the weekend artist inspiration #12: The Happiness Project

How has your week been so far? Mine has started out stressful at work and with me ending up all day at home the day after sleeping from fever-like symptoms. So here I am still wide awake since I slept almost the whole day in. 

Im currently reading 'The Happiness Project' in my quest to find true happiness though I think I am a fairly happy person I just need to find answers to my life questionsI don't make sense right?!!). One of my life questions is how far do I want to pursue art in my career? Whether I put in more hours to learning? Learning what?

I'm planning to start on my 'Happiness Project' in august so I bought this Little Prince organizer specifically to keep track on my progress.

I started doodling on it already along with some quotes from the book that I don't want to forget. Again another notebook/organizer to add to my growing collection.

Before I end this post I just wanna share to all that Graphika Manila 2012 is here again on August 11, 2012 at the SMX. I am a big fan of digital art since I started my career out in that field. I'm planning to go if my schedule will accommodate it. 

For more info on Graphika Manila 2012 just visit their link here http://www.graphikamanila.com/

goodnight

-the weekend artist-

the weekend artist series: Paper Art #1: Wedding Invitations Designs

Who doesn't love weddings? I so love them I organize them as a sideline. 

What's funny is I still always get teary-eyed whenever the Dad walks her daughter 

down the aisle, whenever the couple say their vows, 

as well as during the couples first dance!

 So that is what I have been busy with during my time away from my blog 

for almost 2 months now apart from my job.

Actually I was at a family gathering recently when one of my aunts 

asked me about my blog and why I haven't been updating.

I told her that I haven't been working on it because 

I have been too busy with my day job 

and coordinating weddings during my free time.

 I haven't been painting lately or even finish my old projects. 

She suggested that I just share what I have been working on right now.

So here I am sharing a bit of what I am doing 

and for the coming weeks I will keep on sharing more.

Aside from wedding coordinating I have been accepting commission work

 for wedding invitation designs as well for a couple of years already. 

I think my love for paper is evident on why I still keep on accepting invites designing.

With weddings I still get to exercise my creative side from coordinating, 

selecting flowers, wedding gown designs and specially the invitations. 

I would be more than willing to share my experiences about starting a wedding coordinating business of your own here for those who want to ask. 

You can just drop me a note.

(All pictures included here are invites designed by me)

How about you wanna share what's been keeping you busy?

-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 big idea #2: Blog Banner Stories

This is the first blog banner I used. It's a photo I took during our last trip to Boracay.

I used it for the banner because at that time I was excited with my upcoming trip(I just finished booking our tickets that time) plus I wanted to show where I am from(from the islands of the Philippines).

I incorporated a logo which I am using consistently for all my blog banners.

It might get confusing because of my need for constant change but it feels right. I like that it also tells a story. Im thinking Google banner that you know it is the still same google logo but designed differently.

I love that my banners shows where I am now, how 'Im feeling or just simply because I like it that's why I used it=).

I used PS for almost everything and effects I've found here and there.

Here's the 2nd banner I made. It was in anticipation of the Mad Tea Party which I joined and did wonders for my blog. I love this banner so much because I love the book and the movie! It felt right at the time to join the blog party but I admit I was stressed a bit when the it was crunch time since I was so new into blogging. But it was definitely worth the effort.

Check out my Mad Tea Party post here:

http://theweekendartist.blogspot.com/2011/06/mad-tea-party-2011-by-weekend-artist.html

I used bricks texture to match the somewhat organic-morbid-fantasy feeling I got from watching the latest Alice in wonderland movie.

And here's my latest one which I finally am using. I decided to add another layer via PS to make it more dreamy. I guess Im at a stage in my life or moment when I feel like taking a seat and looking back at where I have been and looking forward to what I want to do in the future. Plus my bucketlist keeps on popping up in my head!

Again I used my TWA logo to maintain consistency since am a newbie blogger and have changed my blog banner so many times(sorry can't help it!).

________________

Can you belive it's the 3rd week of july! The end of my Blog Giveaway is near! Hope you will all still join!
http://theweekendartist.blogspot.com/2011/07/blog-giveaway.html

Yassou!

-The Weekend Artist-

The Weekend Artist Series #2-01 Web of Dreams

I've been wanting to do a digital artwork to replace my profile pic as well as do another version for my blog banner. I did this freehand straight from PS. This is a result of some layer erasing, paint effects and a bit of color tweaking. I still have to practice a lot with doing freehand digital painting.

I call this Web of Dreams because I wanted to show her(the subject is me) in a sort of dreamy state with all her dreams entangled in her hair. But again it didn't turn out the way I wanted it. Well, life's like that and sometimes you do have to cope because things don't turn out the way you planned it. I used the colors that fit my mood currently and maybe psychologically as well... coz I wanted to wear my rose-colored top out today(which I did for a night out!)

 

Started with a rough sketch via PS.

 

Colored it in.

 

I added layers to give it a 3d effect. 

I love changing my blog banner to fit what I feel I the moment or show what current state I am or what I am doing. So this will go up on the banner sometime soon.

On a different note, I want to thank all those who stopped by for my previous post and left their comments. 

http://theweekendartist.blogspot.com/2011/06/mad-tea-party-2011-by-weekend-artist.html

I really feel overwhelmed with all the visits. I still have an overdue Blog Giveaway coming up related to my previous post. I just might post it in a day or 2. The winners I will announce next weekend to match my moms birthday celebration.

Again thanks to everybody from the Mad Tea Party and specially to Ms. Vanessa of  

http://afancifultwist.typepad.com/ it did wonders for me...thank you for welcoming us to your enchanting world!

have a happy weekend! 

-the weekend artist- 

Mad Tea Party 2011 by The Weekend Artist

The blue lights are on...the blossoms are scattered around...

Pillows are placed here and there, and pearls glitter everywhere...

Oh the teapots and sweets! and homemade treats!

The doilies, velvet plush seats, lace curtains and tables are all set!

A deck of cards of all the guests!

The Mad host himself laid out the rest!

"Oh where, oh where are my guests?"

A bit lost?!... but on her way is Alice!

Painting roses along the way is the Queen of Hearts!

...and hopping on the way saying

 "I'm late, I'm late for the Mad Tea Party!" says the bunny.

All the guests arrived and oh what a sight!

Guests + Tea + Sweets = Oh what a treat!

So head on over to afancifultwist.typepad.com for more Mad Tea Party extravaganza and continue on over the hop to all our friend blogs on the list.

Kindly leave your comments for some possible treats!

Thanks and Have a great Weekend!

-the weekend artist-

I dedicate this magical blog to two of my dear friends...

to my dear friend joanie, who until yesterday didn't know what an inspiration she is to me and how I so dearly want for her to succeed and follow her dreams... so cheers to you and I pray for this journey to italia.

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

and second to my besty, mary: happy birthday to a dear friend and cheers to love, art and a year of would be instead of could be. <3

p.s. don't forget to follow us all at google connect(click link on the side bars)

p.p.s like The Weekend Artist at facebook 

followers will have to watch out here for the coming weeks and be ready for a treat..

 will be coming up with blog giveaways! 

the weekend artist inspiration: travel #01

On my work desk rests 3 key landmarks/icons of different countries. These are the Statue of Liberty, London's iconic red telephone booth and the Eiffel tower. Among the three it is the Eiffel tower which I haven't seen or I mean I haven't landed my foot upon the soil of the country which it is known for.  I realized this while watching the movie Julie and Julia on TV over the weekend. So I ended up sketching the Eiffel tower while watching. Oh how I long to see it! They say it's the most romantic place in the world. Can't forget having tea and french macaroons in Bizu with my dear friend joanie(aka artist-chef) and her telling me how she loved her picnic by the eiffel tower and how I do wish I was there to spend the day with her.

So I did finally end up using my new sketch set. I just sketched on whim. just left all the light spaces and penciled in all the shadows. I did enjoy doing this while watching Julie cook her way through Julia child's book.

I loved how Julie described her cooking as a travel which changed her life and she did it through a blog! And how her husband supported her all the way. In a way it's like my life right now...except I enjoy my dayjob way more than her.

I've seen the movie before but it has more impact to me now that I am keeping a blog =)

So going back to my sketch I ended up doing hatching and painting via PS and adding the words "A Bientot Paris!". After doing this sketch I miss my sisters more because when we were little at night we would be imagining we were sleeping in different countries of the world(and France is one of them) not knowing that it will really come true in the future.

Adieu!

-the weekend artist-

julie & julia photo fr: www.imdb.com

Tic-toc-tic-toc!

What have I been up to the past few days!?! I've been sick and still am feeling a bit under the weather. Though am much psyched with the coming weekend!(visit my old posts to know more). Been preparing for it, so I got my art supplies out. Just used markers and pencils for sketches. Did some doodling and digital painting when am not feeling too lousy or sneezy. Was able to squeeze in some materials sourcing and planning when I was already up and about.

Also took out my new fab art supplies find from Saizen! It's a japanese store selling knickknacks. I got the set for only US$2.00 quite cheap I might say. The set includes a kneaded eraser, 4b pencil for sketching, charcoal stick and a paper pencil. Though for my next project I didn't get to use it that much. I still am to produce an artwork from this set worth posting.

So why am I excited about my next project? You have to wait and see!! Here's a glimpse of the doodles I made for this project. Quite amateur but that's what made it much fun!

So many clues! Hope you will all visit on the 25th!

Ciao

-the weekend artist-

the weekend artist series #1-01 The Purple Balloon

Here's the final painting which I edited digitally since it didn't turn out as I hope it would. It's an inspiration piece since the subject is my nephew who is celebrating his 4th birthday this month. I haven't seen him for a long-time since my sister and her family lives in Los Angeles. I miss him terribly.  I was quite frustrated with the outcome because I think he is way cuter in person. 

___________________

Some exciting news I signed up for a project which I'll post some details on soon(check out my twitter page to know more).