Mientras Tanto

Mientras Tanto, is the title of the art show at Cube Gallery in Cebu, Philippines.  It means, "in the meantime" in Visayan, the native language of Dumaguete City.  A group of seven artists from Dumaguete City have been invited to show artworks at the new gallery.  I'm delighted to be among this group to display my recent works entitled, I hear you, I see you, I feel you.  Mientras Tanto debuts September 14, 2013.  

Photographed with my artworks: I hear you, I see you, I feel you is part of the Balloon Series.  It is a meditation in art making which unveils layers of colors and shapes by removing paint from the canvas.  - Photo by Hersley-Ven Casero

Hersley-Ven Casero is another participating artist for Mientras Tanto at Cube Gallery.  His work entitled, 3,2,1 is part of the Helmet Series.  It is inspired by metro Dumaguete as the motorcycle capital of the Philippines.  The helmet is an object for protection and a reminder that we all need to protect ourselves as we direct our course in life.  We are not just numbers, but individuals with a purpose.

Progress photos for Mientras Tanto.  Several layers of painting went into these works.

The poster above, was created for a show at KRI Restaurant in Dumaguete in August.  Take Off is a group show featuring three artists: Iris Armogenia, Hersley-Ven Casero, and myself.  Several works of the Balloon Series are now displayed at a few locations around Dumaguete: at The Bean Connection - West Portal, and at Kri Restaurant.  

And mientras tanto, a collaborative work between Hersley and I, a gift for two talented musicians, Jay Cyrus and Sky Louise, from Dumaguete who are getting married (today, September 8, 2013).  It was requested by the wedding couple that we all dress up in 1920's attire.  What a fun theme for a wedding!  Mientras tanto, celebrating and enjoying life in Dumaguete City, Philippines! - Photo by Kenan Tuada

The HA-experiment Gallery Debut and Housewarming

February was densely packed with events every week, keeping me spinning in all directions.  I kicked off the month with the HA? Project in Bais City, meanwhile rehearsing for the Vagina Monologues and performing on stage and dancing for One Billion Rising for Valentine's Day. As a teacher and bike advocate, I organized a bike rack design competition during the Dumaguete Exposition, and to wrap up this busy month I opened my new residence to debut the HA? Experiment.

In January, the university gave me the opportunity to move out of my current residence at Balay Sa Alumni, and relocate to the university housing condominiums called, Greyhound Village.  This move came along with the commitment to lead the next Estudio Damgo design/build project, signing onto a full year to live and teach in the Philippines.

My new home is located about 6km from Dumaguete business core and inland from the coast.  It's higher in elevation and more rural setting where there are breezes to catch and less noise from pedicabs and the bustle of city life.  Being a country girl at heart, I love the natural surroundings of bamboo, palms, grass, and listening to the birds.  At night I get a very clear view of the star-filled sky.  It's peaceful to come home after a busy day of teaching and the heat, noise and congestion in Dumaguete.

Because the house is a two-story, two bedroom unit, there is more than enough space for my limited belongings.  It's the largest space I've ever lived in on my own without other renters.    The layout makes it a perfect space to live/work.  In this case, I'm teaming up with Hersley-Ven Casero to create a working art studio and exhibition space where we will have a gallery opening every-other month.  Hersley and I have coined this the HA? Experiment.

On February 28, the HA? Experiment debuted Hersley and my first art works created for the HA? Experiment.  We had nearly 20 friendly patrons visit the house that night.  Hersley's uncle, brother and cousin played drums, flute, and other hand crafted instruments filling the house with a earthy beat and adding an invigorating element to the party!  I am very excited about these developments with this new home and art exploration.

Me, standing in the kitchen doorway.  Candles light the windowsill to the kitchen creating an extra glowing dimension welcoming the guests to the debut of the HA? Experiment.  - Photo by Zydore

Everyone gets a turn to drum and dance!  Hersley's uncle, Nicky takes the lead on the drum, pictured far left. - Photo by Zydore

Nicky keeping the rhythm seated in front of Hersley's end of year five panel art work, "The Wind" series. - Photo by Hersley-Ven Casero

Zydore, Nicky, neighbor Carlo, and Jia keep in time.  A balloon landscape painting backdrop is my work-in-progress.  The modern, clean contemporary lines of the condominium space screams gallery space!  High ceilings and white walls encourage large and colorful art works!  - Photo by Hersley-Ven Casero

Girlfriends all pile in the second bedroom and installation room "Room No. 1".  Hersley's "Helmet" series playfully bounce about the wall behind. - Photo by Hersley-Ven Casero

One last all-over shot of the main floor space serving as gallery.  It was a very warm gathering and art opening!  Thanks everyone. - Photo by Hersley-Ven Casero

The HA? Project

One of my first weeks after moving to Dumaguete, I was introduced to Hersley-Ven Casero, a visual artist and manager of the Creative Department and art instructor at Foundation University.  When I met Hersley, he was organizing a collaborative art show for the VIVA EXCON "Pagpahiluna" Biennale in November 2012.  He invited me, along with 100+ others, to paint a rendition of the "Laughing Boy" portrait to display at the Biannale.  This was such a fun project, and it reminded me that I am a painter/artist and that I should continue to create art.  You can view my painting in this blog post. My HA? Painting

Today, the 100+ art works painted for the HA? project were a great success!  36 selected portraits (mine included) were displayed at Kri restaurant in Dumaguete, and purchased by an art patron from Manila. These works are now hanging in a metropolitan condo in Manila. (HA?: "Laughing Son of Man" sold for P3,500 or @ $85) 

After having such success with the first HA? project, Hersley is making it a life-long mission to continue elevating the arts by collaborating on more HA? project exhibits.  Since then, Hersley has worked with two more groups; where he has motivated disadvantaged boys from Dumaguete, and organized the largest on-the-spot art competition in Bais City, a town 50 kilometers north of Dumaguete.  I was asked to be the judge chairman for this most recent HA? project in Bais City. 

I traveled to Bais City with Hersley and photographer and assistant Benzi for two days.  On the first day, we organized 127 youth from Bais to paint their versions of the "Laughing Boy".  A full day, but a pleasure to see how three primary colors; red, blue, and yellow and a touch of white acrylic can transform into so many hues and shades.  The following day, the event started around 2pm where mayor Karen Villanueva spoke about the importance of art followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony.  Soon after, I announced the winners in two categories: elementary and high school.  Afterward, the contestants took their pictures beside the paintings and with Hersley, myself, mayor Villanueva, and parents.  It was a high energy day leaving a huge grin on my face.  After Hersley and I returned from Bais City, one of the most popular radio shows, Energy Star, asked to interview us about the event.  We were broadcast-ed live throughout Dumaguete early Thursday morning, February 7, 2013.  This was a very busy and fulfilling week, and I'm excited to see where the HA? will go next.

Visit the Facebook page to follow more on the HA? project. HA?

The HA? project displayed works for the VIVA EXCON "Pagpahiluna" Biennale 2012 - Photo by Paul Benzi Florendo

Disadvantaged boys holding up their HA? versions in Dumaguete City. - Photos by Hersley-Ven Casero

The HA? project in Bais City.  127 artists from multiple elementary and high schools in Bais City. - Photo by Paul Benzi Florendo

Mayor Karen Villanueva cuts the ribbon to honor the grand launching of the 21st National Arts Month in Bais City.  Hersley-Ven Casero and I are pictured right of Karen to assist the ribbon cutting. Behind mayor Villanueva is Emmylou Paulio Violeta, curator and host of the Bais City art show. - Photo by Paul Benzi Florendo

 Announcing the top ten finalists of the elementary school age category.  - Photo by Benzi

 Hersley awards the first prize winner a HA? project t-shirt with Karen Villanueva.  - Photo by Benzi

Hersley and I pictured with the first prize winner of the high school category in front of the wall of "Laughing Boy" portraits.  - Photo by Benzi

Taking my picture with one of the top ten finalists from the elementary school age category.  I purchased this painting for 500pp from the young artist, I couldn't resist such talent from an adorable 3rd grader.  - Photo by Benzi

I got a BIKE!!... and other musings

Yes!  I am independently mobile now after purchasing a mountain bike from a local shop.  One of the teachers at Foundation is an avid biker and knows a good place where the shop will build a bike to your specifications.  And considering a local Filipino making those requests, the bike is reasonably priced.  The first peddling destination forced me out of bed at 5am Friday, to beat the heat.  I met up with Ray, Amy, and Mark (the teacher) to go trail riding up to the next town west of Dumaguete, called Valencia. (Map reference)  The total ride from my house to Valencia was only about 6 miles, but because the terrain lead us through a patchwork of residential yards, cow pastures, and basically the rural beginnings of foothills, was challenging in the humidity, to say the least.  It put a smile on my face, however, dodging coconut husks and maneuvering past baby chicks and livestock loosely tied to makeshift fence posts or palm trees.

Transporting a newly, purchased oscillating fan for my bedroom.  It was bulky and awkward, but a successful delivery on the new bike!

 After that early morning workout, we decided to stay indoors during the hotter part of the day to create paintings for a collaborative show arranged by an emerging Dumaguete artist, Hersley-Ven Casero.  The portrait sketch of the boy in the painting will be rendered 100 times by different artists.  Because the overall concept of this work is about stealing images off of the web and claiming the work as your own artistic property, I chose to appropriate, Rene Magritte's "Son of Man".  To the right, Amy paints in the manner of Roy Lichtenstein.  Well, done.  I thoroughly enjoyed this assignment and working with acrylics again after so many years.  Can't wait to see the final 100 pieces all hung together in a couple of weeks.

On Saturday, Ray, Amy, and I biked 18 Kilometers south of Dumaguete, to the Dauin Marine Reserve.  (Map reference)  This was a beautiful place to relax by the Philippine Sea and flipper around the coral reefs.  As you can imagine, hovering above the reefs to observe the life below, was a silent and mesmerizing respite for the senses.  I could float there all day and get lost in this world.  This experience inspired the sketch below, but it doesn't compare to the brilliant colors of dark, velvety blues and ultra violet whites contrasting against brilliant neon yellows.  The corals themselves were not like you see on TV, they were a murky, earthy hue.  A wonderful day indeed, timed perfectly before the beginning of the first day of classes.