me with the Swatch crew

Anyhoodles, here’s my artwork up close . It was traditionally lined in pen & ink then, digitally colored on Adobe Photoshop .

Here’s the writeup I composed to explain my concept & ideas:

In my Tiger Art, 2010, the year of the metal tiger is interpreted as a fierce warrior and tiger in metal armor riding across a dazzling sun, billowy clouds and a rainbow-like sky. Furthermore, the artwork is framed in metal to support the metal theme.

The warrior is depicted raising our flag as he rides with the tiger onward, strong, confident, determined and fearless – Filipino traits admired by many, proven time and again with every trial our nation has endured and overcome… Man and beast are two very different creatures with very different characteristics, but put together, they make up a powerfully symbolic unit.

Finally, the sun, clouds and sky represent the year ahead of us – dynamic, dazzlingly bright, promising and filled with positive energy.

Convincing enough ? What sayest thou ? Judging will be on February 27 & the winners will be officially announced on March 5 .

I’m the type of person who can’t seem to stop at mid-step in any given situation . In other words, I can’t help but finish anything I’ve already started on.

So, despite missing the Darksiders’ End of Days Contest deadline last December 17, I still went on & completed my entry. The contest required an artists’ view of the end of the world a.k.a. Apocalypse. I elected the Horsemen of the Apocalypse as subjects to my interpretation. I opted for a magical/dreamlike feel over an intimidating/fearsome one. I guess I wanted to make the Apocalypse less of a bummer .

Now, I’m on track for the Swatch Year of the Metal Tiger contest . My entry is about 50% finished & the deadline is February 17 yet. So, I’m positive that I’d hand in my entry on time! Wish me luck, I hope I win 1^st prize – I’ll give it my all !

Time does fly & a new year invites us to count our blessings & recall what we have accomplished the past year…

2009 was a blessed & productive year for me: ¹ a dozen pen & ink illustrations, ² new dog Chewey, ³ new car Bogart & ⁴ business’ excellent sales performance.

Time does fly & a new year invites us to count our friends’ blessings & recall what they have accomplished the past year…

2009 was a year of love & new beginnings: ² Rhea/Josh, ² Sharm/Marc, ³ Menchie/Rommel, ⁴ Reah/Carlo pledged & started their own families.

I am tempted to leave out the disasters our nation has experienced, but I shall give them mentions on positive note: Typhoon Ondoy & Pepeng have breathed their last .

2010, I welcome you with faith that I’ve got Him on my side & that gives me courage to go after everything that I desire .

Para mio, I prefer to sign-up for membership at sites that I feel I can keep up with for years on end. Relevance to topics that I have a huge interest in is a big factor – namely: art & friends.

Art-wise, I go for DeviantArt, Coroflot, Elfwood & Manga Workshop.
Friends-wise, I go for Facebook. In between, I go for Twitter, which is a way to keep in touch with co-artists and friends, alike !

I mentioned in previous posts that I’ve been spending much time on Twitter. Well, I’ve just recently shifted my “addiction” to DeviantArt. I must say that it’s a very art-focused community. There are artists with great talent over there & they make up a dynamic, creative & inspiring atmosphere.

DeviantArt has numerous features that it could be confusing to navigate in but once you get used to it, it’s fun The most interesting feature on DeviantArt is that there are various art contests to join with generous prizes proffered! I am seriously considering joining the Darksiders’ Contest. The deadline is on December 17, so I have ample time to plan & draw up my entry .

Anyhoodles…

I’ve left off blogging again but this time for reasons other than Twitter . So much has been happening offline & I’ve only found time to write today.

ART: I’ve been experimenting with digital coloring . I believe I’ve already progressed much in pen & ink drawing that it’s time I take up another skill.

FAMILY: I’m strengthening ties with my sister & her family.

BUSINESS: Capital has doubled ! More watches to buy & sell, more customers to please, more work to do!

Blogging has fortunately got the better of me. I missed writing paragraphs . How has everybody been ?

I frequented the drawing table & as a result, I have penned & inked some drawings on days when I’m free. I completed Fairy Queen, Elemental & my latest – Lucifer in Chains.

What do you think? Right now, I’m working on something new – Centaur King. Now that I think about it, I just completed Fairy Queen. I must unconsciously be infatuated with royalty . I’ll let it rest as coincidence (I’ve never been a fan of Prince Harry). Anyhoodles, here’s Phase 1 of my current drawing project.

I would type more about my art & the revamp on my art portfolio but I haven’t any will to stay awake. So, I’m leaving you the link to I-Illustrate. I hope you see positive changes!

A willow deeply scarred,
Somebody’s broken heart,
& a washed out dream.

Goodbye, Michael Jackson. I hope you find peace.

I am a child of the 80’s, after all. He made up most of it (him & Barbie). I have to say my piece.

I guess, if he had only pursued & fought for his love for Tatiana Yvonne Thumbzten, things would have been different.

Business-wise: We are focusing on our Girard-Perregaux Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges. So, we are channeling all of our positive energies into closing a deal with the right buyer ASAP.

Art-wise: I completed The Count & His Muse. It was a thrill & an honor to discover that it has won attention at Elfwood & has been featured as Moderators’ Choice. This just goes to show that my Elfwood gallery is doing very well , yet my Deviantart gallery is still waiting for its share of the limelight .

I’m now working on The Fairy Queen. I’m on phase 4 already. I believe I’ll complete it by phase 6! Since I’m still developing it, I’m open to suggestions & ideas.

I was quite pleased with this character that I am currently conceptualizing his sequel, The Count and His Muse. Here’s a working sketch. I update my progress on drawings at my art portfolio .

I am a great admirer of Mr. Amano’s work , especially those he created for the Vampire Hunter D series. I like how his images are altogether mysterious, graceful and romantic. It is as if his art is that of dark, hidden Fairy Tales from long ago , that have been rediscovered. I hope to meet him someday and get his autograph !

Here are a few pages from his book, Amano: The Collected Art of Vampire Hunter D .