mindanao. He was the family<i> katiwala, </i>a jack of all trades and runner, of sorts<i>. </i>Uncle Edro immersed us with stories about Mindanao which to us kids, especially having come from New York City, felt like a far-off magical and exotic land. He was also the only person I knew who actually went on a pilgrimage to Mecca. He was also an expert Filipino Christmas paper lantern maker. But that's a story for another day. When my parents went to Mindanao on vacation, they brought me a brass teapot adorned with a sarimanok figure. I wish I could show it to you here but unfortunately, the teapot is buried in one of our many still unopened boxes from our move. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJcCu4CfNAeNMnpueNYPP9DNifGR9U4phjEzQo26aB59DVe5_mSN3xs6PnW9BK7D5SxBtC4fgQeqe9GQzkOEh6bRYmEAtDog7lhAtqnts98QTR2VxJCqAAuPnKzm4aiTVGib_xxGOYcpm/s2048/sarimanokx5+%25282%2529.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJcCu4CfNAeNMnpueNYPP9DNifGR9U4phjEzQo26aB59DVe5_mSN3xs6PnW9BK7D5SxBtC4fgQeqe9GQzkOEh6bRYmEAtDog7lhAtqnts98QTR2VxJCqAAuPnKzm4aiTVGib_xxGOYcpm/s320/sarimanokx5+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span> </span>For this next clay project, I decided to make my own depiction of a sarimanok. I sculpted the bird using Das air drying terracotta clay since that is what I had in hand. I made an armature with ordinary kitchen foil for the body of the sarimanok and covered it with clay. After I was satisfied with the general shape, I smoothed the clay as best I can. I now realize I need a thicker layer of clay to ensure the sculpture is not lumpy. I am really still learning how to successfully work with clay with each and every project. The sarimanok's crown and tail feathers had to be attached before the clay dried. I also fashioned the fish. And then, I attached the bird to a conical terracotta base. Here it is shown still in the leather stage. I can still tweak and make adjustments and refinements at this point.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpJ_su1cjYSIhM_v_-AkUuQc_HgxNHAgDT-8JGkdCZ0_rdyWBkiusWIt_X9aZsXkaQ-0zeF-xN8BHed4bwcr28tb_wF7jjU4ovaS9jXLlzdORB8Eu53BvbSQ_wcbo76WlSCgpsd1P-FHB/s2048/sarimanokx6+%25282%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpJ_su1cjYSIhM_v_-AkUuQc_HgxNHAgDT-8JGkdCZ0_rdyWBkiusWIt_X9aZsXkaQ-0zeF-xN8BHed4bwcr28tb_wF7jjU4ovaS9jXLlzdORB8Eu53BvbSQ_wcbo76WlSCgpsd1P-FHB/s320/sarimanokx6+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span> </span>In the middle of working on this project, I decided I wanted this piece to be utilitarian as well as decorative so I made this sarimanok sculpture into a tea light holder. I quickly fashioned a clay tea light holder, waited for the cup to dry completely before attaching it on top of the bird. As you can see, the wet clay is still dark on the tea holder and the dry clay on the bird itself is lighter.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3EpYUC36u9Xm3cfel_g9O63r54rSDcQtycBL7NenNlC30cuWLKXs1GOwWZZZjmpj44Wo6bz_8xLfOYY-SUOo8plu0v2Tr3QSw36RpMmNZOmkSUhUnONq200d6wdEBRCwMqjQpRJ_JDCa/s2048/sarimanokx1+%25282%2529.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1718" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3EpYUC36u9Xm3cfel_g9O63r54rSDcQtycBL7NenNlC30cuWLKXs1GOwWZZZjmpj44Wo6bz_8xLfOYY-SUOo8plu0v2Tr3QSw36RpMmNZOmkSUhUnONq200d6wdEBRCwMqjQpRJ_JDCa/s320/sarimanokx1+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><span> </span>It took several days for everything to be completely dry since I kept the bird covered in plastic to slow down the drying process in order to avoid cracking and too much shrinkage since I was not sure how the clay will behave with an armature. Once the whole ensemble was completely dried, it was base coated with white acrylic paint. I really should have just started with white clay in the first place to save a step.<p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><p><span> </span>While the basecoat dried, I sketched out some design ideas for decorating the bird, I gravitated towards the Okir-style using colors of the Vinta, the traditional outrigger boats of Mindanao known for their colorful rectangular striped sails. Okir or Ukit in Tagalog <i>{see footnote 2}</i> is the rectilinear and curvilinear organic motif found in Mindanao and used to decorate all kinds of surfaces and wood carvings. Once the painting was completely dry, several layers of clear gloss varnish was applied for a glazed look. I did not apply any waterproof sealer since it would not really be immersed in water.</p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">This sarimanok is very folksy but, I hope it still pays homage to this Filipino cultural legend. The sarimanok is tied to the creation of the first man and woman (Malakas and Maganda)<i>{see footnote 3}</i> when he pecked open the bamboo from where they were born. They say the sarimanok brings good luck . I hope this one bring good fortune and happiness to all that see it.</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoCgUMS23Tw7P5fE0lBEMu-PCkEFpyxGfAVe23AgsdQPJDCQLv1wJT4j6dUO5r1Zq4O4i4zq6io9MsM3XIL4Lnams195GLVe1Qxpxe833EpbsU_-ngmzEWMALF9bq8epnoGDDXVmZVKHa/s2048/sarimanokx3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1930" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoCgUMS23Tw7P5fE0lBEMu-PCkEFpyxGfAVe23AgsdQPJDCQLv1wJT4j6dUO5r1Zq4O4i4zq6io9MsM3XIL4Lnams195GLVe1Qxpxe833EpbsU_-ngmzEWMALF9bq8epnoGDDXVmZVKHa/s320/sarimanokx3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b><u>FOOTNOTES</u></b><div><br /></div><div><i>1. For more about the sarimanok, please follow the link <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarimanok">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarimanok</a>.</i><p></p><i><br />2. For more about Okir please follow link <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okir">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okir</a>.</i><div><i><br /></i><div><i>3. For more details of the myth of Malakas and Maganda, please follow link <a href="http://www.bakitwhy.com/articles/ancient-philippine-creation-myth-malakas-and-maganda#:~:text=The%20names%20Malakas%20and%20Maganda%20also%20denote%20a,the%20family%20can%20depend%20on%20at%20all%20times.">Ancient Philippine Creation Myth: Malakas and Maganda </a></i><br /><div><br /></div><div><u><b>Note</b>:</u> <i>Some may recognize the backdrop I used for the backdrop of the Sarimanok. It is the Sablay used in lieu of traditional cap and toga at my alma mater, the University of the Philippines, to symbolize our nationalism. It has its roots and inspiration from our indigenous culture which include those in the island of Mindanao. I have made it part of my mission as an artist to promote the Philippine indigenous culture in my art</i>.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p><br style="text-align: left;" /></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;">.</span></span></p></div></div></div></div>jojo sabalvaro tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823593650174785959noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043757208050201516.post-12823432958627760992021-03-05T20:51:00.003-06:002021-03-06T21:58:47.393-06:00Tree of Life Clay Nativity Scene Project Votive Candleholder<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9AFM-wg89GA6ntbDqT2drm26dx73lCQb4LncM_wehfAdk8ZUGfTIrILbeUEdLW7bwiF7Jvxhz8j5Dns16q-w0dUPfzsjgswbUjkj1hWYsAXDN94kHF3j57amsHtXu5FxPyaNIwTwM_y9Z/s2048/treeoflifenativity6+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2040" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9AFM-wg89GA6ntbDqT2drm26dx73lCQb4LncM_wehfAdk8ZUGfTIrILbeUEdLW7bwiF7Jvxhz8j5Dns16q-w0dUPfzsjgswbUjkj1hWYsAXDN94kHF3j57amsHtXu5FxPyaNIwTwM_y9Z/w399-h400/treeoflifenativity6+%25282%2529.jpg" width="399" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Tree of Life Clay Nativity Votive Candleholder<br />by jojo sabalvaro tan 2021</i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p>This is my second clay sculpting project and I chose to do a nativity scene again. This time, my inspiration comes from the Mexican Tree of Life and my fondness for incorporating the indigenous people of the Philippines in my art. I liked the folksy look of the first clay project so I thought I would stick with that style. For this project, I used Das terracotta air-drying clay again. Since I started this nativity in the middle of working on the first one, I still struggled with working with clay. I noticed though that as I went along, I got a better feel of the clay. I began to know when to work with it and when to leave it alone. I also started getting comfortable with the tools I was using as well as how to appropriate stuff the around the house as molds or tools. By the time, I worked with the cow and pony (the last two figures I made), I can see that they are all around better than the other figures. In essence, practice really makes it better. </p><p>My inspiration came from watching the Holiday episode of the PBS Craft in America TV series. I saw Veronica Castillo from Pueblo, Mexico giving lessons on making a Tree of Life ceramic sculpture. Her family have crafted these <i>Arbor de la Vida</i> for centuries. She made it look easy, of course, since she had years of practice and experience. Senora Castillo's tree of life sculptures are so stunning in their beauty, artistry and detail. If I could make a Tree of Life or any clay project even 1/1000th as well as her. I would be ecstatic.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEeS1q9qZp9j93ttqUGdsWeM1kvL6JwZj7xnZAdsYyoT4LL3Nrj3H3eI7oprLyKBdGGVIM00vfGanh7TqwUhHE1u0xYPMO4ilee_axKDMwa8WeALG18CxJ8bAYx0SOQrnF2oDb0O8-cMg7/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEeS1q9qZp9j93ttqUGdsWeM1kvL6JwZj7xnZAdsYyoT4LL3Nrj3H3eI7oprLyKBdGGVIM00vfGanh7TqwUhHE1u0xYPMO4ilee_axKDMwa8WeALG18CxJ8bAYx0SOQrnF2oDb0O8-cMg7/" width="160" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/37/f4/45/37f445bf1b2aa3d15bf62275c3c61e29.jpg">Tree of Life by Veronica Castillo</a></u></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #0000ee; font-size: x-small;">Note: This photo is from Pinterest. I could not find who to attribute it to, possibly from the PBS Craft in America TV series.</span></div><br /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">I realize it takes a lot of training, practice and tradition to produce the caliber of the piece above but it did not stop me from trying. I just hope I can turn out something I like. Every time I work on a craft or art project, I try to dedicate as much time, effort, thought and love into it. Most of the time in my creative timeline, the thinking process takes about 90% of the time. Even with all that time spent conceptualizing and planning, things can still go wrong. And then, I just try again. And again, if necessary. I believe most craftsmen, artists or creative people does the same. No effort is for naught... chuck up the bumps to experience and move on. </p><p style="text-align: left;">The ceramic Tree of Life sculpture can trace it origins to Mexico as far back to the 1800 to 1300 BC. I could not resist adding a Filipino heritage twist to it by fashioning the nativity figures into Igorots, one of the still active indigenous groups in the Northern Luzon Island in the Philippines. This is a popular tradition in many countries where figures in Christmas nativity scenes are depicted as natives in the traditional attire of the country where it is made. Here, Joseph is wearing a <i>bahag</i> or loin cloth, as customary for Igorot men. The Baby Jesus is swaddled in an Igorot woven blanket referred to as inabel in the Ilocano dialect.</p><div class="separator" dir="rtl" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDivSlMgmle_ljk5tHuKsZc9v9uUw1DsKlxDmXLSCc_aZK9xuL6lcyBbadPEg7vIidO9Cd8QLAPkTikNaXVgvucPi6-zlTv3fnb4HFuAU49pHG1hy3keb02JDO1rxLW8qFt1Z_x7JDsiSB/s2048/treeoflifenativity2+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1851" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDivSlMgmle_ljk5tHuKsZc9v9uUw1DsKlxDmXLSCc_aZK9xuL6lcyBbadPEg7vIidO9Cd8QLAPkTikNaXVgvucPi6-zlTv3fnb4HFuAU49pHG1hy3keb02JDO1rxLW8qFt1Z_x7JDsiSB/s320/treeoflifenativity2+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a>The unpainted terracotta tree of life candleholder with some of the nativity figures already painted. The tree branches are very organic looking as opposed to the symmetrical design of the Mexican versions.</span></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">.</div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjiTMi280KdbaOsiSmuLyIFCm7Iss7xsPT5K6OkqH-FaHCo2BX38miz8Nn64IVcTmTYEQH35x2TVHt_wfSDrQcrdULSIk0_6Yqy-i3z2CxHcYwjOZHNJEgfeAQdJ8u_uGZnM9cM4pFlUP/s2048/treeoflifenativity1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjiTMi280KdbaOsiSmuLyIFCm7Iss7xsPT5K6OkqH-FaHCo2BX38miz8Nn64IVcTmTYEQH35x2TVHt_wfSDrQcrdULSIk0_6Yqy-i3z2CxHcYwjOZHNJEgfeAQdJ8u_uGZnM9cM4pFlUP/w320-h240/treeoflifenativity1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The components of the nacimiento (nativity scene) were left to completely air-dry on the rack for a couple of days. The tree itself took about a week. For quicker drying, I decided to carefully hollow-out the base of some of the figures while the clay was in the leather stage. Once completely dry, I painted each figure and the tree with acrylic paint and then sealed each item with Mod Podge to prevent them from turning back to clay if they get wet.</div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZQU6wEZlNritLsmeXeC07RHG1olsBsUQJX-iFRd40TYoRYUQ3kfslFEE8vPcWJkhsm-oyUcgkcqxAtKjnjo_SxtUf2ZU9b8vjpnPVwcUskfklA8H4KL9t6ykc9kx2foAc7UWuK-WZUyD/s2048/treeoflifenativity3+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZQU6wEZlNritLsmeXeC07RHG1olsBsUQJX-iFRd40TYoRYUQ3kfslFEE8vPcWJkhsm-oyUcgkcqxAtKjnjo_SxtUf2ZU9b8vjpnPVwcUskfklA8H4KL9t6ykc9kx2foAc7UWuK-WZUyD/s2048/treeoflifenativity3+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1825" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZQU6wEZlNritLsmeXeC07RHG1olsBsUQJX-iFRd40TYoRYUQ3kfslFEE8vPcWJkhsm-oyUcgkcqxAtKjnjo_SxtUf2ZU9b8vjpnPVwcUskfklA8H4KL9t6ykc9kx2foAc7UWuK-WZUyD/w285-h320/treeoflifenativity3+%25282%2529.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">Raw terracotta figures of the horse and carabao. <span>Instead of the donkey and cow, I made a native horse and carabao (water </span><span>buffalo) since they are the typical animals in the Philippines. Observe how much smoother finer my workmanship is with the animals. I attribute it to practice and learning how to control the clay.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqtDvDNn5BsdfiVzuLRLRVQjbQiKHrCKLldoQXyWScmC1dldrwg8DEMDicFGi583iicCO3y8pSy2nKDiYabZtn5MTgdWKk5fmGcP_IszjXSL1saF_cxe2_lPU5uzquW-JdQ_lGT7vtorV/s2048/treeoflifenativity7+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqtDvDNn5BsdfiVzuLRLRVQjbQiKHrCKLldoQXyWScmC1dldrwg8DEMDicFGi583iicCO3y8pSy2nKDiYabZtn5MTgdWKk5fmGcP_IszjXSL1saF_cxe2_lPU5uzquW-JdQ_lGT7vtorV/w150-h200/treeoflifenativity7+%25282%2529.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The carabao, painted and sealed. Notice the addition of the clay Ifugao woven cloth (inabel) on its back. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowig2qXTT8HyNyqJjoMWDP9kEobi3q8r3VUjvWvauGOD_Cg5faXdjJUKxCTbkT-qW-T_aEQBYZJGfjbVQENUAiGGQW0aA7e9idCNvEKfFCR6gZ_JWF4qQeLYuUE-3bgkbgaS4r5SlaBrg/s2048/treeoflifenativity5+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowig2qXTT8HyNyqJjoMWDP9kEobi3q8r3VUjvWvauGOD_Cg5faXdjJUKxCTbkT-qW-T_aEQBYZJGfjbVQENUAiGGQW0aA7e9idCNvEKfFCR6gZ_JWF4qQeLYuUE-3bgkbgaS4r5SlaBrg/s2048/treeoflifenativity5+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1616" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowig2qXTT8HyNyqJjoMWDP9kEobi3q8r3VUjvWvauGOD_Cg5faXdjJUKxCTbkT-qW-T_aEQBYZJGfjbVQENUAiGGQW0aA7e9idCNvEKfFCR6gZ_JWF4qQeLYuUE-3bgkbgaS4r5SlaBrg/s320/treeoflifenativity5+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Showing all the components (leaves, flowers, angel, Holy Family, the trough, bird, carabao and horse) that were attached to the Tree of Life using Gorilla super glue. Once all the pieces were well-adhered, they were sprayed with non-yellowing Krylon varnish which gave the piece a porcelain look. I will keep this piece as well as the first clay nativity I made in order to measure my progress with working on future clay projects . This set took longer to make since it was more complicated due to the engineering of the tree of life candleholder. I'm sure there are many more clay projects to follow.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><br /></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><u>Some Musings:</u><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Working with clay brings out the one's primordial nature since you craft with your hands using three of the most important life-sustaining natural elements - earth, water and air. One can't help but leave an imprint on the piece they are working on since it is literally captured in the clay with your every touch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRPLBVVFM0-F_WooAB56F0q_hScChnmbD-kl63akTMpgxHAlkotZXRj9C-yCHQ5w6_cwSGenROgb5OwXVRvyT2SiAZLahb0kZ-G1b6nKnc2y2NIR1dATMOSATpu-_OxZkAnpwYQhle6hm/s2048/treeoflifenativity4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1721" data-original-width="2048" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRPLBVVFM0-F_WooAB56F0q_hScChnmbD-kl63akTMpgxHAlkotZXRj9C-yCHQ5w6_cwSGenROgb5OwXVRvyT2SiAZLahb0kZ-G1b6nKnc2y2NIR1dATMOSATpu-_OxZkAnpwYQhle6hm/w320-h269/treeoflifenativity4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Done! And I like it (although my husband prefers the first clay project😏).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I ordered more clay. Watch out for more.</div>jojo sabalvaro tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823593650174785959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043757208050201516.post-69482288008918192082021-02-28T22:50:00.003-06:002021-03-06T18:42:45.791-06:00Folk Art Clay Nativity Set<p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtWq70c0Z2y_Pe0ei6q1hwNri87osBDQltnfhhQB9eViXMGUjDW5QO7TMOLEDgOs6SXVvACqn0ker29duVb3fOdA9qhkCprpXQx7P3RlzBuojQIOEOxpsStP39RZKxvi-N22tzbxmxwQn/s2048/clay3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="2048" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtWq70c0Z2y_Pe0ei6q1hwNri87osBDQltnfhhQB9eViXMGUjDW5QO7TMOLEDgOs6SXVvACqn0ker29duVb3fOdA9qhkCprpXQx7P3RlzBuojQIOEOxpsStP39RZKxvi-N22tzbxmxwQn/w400-h228/clay3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The completed nativity scene sculpted in clay and painted in a folk art style. Waiting for a creche.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p>After seeing the nativity scenes hand-carved in wood by the Peruvian artisans, I was inspired to try to make a set in clay. It will be a challenge because the first time I made anything in clay is from ground dirt mixed with water when I was a young child. Then, when I was older, I helped my nieces and nephew make items out of Play Dough. Years ago, I took ceramics classes where we painted and glazed ready-made items that were pre-molded. This would be the first time I will actually be sculpting and shaping something out of clay since the time I was a child playing with mud.</p><p>For this project, I chose to work with air-dry clay since I did not have access to a kiln. There are many brands available and they are usually available in white, gray and terracotta. Since I'm going for a primitive artisan feel, I thought terracotta clay was the best choice. The brand I used was Das (made in Italy) which comes in 2.2lb. block (available at Amazon and Hobby Lobby). The air-dry clay should be kept in an air-tight container while not in use or they will eventually harden.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaasA6ow1uVIG7Tz59eg3bJdIdXKTrUfrYaH5vr3zxr_vbRsrZbXTVmTUiOY3DA2ntz1QK6JV-7T3iQSmTJpKtVm8hbH0Zv06EmAfkVeqhfj_XRjH0LwnZX6HcdnWQ7SU_fNLiNLJS8GD/s2048/clay12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaasA6ow1uVIG7Tz59eg3bJdIdXKTrUfrYaH5vr3zxr_vbRsrZbXTVmTUiOY3DA2ntz1QK6JV-7T3iQSmTJpKtVm8hbH0Zv06EmAfkVeqhfj_XRjH0LwnZX6HcdnWQ7SU_fNLiNLJS8GD/w150-h200/clay12.jpg" width="150" /></a></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKCjcAQ3k4VMIrt4r2BugtD7lvvt9cn4Vo3EyD17K0YYm0IgP5TMEbGoItvyBqS3Gv0LeGsThOjRKJCRgpMLN39sUY5GKDrRNk8C6Esi0SV75Xzho3sqkym8jBasatI86M5iMB1biLz-S/s2048/clay14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1415" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKCjcAQ3k4VMIrt4r2BugtD7lvvt9cn4Vo3EyD17K0YYm0IgP5TMEbGoItvyBqS3Gv0LeGsThOjRKJCRgpMLN39sUY5GKDrRNk8C6Esi0SV75Xzho3sqkym8jBasatI86M5iMB1biLz-S/w138-h200/clay14.jpg" width="138" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSF8gvwipc32ytnrjjJUtTKLai5ymVJXlAUsvEHrTazp1NpreBPDKf9WLd6BqWdty8vM55e4UBNSFJYZ8CeN8sDANTAcqoX7IMB2q0OuloBIoUG_49Zq8A8Zt81MqoXY5gQwROSeow9THj/s2048/clay11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1397" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSF8gvwipc32ytnrjjJUtTKLai5ymVJXlAUsvEHrTazp1NpreBPDKf9WLd6BqWdty8vM55e4UBNSFJYZ8CeN8sDANTAcqoX7IMB2q0OuloBIoUG_49Zq8A8Zt81MqoXY5gQwROSeow9THj/w136-h200/clay11.jpg" width="136" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The figures of the Holy Family in the original terracotta clay roughly sculptured.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>I wanted my figures to be about 3 1/2" tall and about 3/4" thick. I took a chunk of clay from the block in the approximate size of the figures and kneaded it so it will soften a bit and become more malleable. The first figure I did was the Virgin Mary. after, I was quasi satisfied with the Mary, I set aside pieces of clay weighing the same as the Mary figure for St. Joseph, the three Kings and the angel. This way I can be assured that they will end up relatively the same size. I shaped the accents separately such as the halo, crowns, gifts, wings and attached them while the clay was still leather-soft. When attaching two pieces of clay together make sure to score and wet both pieces to ensure adhesion, then smooth the joint. Adding a bit of wet clay helps, too. I kept the shaped figures in resealable bags to prevent them from hardening quickly, this allowed me to make corrections and reshape some of the figures later. I suggest you do the same until all the figures are done. You can actually work on the figures until the leather-feel stage. I was not really fuzzy about getting the figures perfect because I wanted a rough, primitive and handwrought product. The figures were placed in a rack to completely dry. ,</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCjZG1JAZQwsJu8vXfgB6T93r79SykoJavv6ykXzRB2fWPbAlSkOWZG5AjMUrrVFQl27I6sJH2_TDw60tFFk-LgHZc_kU2Rb8qcEj6hk5yQgus4CmPxg3oSsPHnX0kihMPePi6YNvWNei/s2048/clay7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCjZG1JAZQwsJu8vXfgB6T93r79SykoJavv6ykXzRB2fWPbAlSkOWZG5AjMUrrVFQl27I6sJH2_TDw60tFFk-LgHZc_kU2Rb8qcEj6hk5yQgus4CmPxg3oSsPHnX0kihMPePi6YNvWNei/s320/clay7.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The nativity set terracotta figures (The Holy Family, a manger, the three Kings, an angel, cow and donkey) air drying on the rack</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I really liked the feel and color of terracotta clay and intended for this set to be left in its natural color. Since I was using air-dry clay, there is a big possibility of the figures getting ruined if they get wet. It was suggested to seal them with Mod Podge so they can be somehow waterproof. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZYVUmEmjTar4_04duisPu8WqfmECugvzrZjmqk9WUWe7y74hMUIO9e5UV0eSx8Xmi8MoyjBjJ512zcSfivT3jZiHLURmOI8PWwlj2ZCBY5akDUJ60CHvdWLOtwx5tlPYbjNuq-m4K7aU/s2048/clay8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1730" data-original-width="2048" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZYVUmEmjTar4_04duisPu8WqfmECugvzrZjmqk9WUWe7y74hMUIO9e5UV0eSx8Xmi8MoyjBjJ512zcSfivT3jZiHLURmOI8PWwlj2ZCBY5akDUJ60CHvdWLOtwx5tlPYbjNuq-m4K7aU/w200-h169/clay8.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBJgeUjUkh_welq9bdn0ikTWOALcQcItnLG-ZO5qQc-pu0szC3FF_PtagG24yRGxsB8MWA-SJqS-8OZi_hVKlDqymiS6-ILL8JCLFzE4effciTtNUar6TW0J8kcs4CrlcUcG8rbrzOyq1/s2048/clay9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="2048" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBJgeUjUkh_welq9bdn0ikTWOALcQcItnLG-ZO5qQc-pu0szC3FF_PtagG24yRGxsB8MWA-SJqS-8OZi_hVKlDqymiS6-ILL8JCLFzE4effciTtNUar6TW0J8kcs4CrlcUcG8rbrzOyq1/w200-h179/clay9.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The figures looked 'plasticky' after they were sealed</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="text-align: left;">Unfortunately, with the sealer, they lost much of the roughness and had a very 'plasticky' feel which made me decide to paint them. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">I chose a folk arts the theme with earthy and bright colors as my painted motif. Friends have commented, they are reminded by painted Russian </span><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Matryoshka</span><span style="text-align: left;"> dolls or Mexican art. I used acrylics and they worked great. Now I need a creche or retablo to display this nativity scene.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxOacAzJ9XUJ9h4W7mYx42gOv4tmohuyjchMc9ByuJMZJCEYH9OSajyYq49zbRQRCMdPfYnPRTtvkrEQyRNqPOxzCNB9puBlYCzkuPqxC6llMfOAkDQIRp3ybk-cfUSv-NrxaRppXKKYq/s2048/clay4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxOacAzJ9XUJ9h4W7mYx42gOv4tmohuyjchMc9ByuJMZJCEYH9OSajyYq49zbRQRCMdPfYnPRTtvkrEQyRNqPOxzCNB9puBlYCzkuPqxC6llMfOAkDQIRp3ybk-cfUSv-NrxaRppXKKYq/w150-h200/clay4.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xCg7RI15e17tW7uJ7F9HxAwwWjrjKyrC1StPLGYf0E9U9QPIgik7rGsrXCKeF7fQQyxnBqDZxaJY4-0y6OyB-jN1SsaH0CzULc75SkKuYiLy7B9fN8c7bJARW7f5qITwJ-GC-utTfDRq/s2048/clay5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1941" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xCg7RI15e17tW7uJ7F9HxAwwWjrjKyrC1StPLGYf0E9U9QPIgik7rGsrXCKeF7fQQyxnBqDZxaJY4-0y6OyB-jN1SsaH0CzULc75SkKuYiLy7B9fN8c7bJARW7f5qITwJ-GC-utTfDRq/w189-h200/clay5.jpg" width="189" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div></div><p></p><p>Somehow, working with clay makes me feel that part of my soul is imparted into the finished product. After all, it is one of the oldest materials wrought by human hands and turned into utilitarian and art objects. For someone who had no idea of what I was doing when I started I, honestly, think I did a very passable job. I need more practice for sure. I am so enamored with working with clay that I started a new project even before I completed this one. Besides while the muse is still there, you have to take advantage of the couple of days drying time and keep creating,,,, or you can do some housework. Guess what my choice was.</p><p><br /></p><p>Since this is made with air dry clay, i do not recommend that the figures be displayed outdoors or placed in a dishwasher where they can get wet, even if they were sealed. They are breakable and should be treated with care just like any ceramic piece.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirMBUWnZ0FV1j30t-vMjGGqQFRMiSN-Psvaawn7u4JVdzA_vZnbZuzawVt4QijB9OmF8TpXaRH4d6gEuWdI1gAK_Ker1JrBGad-Hmabj6kU5EYJzAJc5WJDd17gmXAK8POIIsVvEQIQbi/s2048/clay+1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirMBUWnZ0FV1j30t-vMjGGqQFRMiSN-Psvaawn7u4JVdzA_vZnbZuzawVt4QijB9OmF8TpXaRH4d6gEuWdI1gAK_Ker1JrBGad-Hmabj6kU5EYJzAJc5WJDd17gmXAK8POIIsVvEQIQbi/s320/clay+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Folk Art Clay Nativity Set<br />Hand-sculpted and painted by jojo sabalvaro tan<br />February 2021</td></tr></tbody></table></div>jojo sabalvaro tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823593650174785959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043757208050201516.post-26957667654138681702021-01-31T12:57:00.007-06:002021-04-17T13:58:22.994-05:00Back to Art School with Paul Gauguin<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEqbOK7IMx4iLae-RDpHNLkI3zixDJOO_twPpX_IlOS8UwO5Vpba_5kRJTHsZWAmHGFgASs6oeq_jYN8TkjuhmFILsmGXm-rUWUKfZQLF2yFTbcdfZEe6KB8DZX1ujMpm7IgJ_k_AGfAE/s2048/jojo+gauguin.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1590" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEqbOK7IMx4iLae-RDpHNLkI3zixDJOO_twPpX_IlOS8UwO5Vpba_5kRJTHsZWAmHGFgASs6oeq_jYN8TkjuhmFILsmGXm-rUWUKfZQLF2yFTbcdfZEe6KB8DZX1ujMpm7IgJ_k_AGfAE/w496-h640/jojo+gauguin.jpg" width="496" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">E faa ipoipo anei oe iau? Will you marry me? 2021<br />after Paul Gauguin's Nafea Faaipoipo (When are You Getting Married?), 1892<br /></i>8" x 10" Watercolor plus various media on watercolor paper<br />by jojo sabalvaro tan</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>For my first painting project in 2021, I decided to study old masters' paintings techniques and colors and copy their work in order to hone my painting skills just as we did in art school. I was also inspired by my college friend, Willie, whose prolific works of art include his own creations and outstanding replicas of paintings by the masters such as Picasso and Cezanne. I chose to copy one of Paul Gauguin's paintings for this project. Gauguin is one of my favorite painters. I love his paintings, in particular, those that capture the Polynesian landscape and people. I browsed his many works in search of inspiration.. I ended up selecting two paintings that he did during his self-imposed exile to Tahiti. The theme I was going for was love and marriage (in honor of our 50th anniversary) and travel to far-off lands (which we miss due to the pandemic situation). My husband also bought me a whole slew of art supplies as an advance birthday present that I wanted to experiment with and use on this project. So on this painting, I used watercolors, acrylics, gouache, Tombow and Pentel paintbrush pens, Winsor Newton markers, watercolor pencils and a variety of pens. I was like a kid in a candy shop! In a way, it is a mixed media painting. I realize I can never be at Master Willie's caliber at reproducing the great masters' work but I hope this one is passable.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These are the two Gauguin paintings I combined into my artwork pictured above.</div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PeCui7dh6mnmEaoqEiJNUu8PZ0v31AMgO2kl6Gd9ih1yaJyIQgDRcmDvJh3GHVO-dOMUEHwYkhUXvgNon0YQ5BUUqyZu5nke04wATVVKJIcx58N7wx_DZz5UBbbIlISKNVs8MeOD1gZo/s900/te-vaa-the-canoe-paul-gauguin.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PeCui7dh6mnmEaoqEiJNUu8PZ0v31AMgO2kl6Gd9ih1yaJyIQgDRcmDvJh3GHVO-dOMUEHwYkhUXvgNon0YQ5BUUqyZu5nke04wATVVKJIcx58N7wx_DZz5UBbbIlISKNVs8MeOD1gZo/s320/te-vaa-the-canoe-paul-gauguin.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul Gauguin's <b><i> Te-vaa</i></b><i> <b>(The Canoe)</b></i>1896 <br />(Hermitage Museum Collection)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7zqxPbFddRGwEWFzCOiyvSMYiGyxGdvaNyxA9D4HXBG7qdDuHquS1Reu-ISh2I7gdBJ4C1LW4Z9pBFGjU72hU_FaRRVWxYsheheW97lRoAeGqVvsYzCp-L14VjmyRE5_x1hYFeSMPViV/s2048/Paul_Gauguin%252C_Nafea_Faa_Ipoipo__1892%252C_oil_on_canvas%252C_101_x_77_cm.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1544" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7zqxPbFddRGwEWFzCOiyvSMYiGyxGdvaNyxA9D4HXBG7qdDuHquS1Reu-ISh2I7gdBJ4C1LW4Z9pBFGjU72hU_FaRRVWxYsheheW97lRoAeGqVvsYzCp-L14VjmyRE5_x1hYFeSMPViV/s320/Paul_Gauguin%252C_Nafea_Faa_Ipoipo__1892%252C_oil_on_canvas%252C_101_x_77_cm.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul Gauguin's <b><i> Nafea faa ipoipo (When will you Marry?)</i></b>1892 <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Info on Paul Gauguin is available all over the internet. There are also many books written about him. His life is very interesting, particularly his contentious friendship with Vincent Van Gogh and life in Tahiti.</div><br /><br /><p></p>jojo sabalvaro tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823593650174785959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043757208050201516.post-54177245625013830042020-11-29T23:16:00.107-06:002020-12-03T23:28:00.193-06:002020 Christmas Card<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPUiU3jYJhK5OWc5HjKJrMGrXp7UN0hDo7q245V45R9WDcBomWpEvpOAuQBQlshJbdsv7A0PE2rCr7-_un_Jbhji79CBJIucmvniyW7GHtSXRfDyZnsGOvOoDNQCJYpP9r4mg_dOQp_so/s2048/Christmas+Card+2020.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1675" data-original-width="2048" height="525" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPUiU3jYJhK5OWc5HjKJrMGrXp7UN0hDo7q245V45R9WDcBomWpEvpOAuQBQlshJbdsv7A0PE2rCr7-_un_Jbhji79CBJIucmvniyW7GHtSXRfDyZnsGOvOoDNQCJYpP9r4mg_dOQp_so/w640-h525/Christmas+Card+2020.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>2020 Christmas Card<br />Tala ng Hiwaga (Star of Wonder)<br />Watercolor by jojo sabalvaro tan</i><br /></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Our 2020 Christmas cards have been stuffed in envelopes, sealed, stamped and mailed early enough to beat the Christmas rush. We normally mail at least 150 cards a year, so getting them out is a full blown production that can take months - creating concepts for the image, then executing the paintings, having the cards printed, addressed and mailed. Our hope is that the cards are received in time for Christmas, even those going to other countries. We faithfully send cards to let our friends and family know that even though we are not in constant touch throughout the year they are always in our thoughts and prayers. In this cyberspace time, I believe that receiving a physical card just makes the recipient(s) feel much more special. It's one of those Christmas traditions that is disappearing. Many years ago, I decided to use my own painting for our Christmas cards. My favorite subject to paint is the Mother and Child or Madonna and Child so I chose that subject for our cards. Of course, it is so appropriate for the season. I usually don't post the Christmas card image until after Christmas so those receiving them will see it in person when they receive their cards and not on the blog first. Last year, I posted the Christmas card blog early because I was so delayed in creating a painting for the card and I knew there was a high chance of the cards not being received by Christmas. This year, we were able to mail the cards early enough, but I think I'll just go ahead and post my painting before Christmas. If you have any opinion on whether or not I should post it before or after Christmas, please let me know.<p></p><p>This my new favorite Mother and Child Christmas card painting. Unlike many years before, when I paint several mother and child paintings to choose from, I only did one this year. It is not what one may say traditional but, I love it's modern yet ethnic feel. It is influenced by the Philippines' Southern Mindanao indigenous people but also with a strong lean to the art of Bali The depiction of baby Jesus is modeled after the newest member of our family, our grandnephew, Ronin Benjamin. The title of the painting, <b><i>Tala ng Hiwaga</i></b>, is derived from the star motif in the painting and is inspired by the Christmas song, We, Three Kings....."O, star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright..." (<i>Thanks Ana B, for working with me on the title of the painting</i>.)</p><p>It seems the paintings I did in 2020 tended to be more upbeat and vibrant. I think, it was my unconscious rebellion against all the direness we are encountering this year from COVID 19 and the political situation. Christmas this year will be unlike any that we have celebrated before. Families who gather from all over the country and the world to be together celebrating the spirit of Christmas won't be able to do so due to the pandemic. Many will resort to video conferencing but it is not the same. There is a threat that church services may be cancelled or limited in participation.</p><p>Something new this year - I had mugs, T-shirts and tote bags, printed with this year's Christmas image. I also had mugs made of some of the prior year's Christmas card images. I love how they turned out. I should have thought of this before. I plan to have them as keepsakes as well as give them as gifts. I have slated a few of them as a door prizes for the Simbang Gabi (Night Mass), a nine day series of evening masses leading up to Christmas practiced by Filipinos in the Philippines and abroad. The money raised is for the emergency needs of our brethren in the Philippines (such us in the case of a natural disaster or pandemic) and the preservation of Filipino culture and traditions. Here in the US, it is commonly followed by a gathering where Filipino food and delicacies are served to mimic the memories of Christmas season in the Philippines, including music and dance. Below are samples of the mugs and bag. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Aui-npFr79w6bCi_yjl6hROOEbpc9CbcYuNSGOQaXaGICmalClqsdEW0QuFfMFCJaIYn_liHekS1OurLk0dFPoNaWk3pteHKd824rGisbm9hlaUqnvVqHkfK6QVzO6JBLHq81ymfKZnH/s2048/photoMixer+%25283%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Aui-npFr79w6bCi_yjl6hROOEbpc9CbcYuNSGOQaXaGICmalClqsdEW0QuFfMFCJaIYn_liHekS1OurLk0dFPoNaWk3pteHKd824rGisbm9hlaUqnvVqHkfK6QVzO6JBLHq81ymfKZnH/w400-h400/photoMixer+%25283%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">As we celebrate Christmas and our Golden Anniversary this December with all of you in spirit, w</span><span style="text-align: left;">e are filled with humility and gratitude for of all of God's blessings bestowed on us and those around us.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">God is Good</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">God is Great</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">and we thank Him for His Grace and Love.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span>Our fervent wish for peace, love, joy and God's grace to envelope you
and your family this </span><span>Christmas</span><span> season and throughout 2021.</span></span></span></i><b><i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p></h4><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>jojo sabalvaro tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823593650174785959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043757208050201516.post-41335720827937558962020-10-28T02:42:00.014-05:002021-02-08T23:04:44.806-06:00Writing a New Book - Passport to Global Cuisine<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdG2T_k75m4ieA0LgbQ23TKA8ALH4-jkhYccCd3oPPoCLHwkICm2b0R2ENmqQP9qualAGMavYa0fvxKave0vYQvTcx0RlmEb4sWG9UBslulW_QURVB9xVQXQshr3808v5lEVMv88T60KEh/s1283/Screenshot+%252816%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1283" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdG2T_k75m4ieA0LgbQ23TKA8ALH4-jkhYccCd3oPPoCLHwkICm2b0R2ENmqQP9qualAGMavYa0fvxKave0vYQvTcx0RlmEb4sWG9UBslulW_QURVB9xVQXQshr3808v5lEVMv88T60KEh/s320/Screenshot+%252816%2529.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Book Cover</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Passport-Global-Cuisine-Exploring-Watercolor/dp/B08LNG9YNY/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&qid=1603868592&refinements=p_27%3ATan&s=books&sr=1-1">Passport to Global Cuisine</a> - Exploring the World's Kitchen with a Watercolor Journal</b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Written and Illustrated by jojo sabalvaro tan</div><div style="text-align: center;">Published October 2020</div><p><br /></p><p>I am so excited. I released a new book a few days ago and it is currently available at Amazon.com. In a few weeks, it will be available at select bookstores and Amazon outlets in other countries. I am told that it is already available at Amazon Australia. The book's full title is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Passport-Global-Cuisine-Exploring-Watercolor/dp/B08LNG9YNY/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&qid=1603868592&refinements=p_27%3ATan&s=books&sr=1-1">Passport to Global Cuisine </a>- Exploring the World's Kitchen with a Watercolor Journal. Click on the link (any book title highlighted in blue) to visit the book on Amazon.com. It features my sketches of dishes my husband and I enjoyed in different countries, accompanied by stories of the experiences and recipes. We just had to bring the memory of these dishes home with us through cooking them in our kitchen. The book highlights our particular favorites from 42 countries. I think readers will enjoy the stories as well as preparing the recipes of dishes and drinks in the book. Most of the illustrations were torn out of my travel journal where, with watercolor sketches, I capture the places we visit , the food we eat and people we observed or met during our travels. These sketches and the recipes are among the best souvenirs we have from our trips. Food is one of those things that uniquely keeps our memories triggered with the use of all the five senses.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OOIKY8BglhLTeXR2uQNrpVKpn5eG9vVP1GVXGIT3q05GnVwJvrY9y3fd_7mMYugwQBJHWtEj2jSLW5rZziFBb6esbrUZqp0iWmm33Iy61vtraH6bocdtaLMrYEK32UTNmmrqo9abtQPI/s2048/cb+new+zealand+page.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1374" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OOIKY8BglhLTeXR2uQNrpVKpn5eG9vVP1GVXGIT3q05GnVwJvrY9y3fd_7mMYugwQBJHWtEj2jSLW5rZziFBb6esbrUZqp0iWmm33Iy61vtraH6bocdtaLMrYEK32UTNmmrqo9abtQPI/s320/cb+new+zealand+page.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_M-WU_GCOLQoBaWhut9Zv93-W0Nt7s3RWV01WIFFvuKRrhx7zrMqW34wXTvx0isH5ts7vk6jMDl-ycm7y4AnZaEDo1GHWqhDD2YK23wBCS0IeY9MoBfmygqIwFq42jY_6pRQLxGgnFDs/s2048/cb+barbados+page.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1318" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_M-WU_GCOLQoBaWhut9Zv93-W0Nt7s3RWV01WIFFvuKRrhx7zrMqW34wXTvx0isH5ts7vk6jMDl-ycm7y4AnZaEDo1GHWqhDD2YK23wBCS0IeY9MoBfmygqIwFq42jY_6pRQLxGgnFDs/s320/cb+barbados+page.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A couple of inside pages from the book</div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Because it is a cookbook, it was more difficult to write than my first book of the Passport series, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Passport-Creativity-Exploring-Watercolor-Journal/dp/1502992302">Passport to Creativity - Exploring the World with a Watercolor Journal</a>. A certain attention to detail and precision had to be met when putting together the recipes adapted from those provided by family and friends or people we met on journeys in order to match the taste I remembered from first tasting the dish or drink.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I tried to do this book on my own. I started with an outline, collected all the food sketches from our travels and sketched new ones, wrote all the narratives and designed the layout. After completion of my 'better than' rough draft, I realized I needed help fine-tuning the manuscript. I was advised by other writer friends not to do the edits myself. I learned that also from the first two books. As the author, one has the tendency to read the words as you thought you wrote it and tend to not see obvious grammatical and spelling errors. I enlisted my long-time friend and classmate Edith in SF to help me with edits. Towards the end of the process, my cousin Boots in NYC volunteered to help with the formatting and layout. I already had a layout set-up but it needed tweaking in order for it to be print ready. My cousin, Bong in LA, also volunteered for final edits. In the end, we can no longer count how many final versions we had of the draft, only to have to do another final-final and then still more. It turned into a coast-to-coast project. The final push, when we were at the final to the nth power, seemed interminable. One of the turning points was the submission of the draft to the publisher to test if it meets their formatting requirements. Although it still resulted in even more final-final drafts, I began to see it as a book and no longer a draft. There was a lot of hair-pulling. I can attest that I have a lot less hair than I did at the start of the project. But we did have a lot of fun and our familial bonds were reaffirmed. I do not know what I would have done without my cousins' and Edith's help.</div><p>Finally, the draft passed the printer's review and it is ready for publication. All in all, the grunt work, from the first word of the outline written on paper to the day it was first offered for sale, took about 6 months. Developing the concept of the book in my head took longer.</p><p>I was surprised at the difference in printing cost between my last two books and this book. It is easily 50% more. I do understand how the increase in paper and ink prices have driven the costs higher. Another factor driving the higher price is the number of books that need to be printed. The more books printed at a time, the lower the price. Since I don't plan to do any book tours or book signing at any time soon due to the Corona virus, I am not counting on blockbuster sales; hence the limited print run. I wish I could find a direct printer who could print the book for less. For the first Passport book, I tried a couple of printers in the Philippines and they were charging me more than it's list price and the paper is of a lesser quality.</p><p>I have given my royalties from my previous books to worthwhile causes and charities I support. Between the costs to print and the bookseller's commission, I'll be lucky to be able to donate a dollar per book this time. But, it is still something. Every little thing helps.</p><p>Nevertheless, I had a great and enjoyable time working on the book. in spite of many sleepless nights. What started as something to do during the COVID19 lockdown, resulted in a book that I am happy with and proud of. I am thankful to God for the opportunity to complete another book. Of course, I am also thankful to my husband, Kuya Ruds, for supporting me during this process. </p><p>I always believed, after I published my first two books, that I still have another book or two in me. So now, I have a third one under my belt. I already have some ideas for a new book and my cousins,vis-a- vis volunteers, are raring to go. </p><p>My take-aways from writing this book:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>If you put your mind, heart and soul into an idea, you increase the chances of it leading to the fulfillment of your dreams or vision.</li><li>Don't be shy about asking for help. People are always willing to lend a hand, if they can.</li><li>When it seems that nothing is working, it is time to step away for awhile and recharge. The book (or any project) will be at its best when you are at your best.</li><li>There are always hurdles out there. You don't have to jump it all the time, you can go around. You will still get to the other side.</li><li>Criticism is good. You may not be able to do anything about your current book, but it will help you with your next one.</li><li>Prayers always work.</li></ul><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;">"When traveling, food becomes an international language. The shared experience of enjoying food lovingly prepared in someone's kitchen by and with people of different cultures needs no words. It brings us together without prejudice and so, fosters happiness peace, harmony and friendship."</i></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>jojo sabalvaro tan</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Excerpt from </i><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Passport-Global-Cuisine-Exploring-Watercolor/dp/B08LNG9YNY/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&qid=1603868592&refinements=p_27%3ATan&s=books&sr=1-1">Passport to Global Cuisine</a></b></p></div>jojo sabalvaro tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823593650174785959noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043757208050201516.post-52210215651651911722020-10-27T00:52:00.006-05:002020-11-05T12:32:32.495-06:00 Frida with Birds of Paradise (Frida con Ave del Paraiso)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcC4O_dCbB88zswBuLESnvaQJVi_tJsNYJwt7eMfOTapexO4z-HZID1DYe1HgU8QylPNgB-1bAtsd9-ObquO_7dak4WVz7zzWSXauTeWOyUZ2ohXc4sZ6KX8ewdjOMfgb1HzARUDFIWtk/s2048/frida+ave+del+paraiso.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2032" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcC4O_dCbB88zswBuLESnvaQJVi_tJsNYJwt7eMfOTapexO4z-HZID1DYe1HgU8QylPNgB-1bAtsd9-ObquO_7dak4WVz7zzWSXauTeWOyUZ2ohXc4sZ6KX8ewdjOMfgb1HzARUDFIWtk/w398-h400/frida+ave+del+paraiso.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Frida con Aves del Paraiso </i>(Frida with Birds of Paradise) 2020</b><br />by jojo sabalvaro tan <br />Acrylic on 18 x 18 canvas</div><p><br /></p><p>Frida Kahlo, born 1907- died 1954 in Coyoacan, Mexico City, Mexico, is one of my favorite modernist female artist. She painted many self-portraits in a naïve, surrealistic and autobiographical style that was influenced by Mexican folk culture. She embraced Mexican indigenous traditions, her Mexican identity, her Catholic beliefs and the feminine form and experience in her art. She is considered one of Mexico's cultural icons along with her husband, Diego Rivera, who was also an internationally renowned artist. I wish I can be accomplished enough an artist to be able to tell social statements and evoke my feelings directly in my art, as she does. You look at her paintings and you know there is a story there, even if you can't figure it out at first, much like looking at a painting by Salvador Dali. With Van Gogh, his brushstrokes revealed his madness, In Edvard Munch's The Scream, we relate to his uncertainty and anxiety. And in Edward Hopper's Nighthawk you feel the loneliness, although Hopper claims, it is more about predators in the night, and you see that also. I think that challenging your senses and emotions with their art is the hallmark of a great artist. </p><p>My fellow artist friend, Ginny, and I were supposed to meet in Chicago last June for a Frida Kahlo exhibition. Alas, COVID happened. To cope with my disappointment, I decided to do a painting of Frida. My painting is loosely based on Ms. Kahlo's painting below. Except for the birds of paradise, my paint is devoid of Frida's flourishes such as foliage, animals and macabre touches. In this time of pandemic, I wanted my paintings to be bright and far from today's doom and gloom in the news.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lfmeJtVA6Cj0b3S5TUVzw97HYUsUga3mg7uLuyygGNlStFTXvc8MGsmxzXJw_tFMKUic-LRrguPfyKBgWoLBVnXkjv61qftNbkmjQHlX68vda35sMw7waHLAWhWZPHSncN_ChwyCEOXx/s800/Frida+self-portrait-with-necklace-of-thorns.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="615" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lfmeJtVA6Cj0b3S5TUVzw97HYUsUga3mg7uLuyygGNlStFTXvc8MGsmxzXJw_tFMKUic-LRrguPfyKBgWoLBVnXkjv61qftNbkmjQHlX68vda35sMw7waHLAWhWZPHSncN_ChwyCEOXx/s320/Frida+self-portrait-with-necklace-of-thorns.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: left;"><b>Self-portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">by Frida Kahlo in 1940</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">Oil on canvas, 63.5 x 49.5 cm</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From the collection of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Texas_at_Austin" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start; text-decoration-line: none;" title="University of Texas at Austin">University of Texas at Austin</a><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">, Austin, Texas, United States</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><p></p>When we visited Mexico City with high school classmates, we each picked a site and activity we wanted to see or do. My pick was a visit to the Frida Kahlo Museum, more famously known as La Casa Azul or the Blue House. This is where Frida spent most of her life. Some of her and Diego's personal effects and important and minor paintings are housed there. It was exciting to see Frida's wheelchair in front of her easel. Because of her active fiery life, one forgets, that she became disabled from polio during her childhood and further infirmed by a bus accident when she was 18. Painting was her way of coping.<div><br /></div><div>In my painting, I used a cobalt blue background to represent the stucco walls of La Casa Azul. Frida has depicted herself a number of times in her paintings with various tropical birds surrounding her. I chose to paint birds of paradise to represent Frida's attachment to birds. Hence, the title of the piece, <i>Frida con Aves del Paraiso</i> or Frida with Birds of Paradise. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIfmkvwFjLIsreSm8_NonGC7-4F7W1R87fEz6D6LQy7fmHU3fZ9Ia7vhoW7zqapdSTZXWzkVpwhlx-fBhIKx6jHhjvqfPGSAQtQMwh_wwLjpbADFdY55n6VMbETKhW-RWEdG2o8AQF4ET/s2048/frida+easel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIfmkvwFjLIsreSm8_NonGC7-4F7W1R87fEz6D6LQy7fmHU3fZ9Ia7vhoW7zqapdSTZXWzkVpwhlx-fBhIKx6jHhjvqfPGSAQtQMwh_wwLjpbADFdY55n6VMbETKhW-RWEdG2o8AQF4ET/s320/frida+easel.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Frida painting in progress on the easel.</div><div><br /><p></p><h4 style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;">“<span style="font-weight: normal;">I wish I could do whatever I liked behind the curtain of “madness”. Then: I’d arrange flowers, all day long, I’d paint; pain, love and tenderness, I would laugh as much as I feel like at the stupidity of others, and they would all say: “Poor thing, she’s crazy!” (Above all I would laugh at my own stupidity.) I would build my world which while I lived, would be in agreement with all the worlds. The day, or the hour, or the minute that I lived would be mine and everyone else’s - my madness would not be an escape from “reality”.”</span></span></i></h4><i><div style="text-align: right;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">― </span><span class="authorOrTitle" face="Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;">Frida Kahlo</span></i></div></i><p></p></div>jojo sabalvaro tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823593650174785959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043757208050201516.post-88161113162824364282020-04-27T15:40:00.001-05:002021-02-08T23:09:31.717-06:00Chillax in the time of Pandemic <br />
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Chillax in the time of Pandemic 2020</div>
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Acrylics on 16" x 20" canvas</div>
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by jojo sabalvaro tan</div>
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Covid 19 (Novel Corona Virus 2019) hit the world hard, after ravaging the Wuhan province in China. Since first recognized in the Western world at the end of January 2020 to the time of this writing, there have been more than 200,000 recorded worldwide deaths attributed to Covid19. Most of the entire world have been placed on lockdown or quarantine to avoid further spread of the disease. Non-essential businesses were forced to close and our carefree lifestyle had to be adjusted severely.<br />
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With most folks on stay-at-home order or lockdown, I perceived this period as time to reset our world: less traffic, cleaner air, bluer skies, relaxing without guilt and spending precious time with family and friends - although mostly on online chats or videos. We were also given time to tackle that endless to-do list of chores and projects, plant flowers and vegetables, learn something new like baking bread or praying in Latin, watch the eagles soar, binge on those shows that you always wanted to see, organize those travel photos and fondly remember the people you were with, what you ate, what you saw, read the books you stashed for 'someday' reading or fund raise for victims and front liners. This is also time for quiet contemplation and prayers.<br />
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As retirees, the adjustment to staying home is not as difficult for us as it is for those who still work full time. We still go to the doctor or the pharmacy, when needed. We were already shopping online pre-Covid19 but we've always done grocery shopping in person. Now we shop our local grocery using Instacart and have it delivered. What a convenience! We may just continue to shop this way even post-Covid19.<br />
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To somehow help with the Covid19 containment, I made masks for family, friends and neighbors, as well as my doctor's office staff and elderly patients. I tried various masks patterns with filter pockets found online and finally settled on the pattern <a href="https://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/assets/images/freepatterns/blog/FaceMaskTemplate.pdf">from the Riley Blake website</a>. The ones that use elastic around the ears tend to hurt after prolonged use so I opted for fabric ties instead. Here's a sampling of the masks I made:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXuEn2nJTJ7IlWsomja7YFA6HVfkUzo0oifi2c42rR0AQQLmY7bG3r6D7sdpoGGPwz3fygKFy8naIDVZlXEGmupViRWbTI-XCnVqWh3iS1RRtAWnNiK9R4kQvK9RH7V42FYoYIjhzOrAS/s1600/chillax1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1486" data-original-width="991" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXuEn2nJTJ7IlWsomja7YFA6HVfkUzo0oifi2c42rR0AQQLmY7bG3r6D7sdpoGGPwz3fygKFy8naIDVZlXEGmupViRWbTI-XCnVqWh3iS1RRtAWnNiK9R4kQvK9RH7V42FYoYIjhzOrAS/s320/chillax1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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As a break from days of making masks, I decided to tackle a 16" x 20" canvas that has been sitting on my easel for more than a year. All I had done with it prior was a rough sketch and the background paint. Inspired, the painting was completed in less than three days. The finished work turned out quite different from what I had envisioned when I sketched it on the canvas for what seems like ages ago. Times have since quickly changed dramatically and drastically with the pandemic.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The title of the piece is <b><i>Chillax in the time of Pandemic</i></b>. It's a quasi-self portrait since I took liberal advantage of artistic license by representing myself favorably. However, in a counter move to my unabashed attempt to enhance my features, my arthritic hands and feet are also on full display. Those who previewed the painting recognized the image as me almost immediately; so I guess I get at least a passing mark for my self-portrayal. Vibrant colors were used to deliberately eschew from the darkness brought on by the Corona Virus. The background is clean to somehow wash off all the chaos, confusion and uncertainty during this time. There are those pockets of time amidst this pandemic when the world is peaceful, safe, and in harmony. I tried to give a sense of that in this painting as an homage to these cherished moments and precious gifts. I hope you savor those snippets of time too.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRAxvldfA8eHIytb8E_MgbuP-eZ4GoJ6C9y9caAGDHgXIi3CeEqwWVnc5-9aPDGLQ_da3zFujO_8EyR_Et6kVciEy6L4emT7FMR3-2bbioQErVROwBRm6lUlYezAYriJtAzJQ4IvvoQcn/s1600/chillax4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRAxvldfA8eHIytb8E_MgbuP-eZ4GoJ6C9y9caAGDHgXIi3CeEqwWVnc5-9aPDGLQ_da3zFujO_8EyR_Et6kVciEy6L4emT7FMR3-2bbioQErVROwBRm6lUlYezAYriJtAzJQ4IvvoQcn/s320/chillax4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Now, back to masks making.<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Our prayers and gratitude not only go out to the medical and support team who are at the front lines fighting this invisible enemy but also those that continue to provide us with our food and basic necessities. We continue to pray for those who have the virus and are still in the hospital fighting. We share in the grief of families who could not give a final kiss to their loved ones who succumbed Covid19. And we celebrate those patients who were successful in the battle and released from the hospital. May their recovery continue. We also pray that our leaders are guided to get us through this crisis. </span><br />
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God Bless Everyone! Stay Home and Keep Safe!<br />
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<br />jojo sabalvaro tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823593650174785959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043757208050201516.post-2879435431041343672020-03-15T22:39:00.000-05:002020-03-15T22:39:00.139-05:00Travel Sketches and Vamos a Argentina Reunion<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Vamos a Argentina Reunion</b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Members of UP Prep 65 in Buenos Aires at the<span style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; list-style: none; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> foot of Obelisco de Buenos Aires (Obelisk of Buenos Aires)</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; list-style: none; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span></b><br />
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My husband and I have travelled extensively all over the world. Still two continents remain on our bucket list - South America and Antarctica, Last year, my high school classmates and I were invited <span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">to have a reunion in Buenos Aires </span>by the Philippine Ambassador to Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia, who happens to be my high school classmate and a dearest friend. My husband and I, of course, immediately planned to join the reunion. Unfortunately, we were inundated with medical issues that were deterring us from travelling such a long distance by plane. But still, we were hopeful. At almost the eleventh hour, we decided we felt well enough to tackle the trip. We gave it much thought and in the end concluded that life is getting shorter, we might as well do what we can and enjoy every minute we have. So, against doctor's orders, we took a chance and booked our flight to Buenos Aires to join my classmates.<br />
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Other than Manila, Philippines where we have held the bulk of our reunions, our class have held official reunions abroad many times - New York, Niagara Falls, Chicago, Austria, Bangkok, Mexico City, Vancouver, Den Haag and now Buenos Aires. These reunions are often extended to other cities/towns or countries near the host city.<br />
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In our septuagenarian age, this group tackled one of the most challenging trip that we have embarked on and came out exhilarated, proud, joyful and thankful that after all these years we are relatively unscathed and able to still enjoy travelling together. Our laundry from this trip have not even been taken out of the luggage and plans were already being made for another trip - New Zealand, South Africa, perhaps. At least for now, we can check off South America from our bucket list. Thank you to our gracious hosts, the Ambassador to Argentina and her ever-generous husband for the warm welcome and keeping our enjoyment level at 110% even when our stamina and endurance level was at 0%.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>UP Prep 65 and their families during the welcome dinner at the Philippine Ambassador's Residence</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As I have done in the past travels, I sketched the places we visit. All sketches were done on a Moleskin Watercolor Journal (90#). I used my new set of St, Petersburg White Nights Watercolor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are some of the ones I did for <b>Buenos Aires:</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Evita Peron's Monument</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Plaza de Libertador</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Evita Peron is a very popular figure in Argentina. Most consider her saintly. We visited her tomb at the Recoleta Cemetery, where spaces for tombs and mausoleums are more expensive than some of the pricier homes in Argentina. To find out more about Evita, our guide said, "See the movie or play." </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLDot8kFI1_a7P8Dj9vMCNJUADKKVewCnSDM64kK5-M1CTPWJDFpoG1MY5TekQyfCdFAT_kit5MZ34Q9zFk2KL0PjA_OTHkRWaGRxMhao9DjE17Bphk5OfDVxAkb7ib3yj_1OUV7umjeM/s1600/jacaranda+sketch+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1423" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLDot8kFI1_a7P8Dj9vMCNJUADKKVewCnSDM64kK5-M1CTPWJDFpoG1MY5TekQyfCdFAT_kit5MZ34Q9zFk2KL0PjA_OTHkRWaGRxMhao9DjE17Bphk5OfDVxAkb7ib3yj_1OUV7umjeM/s640/jacaranda+sketch+%25282%2529.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jacarandas in Full Bloom</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Plaza Republica Federativa del Brasil</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">We timed the reunion to catch the lilac-colored blooms of the<i> jacaranda mimosifolia</i> in Buenos Aires and we were not disappointed. They were stunning. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Gran Gomero Tree</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Recoleta</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This is the oldest gum tree (planted in 1791) in Argentina with its branches spanning approximately 165 feet. It has a sculpture of a titan carrying the weight of the branches. The other branches of the tree are supported by concrete columns.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp16yNGcUCip2GxmJSyV6G8ivmv4NS2rjhz0-WlBz0GYK4JO6EaEZVvkA4np1lyMyUDEaeHtDlUxYe1SBDTDm7YaX4jCqLXivKSoD3VMqluQAUw54DNvOSB2_VN9XyF9CdF13dEQ4Hivtc/s1600/tango+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1508" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp16yNGcUCip2GxmJSyV6G8ivmv4NS2rjhz0-WlBz0GYK4JO6EaEZVvkA4np1lyMyUDEaeHtDlUxYe1SBDTDm7YaX4jCqLXivKSoD3VMqluQAUw54DNvOSB2_VN9XyF9CdF13dEQ4Hivtc/s320/tango+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Argentine Tango</span></b><b><br /></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Tango is one of the best loved dances due to the passionate, sultry, sexy and complicated nature of the dance. It is danced everywhere in Buenos Aires, normally accompanied by a small <i>orquesta tipica </i>consisting of a bandoneon, flute and double bass. The basics are just an 8-step sequence, with endless variations of moves that makes it so complex and impossible for non-professionals. We had tango lessons at a studio and were taught the basic steps. By the time the lesson was over, we can all do a passable tango walk, the cross and pause. The instructor said, tango can be as dramatic, sensual and complex as you want but, it is equally beautiful with just minor tweaks on the basic steps Tango was born from a cross-cultural mix of immigrants to Argentina from Spain, France, England, Ireland, Eastern Europe, Greece and of course, Africa and Italy.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Art Vendor at El Caminito</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"> Boca Neighborhood</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The area of El Caminito in the Boca neighborhood has to be the most colorful and quirky area in Argentina. Filled with shops that sell local goods, souvenirs and art. There are a number of restaurants, too. It was a gritty port/shipyard area at the mouth of the Mantanza river, where African slaves lived during the colonial period. In the 1830s, Italian immigrants settled here and constructed tenements made of scrap metal and painted the shacks with brightly colored leftover marine paint. It became the signature look of the barrio to this day.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Argentine Steak at La Cabrera</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Palermo</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I had to sketch one of the first steak meals we had. We should not have been surprised at how good it was. We were in Buenos Aires after all. Steak seems to be served everywhere in Buenos Aires. The steaks here are better than some of the most expensive steakhouses in the US at less than half the price. The steaks were served in large cuts with several condiments including the Argentine staple, chimichurri, really one order is enough for two people. Note: We were surprised to find a charge for <i>cubiertos</i> (which we are familiar with as Spanish for silverware) included in our restaurant tab. Why do they charge for the use of spoons, fork and knives? How are we suppose to eat steak with our hands? Upon further investigation, we found out the <i>cubiertos</i> charge in Argentina is equivalent to service charge elsewhere.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOaG7Pd62BrO1L4MGhCosPcTzxTiCHvV-jXvY9r_zNjXyCpUdYlWJpXlUqeVDhmAU4XLa0CDe_Vh0nucSm0ZF2LYmWDc3XqfST0WCOudE2yTOXsknBhi5McMGNOGyGdSfpeOBWvID0XzK/s1600/palermo+sketch+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1129" data-original-width="1488" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOaG7Pd62BrO1L4MGhCosPcTzxTiCHvV-jXvY9r_zNjXyCpUdYlWJpXlUqeVDhmAU4XLa0CDe_Vh0nucSm0ZF2LYmWDc3XqfST0WCOudE2yTOXsknBhi5McMGNOGyGdSfpeOBWvID0XzK/s400/palermo+sketch+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Bars and Restaurants</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Palermo District</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We stayed in the Palermo district of Buenos Aires where the trendy people eat and drink at the equally trendy restaurants and bars. This is where you find the chic boutiques also. The Palermo Hollywood area, where our hotel is located, comes alive at night with music and dancing along with their cocktails and meals. During the weekend, the decibel level magnifies, so if you want a good night sleep, forget about it. Might as well join in on all the fun outside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Juana Azurduy Monument</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>San Nicolas</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The San Nicolas neighborhood is the historic and business center of Buenos Aires. It is not loss to many its similarities to Paris with its wide boulevards, spans of green space and Beaux-Arts architecture. I noticed a plethora of large scale monuments honoring individuals and events in history. I have not come across another city during our travels with a preponderance of monuments in a relatively small square area. The only other place that comes to mind is Washington DC. This very dynamic and moving monument of a fierce warrior woman caught my eyes. It is rather unusual to have a woman featured in a sculpture where you feel she is ready for the battle - spirited, powerful, determined and strong. I immediately snapped a photo from the tour bus and was determined to sketch it. I did some research when I got home and discovered that this woman is Juana Azurduy de Padilla (1780-1862), an Argentinian mestiza guerilla military leader of the indigenous people of Upper Peru and was instrumental in the independence of Bolivia. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpgctj2Hpuwqaa3ljrgDjejzLvPYnxfEq30mgHcb-cFH-x56UtYmkHSLtELEg89h5SdeovAHyKtfakNW9FbJLQWONEjB_MW83id0fcmuabVCfHHccFmt6zezns4zmydlyM54eBhFE151e/s1600/argentina+graffiti+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1249" data-original-width="1325" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpgctj2Hpuwqaa3ljrgDjejzLvPYnxfEq30mgHcb-cFH-x56UtYmkHSLtELEg89h5SdeovAHyKtfakNW9FbJLQWONEjB_MW83id0fcmuabVCfHHccFmt6zezns4zmydlyM54eBhFE151e/s320/argentina+graffiti+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Street Art </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Boca</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b></b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />Some of my friends consider graffiti a travesty that destroys the aesthetics of the surroundings. I, on the other hand, love it as art for art's sake and expression. Buenos Aires has become one of the capitals in the world of street art. As a matter of fact, street art is highly encouraged and not restricted. Apparently, street artists there can paint anywhere and anything. If you are interested in street art (murals and graffiti), Buenos Aires is the place to be since everywhere you look you are witness to lively, colorful and sometimes provocative works of art. Paris has a similar scenario, the casual visitor can view from the train (RER) the buildings and walls lining the tracks filled with graffiti. In the case of Buenos Aires, there seems to be a balance between murals and graffiti as well as traditional and modern art outdoors. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQ3q7Emqhi3RWy_8Qaa7RDlOvbFlNdeKgdnWvh_gGC_-Cgd1vl1TPuzx2PJ7oFcAdH_rYdX80R87yMjNynY1eGjPJ1-SJM_gcfibjhsUXwBBMNAjt8eEyGKOBBzJfiysjhyphenhyphenzfBV1VKEln/s1600/mate+gourd+sketch+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1598" data-original-width="1386" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQ3q7Emqhi3RWy_8Qaa7RDlOvbFlNdeKgdnWvh_gGC_-Cgd1vl1TPuzx2PJ7oFcAdH_rYdX80R87yMjNynY1eGjPJ1-SJM_gcfibjhsUXwBBMNAjt8eEyGKOBBzJfiysjhyphenhyphenzfBV1VKEln/s320/mate+gourd+sketch+%25282%2529.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Mate Gourd and Bombilla For Sale</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>San Telmo </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">A fair is held every Sunday at one of the oldest and bohemian districts in Buenos Aires, San Telmo, where all kinds of goods are offered for sale including antiques, artwork, jewelry, clothes, handicrafts, accessories and knickknacks, to name a few. The San Telmo Fair is a place I can get lost in forever. We saw these mate gourds for sale there. It is used to drink the dried leaves of the <i>ilex paraguariensis</i> tree by sipping through a metal straw (bombilla). To me, it is quintessentially South American. I had to take one of the mate gourds home as a souvenir. It certainly is a conversation piece.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Since we had limited time and didn't want to overdo our escape, our plan was to just join our classmates in the Buenos Aires part of the reunion. One of my classmates convinced us to go to Iguazu Falls. To do this, we had to cut short the already limited time we can spend with my classmates as well as not join the excursion to one of the Argentinian <i>estancias</i> or <i>haciendas</i> for the ultimate gaucho experience. But a trip to one of the world's largest waterfall with a fall rate of 62,000 cubic feet per second and its numerous <i>cataratas</i> spanning both Brazil and Argentina was irresistible. Plus it is always our goal to visit a UNESCO world heritage site whenever we can. After Buenos Aires, the reunion group will visit Perito Moreno to see the glaciers, Iguazu Falls (Brazilian and Argentine sides), and then split up with some going to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and others to Peru.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">These are some of the sketches I did from <b>Iguazu Falls</b>:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />Iguazu Falls Boat Ride </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Iguazu National Park, Misiones, AR</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is one of the most exhilarating thrill adventure I have done. A truck takes you through the Iguazu jungle in which there are wild cats like jaguars and all sorts of wildlife. This ride ends on top of a steep ridge that you would need to climb down to reach the San Antonio River where the boat is located. Mercifully, there are 600 steps and you don't have to trek down on mud. After being adorned with life jackets and given dry bags to store our belongings, the ride begun. It was a crazy, fast and frantic ride that took us through the rapids to the base of several <i>cataratas</i> (falls) where we had the thrill of being <span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">super drenched under the falls. The force of the water was so strong that my husband who held his hood close to his head said it felt like being hit by a hammer. On the other hand, I held my hood above my head because I wanted to see what was happening and that happened to protect me from the force of the falls. We went in and out of the smaller falls of the almost 300 falls that make up Iguazu. I can't imagine how it would feel to be underneath El Diablo (Devil's Throat), Iguazu's largest (300 ft. wide and 269 ft. deep) and most forceful falls. We saw it from the top of the falls. The Iguazu River that feeds the falls was calmly meandering but once it came down from the Parana plateau, the power of the falls was unbelievable. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Wildlife at Iguazu Falls </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Iguazu National Park, Misiones, AR</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">As we walked through the upper and middle falls walkways and bridges viewing the various aspects and sceneries of Iguazu falls, we came upon many wildlife native to these parts. We spotted a toucan up in the tree, monkeys playing trapeze among the branches, butterflies of various colors and shapes, an abundance of birds and little rodents like animals that look like a hybrid of a racoon. My sketches features the toco toucan (<i>ramphastos toco</i>), the Coati or coatimundi with its racoon-like striped tail, a capuchin monkey with its light face and the malachite butterfly recognizable for its beautiful green hue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Tres Fronteras</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Puerto Iguazu, AR </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Just steps away from our hotel is the obelisk marking the tri-border area of Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil. This is the point where the Iguazu and Parana rivers converge. What I found amusing was as we were walking around the obelisk, my phone kept sending me a message from T-Mobile stating, Welcome to Paraguay or Welcome to Argentina or Welcome to Brazil depending on where I was standing. Good thing it was a free message.</span></div>
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I wish we were able to join my classmates on the extended trips so I could sketch those places too.<br />
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Note for artists friends on the watercolor paint I used:</div>
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<i>I did not enjoy painting with the St. Petersburg White Nights watercolor as much as I do with the my Sennelier, Winsor Newton, Schminke and Daniel Smith. The color of the pigment on the pan is not representative of what is the true color. For example all the blues, greens, browns look the same on the pan. The colors do not seem as brilliant also. It is hard to gauge the amount of water to use plus the brush keeps dragging on the pigment like there is some kind of sticky substance on the paint even if I pre-wet the palette. Mixed colors turn out muddy. I probably need to work with it more. The Iguazu sketches were done in Sennelier and Daniel Smith Watercolors.</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Floralis Generica</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Plaza Naciones Unidas</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This is a kinetic sculpture of steel and aluminum created by Argentine architect Eduardo Catalano. It was designed to open every morning and close at sunset everyday signifying, as Catalano puts it, "a synthesis of all the flowers and, at the same time, a hope reborn everyday at opening."</span></div>
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jojo sabalvaro tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823593650174785959noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043757208050201516.post-73611481213710564192020-02-28T21:48:00.000-06:002020-02-29T12:17:11.802-06:00Where in the World is the Class of UP Prep65<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxHGWM-bZzHCztbFH_UbsOYT1c28mquGr2cXwK_sx-WHaFypV_igl-Fsbs_frVscN423r1xdpzwrNm389O1QIhrkKsBxzvrOILooBKZhhnnLwyWGz5xOc60ttHK12g_QT-Q3T7awGGwJ0/s1600/up+prep+65_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxHGWM-bZzHCztbFH_UbsOYT1c28mquGr2cXwK_sx-WHaFypV_igl-Fsbs_frVscN423r1xdpzwrNm389O1QIhrkKsBxzvrOILooBKZhhnnLwyWGz5xOc60ttHK12g_QT-Q3T7awGGwJ0/s640/up+prep+65_sm.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Where in the World is the Class of UP Prep65</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Acrylic on 48" x 24" canvas</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">by jojo sabalvaro tan 2020</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">The
travel bug was instilled when we were in high school at the University of the
Philippines Preparatory School in Manila. Our broad and extensive education opened our eyes to the culture of our country as well as that of other
countries. Our wanderlust was set on fire and we dreamt of seeing these
local and foreign places we were introduced to in books and saw projected from slides.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">For most
classmates, our 20s, 30s and 40s, were a time to build families and
careers. For many, the desire to travel had to be put on the back burner. We maintained
limited contact with each other but still managed to have reunions in Manila on
each decade anniversary of our graduation. By the time we were in our 50s, our
professional life and families are pretty much established. We started having grand reunions in Manila every 5 years, with many reunions abroad and get togethers
interspersed in between. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">Our
reunions and get-togethers brought us to many countries where we garnered
unparalleled shared experiences and enjoyment. Often, our main reunions are
hosted at the classmate's host city, followed by side trips to other cities or countries.
For instance, the reunion in Vienna, hosted by a classmate who was the then
Philippine Ambassador to Austria, was followed by side trips to Salzburg and Salzkamergutt area in Austria, Prague, Czechoslovakia, Budapest, Hungary, Italy and Germany. We are
all grateful to be given the opportunity to discover the world together. I can
hardly believe the ground we covered in the last 20 years. Reunions and
get-togethers such as these, along with our antics in high school, are the never-ending stories that will be discussed, debated and keep us amused ad nauseam
while we rock our chairs and adjust our hearing aids.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SNAyZUU23BqDgEhYkKO2pi1b9UkBDPlQLqGOr3vCwrYegJPHJhtEWXVpgwwg7V_AbEmgOyEM9J3EiuaLp88fxEX69FHS0Z_AhIZr5C1SyLRStno-9SDsdI-1dJrI9-w_DF6K-td6l1o0/s1600/where+prep65+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SNAyZUU23BqDgEhYkKO2pi1b9UkBDPlQLqGOr3vCwrYegJPHJhtEWXVpgwwg7V_AbEmgOyEM9J3EiuaLp88fxEX69FHS0Z_AhIZr5C1SyLRStno-9SDsdI-1dJrI9-w_DF6K-td6l1o0/s200/where+prep65+1.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">In honor
of our graduation's 55th anniversary, I decided to create an artwork based on our many reunions and get-togethers both in the Philippines and abroad. It
features places where two or more members of the class of UP Prep65 have
gathered. <span style="background: white;">The 71 sites in this artwork are
by no means all the cities and towns we have been to together, but at least
they are a representation of our peregrinations.</span> Within the painting,
mini likenesses of my classmates are shown perambulating around the sites. From concept to completion, the project took more than a year and I loved every minute I was working on it. My hope is, when viewing the painting, my batchmates will delight
in reminiscing about our journeys and other classmates who have not been able
to come along could vicariously enjoy these trips through this artwork.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAOqShODUQGt5uozOX9YKUfylCkLjNhhUjJw6w4ML1U6jYbkSmhCKVLTNMhWTNz2g36Qygf2dOXm801XzGrfqwPXvwC57IuEQsE_5Z0kFYzkypNGa6KzQcwwY1TedaWUgK5BfkphachwE/s1600/where+prep65+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">This is
my tribute to the intrepid and itinerant UP Prep Class of 1965, who are now in
their 70s, with aching bones, medical concerns but, armed with unwavering,
indefatigable spirits, have not lost their enthusiasm to bravely discover this
beautiful and diverse world. I am grateful to have been able to be part of the
entire UP Prep 65 experience. <i>Saludos</i> beloved classmates and long live
UP Prep 65! And I do cherish you. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcqMutiGqjEQ4dV8p-btOCoAvqSdgW9pPq-g8WiGUv32JwAL8ubQbFXXQ4qHFlJpOy15DoBjBCCQ_QAC3k2DaRN3-6n5b_kQJy4HeDJ0xz0fQEBSCDv-rfSm9ftqib18EDTs7qYdDNi36/s1600/where+prep65+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcqMutiGqjEQ4dV8p-btOCoAvqSdgW9pPq-g8WiGUv32JwAL8ubQbFXXQ4qHFlJpOy15DoBjBCCQ_QAC3k2DaRN3-6n5b_kQJy4HeDJ0xz0fQEBSCDv-rfSm9ftqib18EDTs7qYdDNi36/s320/where+prep65+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painting in progress</td></tr>
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<span style="background: #eeedef; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">May the road rise up to meet you.</span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: #eeedef; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"> May the wind be always at your back. </span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: #eeedef; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">May the sun shine warm upon your face; </span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: #eeedef; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">the rains fall soft upon your fields </span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: #eeedef; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">and until we meet again, </span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: #eeedef; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">may God hold you in the palm of His hand. </span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: #eeedef; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">(Traditional Gaelic Blessing)</span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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jojo sabalvaro tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823593650174785959noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043757208050201516.post-12891987348579379132019-12-10T15:24:00.002-06:002020-01-09T15:26:58.795-06:002019 Madonna and Child Christmas Card<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2RrZkUV0UfJlM0qtI_fxDiokne11WDiukI_dosg2ujojNOFEig-Tw4GB-yJElXpI_1RCk5fhGs4QgNWgWQhWW5T5Yxpz1kEn1fSnvVWxSFLM1dIIwoQMN2zyaBtZ6x4PMw94UnLtuhhb/s1600/IMG_6135%2528Edited%2529+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1054" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2RrZkUV0UfJlM0qtI_fxDiokne11WDiukI_dosg2ujojNOFEig-Tw4GB-yJElXpI_1RCk5fhGs4QgNWgWQhWW5T5Yxpz1kEn1fSnvVWxSFLM1dIIwoQMN2zyaBtZ6x4PMw94UnLtuhhb/s400/IMG_6135%2528Edited%2529+%25282%2529.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
2019 Madonna and Child</div>
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Watercolor on 5" x 7" Arches watercolor paper<br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">by jojo sabalvaro tan</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: #111111; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "Segoe UI",Arial,Helvetica,Sans-Serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; list-style: disc; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #58595b; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "Avenir LT W01 45 Book",sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">“<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.” – Luke 1:30-31</span></i></span></span></div>
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Our Christmas card this year continues our yearly tradition of featuring a Madonna and Child artwork I specially created. This image was done in watercolors, my favorite medium. I had started late (December) . Retirement seems to lull you into thinking there is always time tomorrow to do stuff since you don't work regular hours anymore, In previous years, I would start initiating the Christmas card in autumn in order to have the image printed and the cards addressed and mailed before the Thanksgiving holiday in order for the recipients to get them in time for Christmas. Even with that schedule, the cards going to foreign countries are not received until the new year. I'll get the cards mailed at the end of October next year.</div>
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This image of the Madonna is a more ethnic one and the baby is modeled after the newest member of our family and featuring the baby's big cheeks.<br />
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This year, for a special treat for those receiving our cards, we drove all the way to Christmas, Florida (more than an hour drive northeast from our house) to have the cards stamped there. We'll probably make that a Christmas tradition from now on.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKAaEchv5VqH-uBZehyphenhyphenI5wv3RSoWLkjwunl8a6AE0Mc94doFPenCZyeln8tk0ZM_ooXlwS5TmhxgiLtJRzzEigUVNW_w4dyizdUESEGoo9QT5xiLePnWwDjTpGyVtstV4w4gNl6XznGEm/s1600/IMG_6121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<b>Have a Merry Christmas and a Wonderful 2020 with your beloved family and friends.</b></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: #111111; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "Segoe UI",Arial,Helvetica,Sans-Serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; list-style-image: none; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">“<i>Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” – James 1:17</i></span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </i><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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jojo sabalvaro tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823593650174785959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043757208050201516.post-49080876072093814642019-03-11T10:55:00.004-05:002020-02-21T22:22:49.585-06:00Sketches of my High School Classmates<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Pen and Watercolor Sketches of University of the Philippines Prep Class of 65</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">by jojo sabalvaro tan 2019</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwni54iSxHAzF20bwAJ-9uriorlI8Eu1aRuM7vrE-K_xaAML9J7d6terO7EdBw0Qtd2UuMK5pZsx0ctB-Ay4w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Video of the Sketches</div>
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I was suddenly driven to do sketches of my high school classmates to commemorate our entry into our seventh decade. Most of us have just turned or are turning 70 . To me, it is a milestone. Having met my classmates when we were around 10 years old and retaining our friendship at the age of 70 is amazing. Our high school was experimental. The best students from across the country were chosen for their combined intellect, talent, and temperament and the best teachers were hired to not only instruct us at a college level but also coach us on how to live together as and in a community. The experiment proved successful; the school's graduates achieved success and excelled in various fields. Sadly, the program was terminated, as planned, 20 years after its inception and our alma mater is now a stuff of legend and fondly and lovingly lives on in the minds of its alumni.<br />
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While the muse was actively nagging me, I made the bold move to ask my classmates to send me recent headshots that will help me sketch them, I say bold, because I was not sure how it would be received, and bold, since I was voluntarily setting myself for failure since I have not done a project of this scale before, There were 113 in our graduating class and truth be told, I don't really know how to paint likenesses of people I know. Upping the difficulty factor is that since we graduated, I have seen many of my classmates only a few times and some not at all. Add to that, I gave my classmates 2 weeks to submit their headshots and myself less than a 1 month to finish the sketches. It was pressure with a capital 'P'' and I have no one to blame but myself!<br />
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It turns out, the class embraced the idea and even with the limited time, ninety classmates submitted their photos. That's 80% of the class. This was the most participation we've ever had in any post-graduation class activity. Even long lost classmates came out of the woodwork, and our dearly departed classmates' families submitted photos of them. Since a portrait sketch is personal and subject to criticism, I was naturally nervous. But I was more concerned about disappointing my classmates; so I went into hyper mode and started sketching. Well, as hyper as one can get when sick with acute bronchitis and high fever.</div>
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I sketched the classmates in order of submission of photos and due to time constraints, I decided not to sketch our classmates who passed away at this time. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7fHwOkxa9BaynqTVQ_yzNEMj4v8TuyCFtXJM9LzWrq8JJzPuiNvoZmeOVJkc-Vt7dHG7qdO43WPrMlseQfni7OEkpRgZ0hjCuwyiyr2Dimek4opR7H-4CzaOReg_KvdVJPpag5QrhsHr/s1600/IMG_3155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7fHwOkxa9BaynqTVQ_yzNEMj4v8TuyCFtXJM9LzWrq8JJzPuiNvoZmeOVJkc-Vt7dHG7qdO43WPrMlseQfni7OEkpRgZ0hjCuwyiyr2Dimek4opR7H-4CzaOReg_KvdVJPpag5QrhsHr/s200/IMG_3155.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1s4gtvmxVGu4cPSjoiGNfOBJIrLoGvKEKpM7C7X3Z5TlhyOYC2NKmBhKhHWfFPqfq3VuKEFyeZapIpdEDWz-qLTh9JypZ8PE-BEmIJBbu-atgTMQ62XUEsmwo3MLO-ReI2dRn-hcYr47/s1600/Urbina%252C+Ana+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0066cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1s4gtvmxVGu4cPSjoiGNfOBJIrLoGvKEKpM7C7X3Z5TlhyOYC2NKmBhKhHWfFPqfq3VuKEFyeZapIpdEDWz-qLTh9JypZ8PE-BEmIJBbu-atgTMQ62XUEsmwo3MLO-ReI2dRn-hcYr47/s200/Urbina%252C+Ana+%25282%2529.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="133" /></a></span></td></tr>
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Sketch of classmate Ana from photo on computer screen. On the inset is her high school graduation photo. This was the first sketch I did of the series so I was still exploring.<br />
Photo published with permission from Ana Urbina</div>
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by jojo sabalvaro tan 2019</div>
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Since the photos were sent via email, I used the image of the photo on my computer screen as reference for my sketches. Some sent nice photos with lots of features I can use. Others were so small or blurred or dark, it was hard to see details. Sometimes, I had to search social media to find better reference photos. For the most part, I tried to stay true to the photo that was sent since I figured that is how the classmate wants to be represented. I did have to make a few tweaks where I thought it made the sketch more lively or spirited.<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sketch of classmate Sixto with the photo he sent as reference. I thought that the image on the photo, although smiling, was like a passport photo, so I gave the pose more dynamism,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(Photo published with permission from Sixto Salumbides)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">by jojo sabalvaro tan 2019</span></div>
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These were quick sketches. My only rule was there won't be any do overs even if the sketch missed the mark. It forced me to try to do each sketch right the first time. The sketches were done in the same method as I do my travel sketches. An ink drawing was done first (no pencil) on 6"x 8" watercolor paper so any mis-stroke cannot be erased. I had to be extremely mindful of capturing the contour and features of the subject at this point. Watercolor was applied for details in color and shading. I kept to a limited palette of 8 colors (ivory black, yellow ochre,, burnt sienna, raw umber, French vermillion, ultramarine blue, Payne's gray, and Vandyke brown) so that I can achieve cohesiveness in color and technique from one sketch to the other.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1SvRb3q2nxUddQRGlHLx9HeVCSdbFs2e3nzJIcy0D20sc3Qsqucmm0Pc9nLJ2wkOwB_kbE-I_QDDKJqjduGvIwGfpjth1Gu2itGtyd2EKy2UNKkLrzVP9ImrHJDTY-CeCAIE1QTi5COR/s1600/Scan_20190203+%2528151%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0066cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="566" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1SvRb3q2nxUddQRGlHLx9HeVCSdbFs2e3nzJIcy0D20sc3Qsqucmm0Pc9nLJ2wkOwB_kbE-I_QDDKJqjduGvIwGfpjth1Gu2itGtyd2EKy2UNKkLrzVP9ImrHJDTY-CeCAIE1QTi5COR/s200/Scan_20190203+%2528151%2529.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynz5yNiylzBCrFpOKdCz7JlwzO_1VkBrOdeKtVj0ME9yD6jG0jntJPOA00ZOtWA_lAKkUdZ5duX2AbdgFTrr6POvSaFwkmOZdGJZBqGE2kUs7gZyO4ON_FQ3Wv8SGYji5dgIw-psUzKdn/s1600/IMG_3211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0066cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="978" data-original-width="652" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynz5yNiylzBCrFpOKdCz7JlwzO_1VkBrOdeKtVj0ME9yD6jG0jntJPOA00ZOtWA_lAKkUdZ5duX2AbdgFTrr6POvSaFwkmOZdGJZBqGE2kUs7gZyO4ON_FQ3Wv8SGYji5dgIw-psUzKdn/s200/IMG_3211.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="133" /></a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A sketch of classmate Edith with her reference photo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This time I took some liberties by showing her signature laughing face. Originally, I was doing caricatures but abandoned the idea since I quickly found out that my left brain will not allow my right brain to draw caricatures. This sketch is the closest I will get to sketching a caricature.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(Photo pulished with permission from Edith Sangalang)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">by jojo sabalvaro tan 2019 </span></div>
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Where I can, I tried to add a smile or laughter to the portrait sketch. I was not aiming for an exact depiction but more of an impression or feeling. I did spend time coaxing out the essence of the person I knew in high school so the classmate would at least be discernable. That meant I had one way conversations with whoever I was painting, asking questions as inane as: "How is it that your hair is still so thick?' or " Is it really possible to be in love with two people equally and we are not talking about children nor grandchildren here?' or 'Did you know I had a crush on you in high school?' I think at this point my husband thought I had really gone crazy.<br />
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It dawned on me that this project which was meant to be my gift to my classmates was actually a gift for me. What a blessing it was to be allowed to do this project. The memories it brought was immeasurable and reconnection with classmates was just precious. There were times that I wished that my classmates were right here sketching with me so they can experience the joy I felt as well. This unexpected gift helped me get through the anxiety that the sketches will bomb.<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhp6Kxl9dp2t1QVTK2saSE1i8uFETlCx9f2BBcGnV_17XUaN96sN3DspOYIwlenFLRHcQ8eJA_Ku7sdHgTkoNpPd5czIa4r01_b73OSx1qvzgszc5Z3x49J4YnwyeKFAgBUVtSI3kTCpT/s1600/IMG_3218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhp6Kxl9dp2t1QVTK2saSE1i8uFETlCx9f2BBcGnV_17XUaN96sN3DspOYIwlenFLRHcQ8eJA_Ku7sdHgTkoNpPd5czIa4r01_b73OSx1qvzgszc5Z3x49J4YnwyeKFAgBUVtSI3kTCpT/s320/IMG_3218.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The first 8 sketches I completed hanging on the clothesline to dry</span><u><span style="color: #000120; font-size: small;">.</span></u></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNc9JVvvbumw8PehI8WusY1gz_OYo8FGg0naCu55RKXikfMWCZrbgZxG0ehyphenhyphenmW5GhhYadsJeYMlwoBMdVf8HonXcu3DLtu1gWiqPQc8D2zm2JVfRHZvMLU0JYJ6WfNr4uS4QCMMLRjgq4q/s1600/Scan_20190203+%2528158%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgwDnpeCp-AQztKjdbEB3D9rVJaHtm42UXaqSQ951Ay2aahg9zW-rNxVFP0kIn_yKn3rRP7iU8_9Z-1dASsdpAIXNGzn7c0FnVj3AqFi7nbZLeWC5YlNHRTfe0yQMUvZFsj6wSSPeZygC/s1600/IMG_3175+%25282%2529.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>
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Having worked on the sketches at all hours of the day, I started seeing progress. I got excited when I completed one sketch, then 5, then ten, then 20. The clothesline my husband set up to hang the finished sketches to dry was quickly getting filled up and as I sit in front of them every night I was buoyed and inspired to push on. Suddenly, my goal of 75 sketches was completed before my self-imposed deadline. I ended up doing sketches of 76 classmates. I surprised myself. Alleluia! It proved that even at 70, one can still do what they love and occasional illnesses are not a deterrent and excuse.<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> Out of respect for their wishes or intentions, I won't be able to sketch classmates who did not permit me to sketch them. I also did not sketch our dearly departed classmates because I was getting too sad to continue. By default, I did not sketch those classmates we were unable to locate.</span><br />
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With all the flurry of sketching I was doing, I failed to fully consider the logistics of how I would get the sketches to Manila in time for the February reunion. I did have several options but alas, polar vortex came into play and getting mail from one place to another can not be guaranteed. Thanks to a dear classmate, who caught my 'Hail Mary' pass and ran with it, She valiantly decided to fly to the Philippines and take the sketches with her. Phew! I do have a guardian angel looking after me. <br />
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Another artwork is planned for the 2020 grand reunion which will be the 55th anniversary of our graduation . These sketches will be incorporated in that piece.. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7UpjEWtO5vUKNfPo96cXgH9xFd1hX0UcXkYBg2y3nBmUufMf6_LqZwnQ_8v_FyBeSJAfZSSQEiI-hwmacZWjc1Slz6aDxWClKyTQanZBj-1jpI7jS5DNBzGfBJlkwq9dcsKjtsVJ2TUX/s1600/IMG_3747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7UpjEWtO5vUKNfPo96cXgH9xFd1hX0UcXkYBg2y3nBmUufMf6_LqZwnQ_8v_FyBeSJAfZSSQEiI-hwmacZWjc1Slz6aDxWClKyTQanZBj-1jpI7jS5DNBzGfBJlkwq9dcsKjtsVJ2TUX/s400/IMG_3747.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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The completed sketches hanging on the clothesline. I enjoyed sitting in front of them and reviewing my progress. sometimes I have to take down a sketch where the resemblance to the person is a bit questionable and with just a stroke of paint or pen , the sketch magically transforms.</div>
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by jojo sabalvaro tan 2019<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">One of the driving forces for this project is this quote from </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Daniel Burnham (1846-1912):</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; float: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 27px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">“<i>Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone will be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistency."</i> </span></span></span></div>
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Trivia: Did you know that Daniel Burnham not only created the master urban plan for Chicago but also for Manila and Baguio? The building at Padre Faura that housed University of the Philippines Manila and my high school, UP Preparatory School, is said to be attributed to him as part of his grand plan. Unfortunately, unlike Chicago, the Philippines did not continue to conform to the plan. Manila would have rivaled many famous cities in the world. Click on link to read about the <a href="https://burnhampi.wordpress.com/2010/06/06/the-plan-manila/">Burnham plan</a> for the Philippines.<br />
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<br />jojo sabalvaro tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823593650174785959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043757208050201516.post-57464463786356952332018-12-07T10:32:00.002-06:002018-12-07T11:21:14.529-06:00Tree Bark Study in Value<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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Tree Bark Study - deliberately unfinished (watercolor converted to black and white) 2018</div>
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jojo sabalvaro tan</div>
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My long time friend, Edith, a nature advocate, likes taking walks and photographing tree barks she sees along the path. What attracts her most is the texture of the bark. Walking and seeing the magnificence of nature through trees inspires her to take action towards the preservation of trees and other natural resources.<br />
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One day, she posted some of the pictures of barks she came across during one of her perambulations. When I saw her photos, I urged her to try to sketch or paint these barks. I always believe that sketching or painting brings a heightened awareness and appreciation of your surroundings. Photography in itself is an art, but there is something about taking pencil or paint to paper or canvas that makes you feel you created something with your mind and soul.<br />
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As I was looking at the pictures, I thought to myself that I should 'put my money where my mouth is' or 'practice what you preach.' Instead of lecturing, I should try to sketch and paint the bark myself. So I took Edith's picture and planned to crop it in an area where there was a significant play of values and contrasts since I wanted to emphasize variations of tone (light to dark) and texture found in the tree bark. One can pick any area to crop since every section in the tree bark photo was a perfect model for a value study.<br />
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Cropped bark photo source</div>
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Photo by Edith S</div>
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So, I just randomly chose a sector of the photo and enlarged it for the painting.<br />
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Then, I sketched the bark. It does not have to be a true <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">to life representation since all barks are different, there are no two alike.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuknX82Y7hs4h0mInNG8D346GRPMfDa2V-9h-tCx_Bk3k_ZIEGfTZv5FphaSzDGKAIZC2gB5iFUzbfHiFS-2tFs6WF4FRg6VXCeLo0hhmnJLbu2_bqrMg7SN6Too2M_Cs4U0bGpMptTlA/s1600/IMG_2581+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1529" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuknX82Y7hs4h0mInNG8D346GRPMfDa2V-9h-tCx_Bk3k_ZIEGfTZv5FphaSzDGKAIZC2gB5iFUzbfHiFS-2tFs6WF4FRg6VXCeLo0hhmnJLbu2_bqrMg7SN6Too2M_Cs4U0bGpMptTlA/s320/IMG_2581+%25282%2529.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pencil Sketch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I did a wash of various colors in vertical striae applications which was an attempt to emphasize the upward growth of the tree.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LjUqEUTztj4-HI7WfpH0WjBKMhXtvz7BJs8W9ZgRmP3znKuNl4JIJckoRvhE3ApXsx09x7qkA5Oh_uTpQ6RQF50G92GiQz1hRrQCMjgJvOBx4FYFt0p5ChEhXMUD_SCmOiBjGK4ttNnG/s1600/IMG_2603%2528Edited%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="1600" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LjUqEUTztj4-HI7WfpH0WjBKMhXtvz7BJs8W9ZgRmP3znKuNl4JIJckoRvhE3ApXsx09x7qkA5Oh_uTpQ6RQF50G92GiQz1hRrQCMjgJvOBx4FYFt0p5ChEhXMUD_SCmOiBjGK4ttNnG/s320/IMG_2603%2528Edited%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laying medium and dark tones to the underpainting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>
The next step was to apply the medium tones and then the dark tones for the nooks and crannies of the bark. Most of the underpainting will be used as the light tones.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__rR2z7ru5lwT77aZQ7R8Exdqo_5kHQZhrmt8bMXUTBaC0kPU8Pm_ZG56ihMIhGVSO_AcfdKX6v_bIleQyuFjoF062WcWbzhOzryaw6gQvBAmo79oc5AIONecjtipIaNsBDqRFdP6aolr/s1600/IMG_2682+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__rR2z7ru5lwT77aZQ7R8Exdqo_5kHQZhrmt8bMXUTBaC0kPU8Pm_ZG56ihMIhGVSO_AcfdKX6v_bIleQyuFjoF062WcWbzhOzryaw6gQvBAmo79oc5AIONecjtipIaNsBDqRFdP6aolr/s320/IMG_2682+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree Bark Study</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Although, I painted the tree bark in watercolor, I was more interested <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">in what its outcome would be when I transform the painting to black and white. Would I be successful with my use of value, one of the important elements of art. Value creates an illusion of depth and highlights and shadows with its play of darks and lights. Most artists are very gifted with manipulating values to make their paintings successful. I am not, so this is a great exercise for me.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkEmj0OEaJabjiAUa3F4DQfL1udkUpRXXHSshkIKhyWvtLpv1bKZL35qAddnuWf_4ZfcYvb8bXK_25W8sqca3SOMZcvYJhKfvoosauVpZkSpNN9OlxpLvEuW9eaGg1brjhZw_3I30EPBF/s1600/tree+bark2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkEmj0OEaJabjiAUa3F4DQfL1udkUpRXXHSshkIKhyWvtLpv1bKZL35qAddnuWf_4ZfcYvb8bXK_25W8sqca3SOMZcvYJhKfvoosauVpZkSpNN9OlxpLvEuW9eaGg1brjhZw_3I30EPBF/s320/tree+bark2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree Bark Study in Black and White</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I did sketch a whole patch of tree bark for the painting but I chose to leave a section unfinished to give the eye a rest and provide contrast. Hopefully, it made it more interesting.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b06400; font-size: medium;"></span><br />jojo sabalvaro tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823593650174785959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043757208050201516.post-60765280827023615422018-12-06T13:03:00.001-06:002018-12-11T20:32:09.371-06:00Portrait of Kuya Ruds - The Man I Call Boss<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5HXBsPQ3f6qL7YOe39jk3khqmC3YIQkEwCk8_eIL1cLViNO7cT5PDb3bW5WOtUWgD4AOd7HR-jv5uPtKdNlAmzMJbmue7P0FDPCvzLx9AFiZ80YUM1NrXcwIQV5doVCI3nSakcPTW_V-/s1600/kruds+final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5HXBsPQ3f6qL7YOe39jk3khqmC3YIQkEwCk8_eIL1cLViNO7cT5PDb3bW5WOtUWgD4AOd7HR-jv5uPtKdNlAmzMJbmue7P0FDPCvzLx9AFiZ80YUM1NrXcwIQV5doVCI3nSakcPTW_V-/s400/kruds+final.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
The Man I Call Boss 2018</div>
<div>
Watercolor on 8"x8" watercolor paper</div>
<div>
jojo sabalvaro tan </div>
<div>
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</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">My
husband, Kuya Ruds, and I celebrated our 48th wedding anniversary yesterday. The years
seemed to have sped through like a roller coaster ride but with so much more
ups than downs. We met in our young 20s in the Philippines, got married and
moved to Chicago where we lived for 47 years. Now in our so called golden age,
we are enjoying retirement in Florida. I know it is such a cliche but we love
it here. We are always thankful to God who made our life together just fall
into place no matter what challenges we faced through the years.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<i>A little history on the Kuya Ruds and Boss monikers, when my friends and I first met, unbeknown at the time, my future husband, we started referring to him as Kuya Ruds. That translates to English as Big or Elder Brother Ruds. I continued to call him Kuya Ruds even after we were married which confused quite a few folks. I got questions like "Is he your husband or your brother?" Outside of his business acquaintances, almost everyone refer to him as Kuya Ruds. I also call him as Boss. My friends would always joke that I do so to get my way. Eventually, all our nieces and nephews as well as grandnieces and grand nephews call him Boss. Now here, I know the kids quickly realized at a very young age when they call him Boss they can get their way or whatever they want from him.</i></div>
<i></i><br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In
honor of our anniversary, I wanted to paint a portrait of my husband. I came
across the California Vibe style of portraiture by <a href="https://lobenbergart.com/">David Lobenberg </a> (press name to link) that was
featured in the December 2018 issue of Watercolor Artist. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zqfBzWaXyZPatCVIpn0QXnql6eAj6GTIr-ie9-98QSo_Ho__mY7MORf6bM6lJWvQRTacUpTtJX06lHpOSDb9sDlGXs7-V5wZo0Oyl3lukFXAU0-NgGU62jHoHHXbZOIKsLjgIn-NFxWx/s1600/calivibe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zqfBzWaXyZPatCVIpn0QXnql6eAj6GTIr-ie9-98QSo_Ho__mY7MORf6bM6lJWvQRTacUpTtJX06lHpOSDb9sDlGXs7-V5wZo0Oyl3lukFXAU0-NgGU62jHoHHXbZOIKsLjgIn-NFxWx/s320/calivibe.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the page from the December 2018 Watercolor Magazine where I was inspired by the California Vibe style by David Lobenberg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The colors and the brush
strokes are vibrant and loose. I typically don’t paint that way. So as a
challenge, I decided to try to paint the portrait in this style. </span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I
took a picture of Kuya Ruds and printed it in black and white to see the
values.</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-KlvroARYm1ScC9plgyXgCltUsUwvoaXeeZ5M0YZubnM8J6zgxvQgJuLYx-VD0_ekCc5A-V9eIh5HfGg3fc33ci_40z01lJHPHCsDmhpXhuKRa9t7JF892WQp2uOOI5ItsTxY60U410d/s1600/IMG_2645+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-KlvroARYm1ScC9plgyXgCltUsUwvoaXeeZ5M0YZubnM8J6zgxvQgJuLYx-VD0_ekCc5A-V9eIh5HfGg3fc33ci_40z01lJHPHCsDmhpXhuKRa9t7JF892WQp2uOOI5ItsTxY60U410d/s320/IMG_2645+%25282%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My reference photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I
did a sketch from the reference photo. On the sketch, I indicated where the
highlights and shadows were generally located. Unfortunately, the reference
photo did not show a lot of contrast.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyFBLvfMmDz019PZ_rfoWyjHqssDuoXY55r6uv32aQd6lYauOlemiSsyASYZ9S6PjKteii93JWqQRBpP3LRia8M-7-I6XewCAS2ya1WXSpggQZOmZAE6yLU_2IO0RxpeedtbnRVF3p9nS/s1600/IMG_2686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyFBLvfMmDz019PZ_rfoWyjHqssDuoXY55r6uv32aQd6lYauOlemiSsyASYZ9S6PjKteii93JWqQRBpP3LRia8M-7-I6XewCAS2ya1WXSpggQZOmZAE6yLU_2IO0RxpeedtbnRVF3p9nS/s320/IMG_2686.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My initial sketch where I marked up the highlights and shadows</td></tr>
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</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The color palette included reds, blues, yellows and greens. I manipulated the hues
and tones by mixing the 4 colors and controlling the water I used. Plus, I
tried to paint on an easel holding the brush towards the end of the handle to
encourage looser strokes. This was not as comfortable for me as I am more used
to working close to the paper, as if I am writing. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GwUASHwlFXfcDAMgQFpsyExDBU41EigL4KMpKFzO1DnVlQhWyV5kzgD1CrpO5BfDQLcFR0iUHTprHn-SKpUR7iFJc3vWdyvxw96IJK4W5QbPe_5wNKUcY2FHiqrMon3kc0EysRE2f1ZM/s1600/IMG_2694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GwUASHwlFXfcDAMgQFpsyExDBU41EigL4KMpKFzO1DnVlQhWyV5kzgD1CrpO5BfDQLcFR0iUHTprHn-SKpUR7iFJc3vWdyvxw96IJK4W5QbPe_5wNKUcY2FHiqrMon3kc0EysRE2f1ZM/s320/IMG_2694.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laying in some of my colors of the primary colors red, blue and yellow with some green.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The painting was completed in time for our anniversary and Boss said it looks like
him. It is still a far cry from David Lobenberg’s California Vibe style but I
think it may pass as an acceptable first try. I wanted to be looser and more vibrant but
I decided to stop fiddling with the painting. There is a point in time when
painting, especially with watercolors, where the next stroke will destroy the
painting completely. I believe no artist is completely happy with their work,
they just have to know when to stop working on it to avoid ruining it in the end.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUw7rk50zXcH690WYSFBtCZWDXM2VDLiD4RQnG8T7S3QaRClNOCVfHbBhA1d13-80qKEpco-A1O-df3ecsjfwqS462kg9h3gv8Zm1525GI70W4vZac5hix0860S1T2M4DBTM4Rbwnc_9F5/s1600/IMG_2734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUw7rk50zXcH690WYSFBtCZWDXM2VDLiD4RQnG8T7S3QaRClNOCVfHbBhA1d13-80qKEpco-A1O-df3ecsjfwqS462kg9h3gv8Zm1525GI70W4vZac5hix0860S1T2M4DBTM4Rbwnc_9F5/s320/IMG_2734.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the paint to dry.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I remembered this quote from somewhere and I thought it perfectly represents this painting. I'm afraid the name of the author eluded me but thankfully a good friend's was able to research that it was from a book of quotes - Vividly Vague, by Marikit dR Camba.</span></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;">"Breathe next to me. And I will capture a piece of your soul along with mine."</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><i></i><i></i><br /></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><b></b>jojo sabalvaro tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823593650174785959noreply@blogger.com1