Art and Around Hongkong

I visited HK around less than a month ago and was excited to see from outside 

K11 mall window the interior of what looks like an art workshop space. 

The crafty person inside me was too excited to pass up the opportunity not to check-out what it was.

The place is called ART AROUND.

Unfortunately it was closed at the time I went there but I still decided to look around.

(sorry for the blurred photos)

This photo shows their Porcelain and Clay session rates. 

For a 2 hours porcelain workshop 

for 1 person is HKD300.00, 2-3 persons it's HKD270.00 

and it gets cheaper as your group gets bigger.

Groups of any size are welcome for birthdays, parties, etc.

Here are some porcelain creations on display.

I also found a baby themed one online its so cute not to share...

photo credit: http://prochats.she.com/weekend-go/files/2012/02/ART-Around.jpg

I am scheduled to visit HK again by the end of the month 

and hopefully this time I can get to see place better and maybe join in a session of 2 hours.

If you are ever in HK do visit Art Around at K11 Mall in Hanoi Road, Tsimshatsui, Hongkong.

p.s. I was not paid to post this. =)

have a great week ahead!

-the weekend artist-

The Weekend Artist Series #3-02: Wedding DIYs

Oh how I love doing DIYs specially when I had my wedding!

Even the ones we coordinate we try to put in some DIY 

or personal touch into making it feel more special.

Here are my fave DIYs because they are all from my wedding!

For the 1st Photo above we used some of our favorite paintings 

by Masters as the table numbers. 

It symbolizes both our passion for the arts 

and where we met which is while studying Fine Arts in a University.

This is a packaging I made for the entourage Save-the Dates. 

It's made of craft envelopes which i tied with twines and beads. 

I printed out labels with the logo 'The Secret Garden Party' 

which I found on the internet and added the 'keys' logo with our initials on it.

Here is my DIY project Save-The-Date for our wedding entourage. 

It's a mini corkboard which you can hang on your desk. 

I made different versions of this for the entourage

and mini versions for the rest of the guests I often see 

while others got cards in the mail. 

The ones who live really far got an e-invite version of this.

Here are the menu cards DIY.

One side contains images which we also used for our actual invites.

Last but not the least I designed the gowns for my wedding.

I'll probably just save that for another post. =)

But before I say have a great weekend 

I wanna leave you with a last photo 

from my cousin's wedding in Hawaii.

This photo just shows you a glimpse of the back design.

It looks really great specially because my aunt made it for her.

I'm specially proud of this eventhough I didn't design it 

because I helped source all the materials with my aunt. 

She brought all the sourced materials back to the US.

It's a special family DIY you can say!

P.S. I was also the one who designed the invite for this wedding.

See the photo of the invite here(white invite)

Have a great weekend!

-the weekend artist-

WOYWW: Mixed Media 'Beach Love' WIP

I'm back for my 2nd week here at WOYWW! I had fun last week!

My desk shows my current project on my mini easle.

It's a mixed media project I am working on with the photo transfer stage already done.  

It is currently on the drying stage after a layer of Liquitex gel medium. 

Once it dries I'll be painting in some more details in acrylic. 

So you see my acrylic paints all laid out and ready once it dries.

I'll post the finished project here over the weekend.

I want to do more projects using this style as well.

How has your week been so far? 

Mine is pretty hectic with all my work deadlines! 

Can't wait for the weekend though and a much needed vacation trip! Yey!

Happy wednesday!

btw, If you don't have an idea what WOYWW is all about do visit Julia over at
http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com/
the brains behind this wonderfully artistic event =)

the weekend artist series: Food Art #1-01: Recipe Art

Here's the finished Food Recipe Art I have been working on. 

You can find the details of the recipe in the painting but to those 

who want a clearer copy of the recipe here is the one my mom uses:

Chicken Pita Pockets

1. Heat oil(achuete oil 1/4 cup). Saute onions(1 sliced red onion) and garlic. 

Stir in shredded chicken breast(1 chicken breast, shredded). Season and add salt and pepper

2. Dip: combine 1/2 cup all-purpose cream, 1 tbsp vinegar or lemon, 2 tbsp garlic(minced)

3. Assemble prepared chicken into heated pita pocket. Place mango slices and cucumber(seeded and sliced). Add a drizzle of Garlic dip.

It's quite a healthy alternative snack or even meal 

because it is quite filling specially with corn.

I also dedicate this post to my friends over at the 

FOOD REVO PHILIPPINES in support of their crusade for healthier eating. 

Do stop over and like their page to get more details for the MAY 19th event. 

My dear friend joanie aka THE ARTIST CHEF is the Philippines Ambassador. 

Do check out her page as well.

Food Revo Philippines FB fanpage:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Food-Revolution-Philippines/360648807306139

The Artist Chef:

http://artist-chef.blogspot.com/

going back to my artwork...here are some progress shots:

I used watercolor for the fill and used Letraset Tria for the outlines.

I finished it with a metallic spray to create a 'vintage' look.

I had fun doing this artwork and will go out today 

to have it framed for my mom's kitchen.

have a great weekend!

-the weekend artist-

the sketchbook project: Winter Inspired Pages WIP

Here's another WIP from my Sketchbook Project.

It is a self-portrait inspired by winter. I am also using it for my blog banner(see banner for the digitally enhanced WIP version).

Again I started with a rough sketch. 

I would normally recommend for you to make your sketch as detailed as possible 

so you can render it more properly.

Anyway, as you can see with my previous work posts I am more of a go with the flow artist!

I painted the face first which some would normally leave last.

Here's a pic of the WIP. 

I am not exactly happy with it and hopefully I'll still have time to revise it before submitting. 

I have a long way to go though =(.

have a great weekend!

-the weekend artist-

the sketchbook project: Autumn inspired pages WIP

Finally got around to posting updates to my sketchbook project pages.

Been super delayed due to my impromptu Vacation and other work stuff.

Here's the progress of what I have worked on inspired by Autumn, Drake and my sister(Paolo thinks she doesn't look like her).

I used Prang watercolor and 3 kinds of brushes: A chinese brush, Sakura and Namura brushes in diff sizes.

The Paper of the sketchbook is not actually that good for watercolor so I switched to using my own paper for some of the other pages.

I usually start off with a rough sketch(super-rough sketch!).

I usually paint in the face first or leave it for last.

The leaves actually make me think of waffles...

I think I need to correct that but I don't know how now=(.

My significant other, also known as my best critique 

is advising me to add another color...

Anyway, I finished it using the same colors 

and am deciding later on how to improve it.

Happy Easter Egg Hunting!

-the weekend artist-

the weekend artist artist fave art materials: A digital toy camera

photo from http://leicarumors.com/2010/12/15/leica-look-a-like.aspx/

As I have mentioned in my previous post my craving for lomography 

has not been sated at all.

My hubby has been saying that it is really not worth my money since it's only a 'toy' being the 'expert' on cameras. 

He has been into photography way before I met him, so maybe he is right. 

So I settled on a digital toy camera which is a Vivitar Vivicam 

specifically the one on the left.

 I bought it with a fabric strap(quite similar to the one in the picture above in tan color). They often describe this model as a Leica-look-alike. 

I fell in love with it's vintage look.

Here are some sample shots from the same model of camera. 

All photos taken from http://p-gear.com/SHOP/viv8027.html

I actually bought the cam for  around HKD 800.00 in hongkong from Log-On.

The quality can't compare though to a good Digital camera but it does serve it's purpose generating lomo-ish shots. 

p.s. Im still wanting a Diana lomo camera...hopefully soon!

goodbye for now...

-the weekend artist- 

the weekend artist inspiration #11: A short trip through Hongkong

As you read this I have already arrived in Manila for more than a month already. Passing by the City of Angels on my way back!(more on that one on my next posts). A lot has happened since...been to Hongkong and back.

A trip to hongkong is never complete without a visit to Shamshuipo. A shopping mecca for craft and fashion lovers like me. I always feel inspired just browsing thru the stores.

I've been hoarding art and crafts materials from every visit. Buttons, tassels, paper materials, vintage stickers, swatches of fabrics, and all other what-nots.

Visiting Hongkong has always been inspiring. Their appreciation for fashion and arts is seen everywhere. Whenever I go visit my love for photography has always been revived.
I have always drooled over Lomography whenever I am there. 
I saw this cute store along granville and I really wanna go back on my next trip and probably finally buy a special Diana edition I have been pinning away for! (*sigh*) 

It's going to be a long and inspiring weekend...have a great one!

-the weekend artist-

the weekend artist inspiration #7: heArt and Away

November, Christmas and New Year's passed by in a blur for me.

 It went by fast while preparing and actually leaving my work, my life in manila for awhile.

I decided to travel halfway on the other side of the world 

to be with my sister who is recovering from an illness. 

It was quite a roller-coaster of emotions 

and nothing will prepare you for something that happens like it. 

Life has a way of waking you up when your feeling all settled and content. 

Now that she is on the road to recovery 

I now get to appreciate more the wonderful things around me.

I am currently on my 3rd week here in Boston.

Daily walks outdoors has become a general part of my routine

(except on a rainy or flurry-snowish day...which happened today). 

The views are breathtaking and you certainly feel 

that you are in another part of the world

(especially the weather...hey I'm from a tropical country!).

I actually got the coughs and colds on my first week 

while my body adjusted to the weather.

It actually reminds me of London

... the trees, the landscape the architecture and the people.

A beautiful angel found in Boston Common on a beautiful day.

It says: A public spirited citizen whose great gift to the city of Boston provided for the creation of works of public utility and beauty for the use and enjoyment of the inhabitants.

Here's something artistically inspiring which I wish I could do for 2012!  

Do something creative every day.

And lastly a very inspiring New Year's Resolution sign: "Eat More Ice Cream!" =).

Boston has inspired me in more ways than I can imagine 

and more than that it had me thinking about a lot of things in my life. 

I'm glad I made the decision not only to be here for my sister 

(plus it helps me sleep better knowing and seeing that she is doing ok)

but as well as for myself.

I'll definitely miss the place and the people!

Goodnight Boston!

Goodbye for now!

-the weekend artist-

the weekend artist inspiration #6: creative materials

Here are my current obsessions! My newest books and gadgets.
I bought this book entitled 'Make Your Creative Dreams Real' by Sark.
Actually it's the subtitle that caught my attention...'A Plan for Procrastinators, Perfectionists, Busy People, and people who would really rather Sleep All Day'.
That's me! Basically(from what I have read so far) it helps you select a creative dream/s that you want to make a reality. It's more of a moral booster with step-by-step or weekly tasks suggested to help you be on your path there. I bought it specifically on a not so inspiring day =(.

My 2nd book is '200 Projects to Get You into Fashion Design'(though I am already working in it!). I bought it because the exercises looked fun in a non-like-my-job way(don't get me wrong i love my job). it's just that the exercises are not related to my job so it makes it fun for me. Plus the exercises I do here I can share here since it's not confidential =).

My fave of all is my new cam which was given to me as a gift(thanks pao!). Finally I have an option to my point-shoot camera(which I still love since I can carry it everyday).
These are my current obsessions! Plus am reading 'A Game of Thrones' since I saw the HBO series I'm hooked!


-the weekend artist-
Ciao!

the weekend artist inspiration #5: my blogging hiatus

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I've been on a blogging hiatus for almost a month! So my day job kept me away for the whole time. I was busy with Fashion Week since we mount a big show almost every year. From selecting models, selecting clothes, meetings w directors, stylists, etc. To mentoring and assigning tasks to designers and assistants. And aside from that I needed to go to Hongkong to source for the next season and meet up with suppliers. We also had to visit China for a short buying trip(the picture from my hotel bedroom is the one above) and cross back to HK on the way back.

I had to go home by myself so I can make it on-time for a mtg the next day. My flight was postponed TWICE! So I had to stay in the airport for more than 6 hours doing nothing!

I ended up buying another journal and a photography book to pass the time!

Oh did I mention that I finally got a DSLR camera!

So that's what kept me away from blogging. Clearly my work demands so much time from me but I just can't say I don't love what I'm doing even the stressful part I have come to love!

It is one of my greatest inspiration and source of happiness as well... to do what i'm doing and to sharing what I know to others.

-the weekend artist-

Am back!

the weekend artist series #3-01 Fashion Design : Chiffon Dress

 

I love weddings and have been planning some for close friends and families 

together with my friends for a few years now. 

I do cry almost always and actually tonight am attending one again. 

Every year I search and buy how many dresses for these occassions 

and being a designer am quite frustrated. 

So I have decided I will be designing my dresses once again 

since I have been complacent for the past few years 

on making designs for myself but focusing on work requirements 

and requests from family and friends.

I made this design for an afternoon or garden wedding. 

I made the lining shorter and the fabric will be chiffon.

I haven't sourced it yet but I generally want it 

with patterns of birds or flora but generally monochromatic with hints of color. 

I want it to look fresh and breezy. I actually don't know what weddings or occassions 

I'll be attending soon but am sure I'll find an occassion for this.

I used colored pencils and pens for the outlines. 

p.s. This is my first sketch on my fashion sketchbook from my previous posts.

the weekend artist inspiration #4 Planner Collection

My love for paper extends to planners, diarys and what-nots! 

This vintage one with craft paper is from my sister whose friend found it in a thrift shop abroad.

I actually haven't written anything yet in it because of it's sentimental value.

Plus am saving it for a special scrapbook of sorts in the future.

These two I bought at a christmas bazaar a few years back 

when I was still in love with colorful stuffs(I actually still am but keep it now at a minimum).

These both are korean journals.

This one was from one of my designers from work he got it on his trip to korea.

I actually did the DIY thingy I explained on a previous post where 

I used glue and varnish to add a protective coating to the cover since it's white.

Well, that's it all my unused planners as of the moment. 

I do also collect Starbucks diary which I use for work 

and have a Moleskine which I currently use now for everyday.
I also keep one as a diary scrapbook which I think is too personal to share here.

Though not really related to art(unlike my scrapbooks and sketchbook posts). 

These planners do serve it's purpose in my life. 

A balancing act between my designing day job, my weekend artist blog, 

my social calendar and my errands.

My calendar is going to be full soon so I hope I do get posts in soon! 

Fashion week is here so I'm gonna be busy. 

Plus it's my birthday tomorrow! 

I've got tons up my sleeves...plans for a big trip next year, an out-of-the-country work trip, 

and school related stuff! am so excited!

gotta go!

-the weekend artist-