Trust,
hard to gain
easy to lose,
once lost
never regained.
Fun,
thus Ces has spoken
and will draw
objects smaller
than they appear.
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4/30/14
4/28/14
Life And Death
I am starting the week on a happy note. My
nephew, my younger sister's son, graduated from university this weekend. I am
so happy and so proud of my nephew and proud of my younger sister who was
widowed at an early age and raised her two young children with the help of my
sisters and brothers. I love them so much. My family is my first and most
important joyful blessing and every day, gratitude fills my mind.
I wake up, seized with passion, knowing I am surrounded by a loving husband and wonderful children who I adore
so much. In my heart, I feel the loving warmth of my sisters and brothers
and their children. Although they live in distant states and countries, they
are close and with me.
Two happy dogs block my way me as they stretch
and moan their greetings when I get up from bed. I saunter into the family room. They patiently
wait beside me with their wagging tails as I pause in prayer and offer my
devotion. Soon the subtle glow of the candles fill the room. This is the time my heart somersaults with joy from the memories of my parents and lingering sadness of missing my sister Leah. I let Daisy and Wheezy out
into our private yard. Wheezy is always eager, Daisy, not so much. I have to
fetch her and gently coax her and she looks at me as if telling me
"I changed my mind, I want to go back to my warm bed". Outside I gauge the temperature
to determine what I will later wear for work. It is still dark and I look up,
my first glimpse of the sky.
My favorite time of the day is when everyone is
still asleep and it is so quiet that I can actually hear the silence. I draw while I drink my coffee. Drawing is such a life affirming activity. I am still awed by the wonder of ink, the technology of fine pen points and how squiggles and scratch marks form images. Sometimes the radio is on, set on the lowest volume on a default station. I don't know the station identification. Most often it seems like white noise, like the quiet soothing sound of air hitting circulating ceiling fan blades.
Lately, Daisy and Wheezy have been very happy
going for long walks and exercises with us. I think Wheezy may have overheated
last Saturday. I did. I started shaking and had to eat a slice of banana bread.
Uhm… yes, I pack water bottles, apples, bananas, sliced grapefruit and grapes. I
baked banana bread last week. Yesterday, I took some dog cookies for Wheezy and
Daisy. My husband tells me they do not need them but after the walk and
drinking water, I think it is nice to give them a treat before we drive home.
Anyway, Wheezy lost control of his bowels one early morning and he vomited twice,
making us very worried. We kept both of them in air-conditioning most of the
day. Last night they slept well without incident. My son called the
veterinarian yesterday just to let them know. I hope Wheezy feels better. I think he over-exerts himself; he gets so
excited, sniffs everything along the way and mark every tree. I know when it is
time for him to drink based on his marking stream. He is very strong. Only my
husband and son can walk him. Daisy, on the other hand, is very poised and
calm. All she wants is to be ahead. She knows how to conserve her energy and
therefore does not get adversely affected by the humidity.
This morning, my commute to work was marked by
the sad news of the death of my first IT vice president who hired me twenty-two
years ago. She had an aggressive form of cancer that took her life away on
Saturday, a few days from her birthday tomorrow. Many of us in our department
are filled with sadness for her passing. She was young, she was my age. She was a good
vice president, may she rest in peace.
Life is a roller coaster of events and emotions.
Everywhere good and bad things happen. Work provides a nice distraction from
many of the miserable things happening in our country and the way our leaders
have eroded America’s significance in the world. There is a pervasive sense of
hopelessness, detachment and antagonism. If I choose to count the bad, my time
will be filled with them. I am grateful I have a job, many do not. I admire
those who do not let adversity overcome them and destroy their faith. They are
my inspiration. One of those who did not let adversity destroy his faith was
Pope John Paul II. He and Pope John XXIII were canonized as saints last week
by Pope Francis and Pope Benedict. I
feel a strong connection with Pope John Paul II. In 1981, I felt blessed when
he touched my outreached hands as he walked towards the stage to hold mass on his
first visit to the Philippines. Now I can say that I was truly touched by a
saint.
As for my drawing, I am not channeling some unconscious
thought or deep-seated emotions. Sometimes the images are just what they are. Most
are symbols of ideas and I want to express, rather being subtle with my
bluntness. As for symbols, here is one :)
4/27/14
In The Land Of The Perpetually Offended
I am trying to infuse the Land of The Perpetually Offended the symbols of vanity. I am not sure if I will be able to finish it in time of the submission deadline, but I am enjoying reading about the symbols of vanity. I sketched on this image the Whore of Babylon, Satan holding the mirror of vanity, Putto, and many still life vanity symbols. I also drew two naked fat women blowing bubbles. In the foreground, is a skeleton of a bird, another symbol of vanity and shortness of life. Have a great week!
4/25/14
Alphabet Soup of Failure
Alphabet Soup of Failure. Pen and Ink on 17"x14" Paris Paper
Unprecedented Concoction of Corruption, Distrust, Ineptness, Incompetence, Lies, Falsehoods, Coverups, Spying, Overreach, Political Correctness, Abuse of Power and Disregard for the People.
To be fair, President Obama gets asked the tough questions from the American press. Seriously, give the man a break. He works so hard.
4/21/14
Details, Details,Details, But...
“A key point to bear in mind: The value of attentiveness varies in proportion to its object. You’re better off not giving the small things more time than they deserve.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
Oh my. What the heck am I doing then?
4/20/14
tAXmEn
...the government has the constitutional right to implement the tax, "but if it reaches a certain point, perhaps you should revolt."
"You're entitled to criticize the government, and you can use words, you can use symbols, you can use telegraph, you can use Morse code, you can burn a flag..."
"The Constitution is not a living organism for Pete's sake, it's a law. It means what it meant when it was adopted."
Justice Antonin Scalia More...
4/18/14
Rotten Eggs
The Law of Lawlessness, Corruption, Incompetence and Mediocrity
A government whose leaders flaunt, selectively enforce and exempt themselves from the law, loses its moral authority to expect its citizens to obey the law. Only tyrants are above the law they impose on others.
Take one liberty at a time so people will not notice, in fact, they will start believing it is good for them. Corruption and tyranny provide nothing but a preponderance of broken rotting eggs and stinkhorns disguised as laws for the good of all. Still, it is Easter and those who believe have something better coming for them beyond this wretched world of liars, deceivers and purveyors of hopelessness.
Yes, hope, a word so abused and maligned by demagogues whose plans were soon revealed. Punish the achievers, spread the misery and hopelessness, destroy the structures and weaken society, take one liberty at a time so that their mediocre performance will seem so grand and altruistic.
What a cracked egg, indeed. The stench reeks.
Inner Peace:
"Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy." Max Ehrmann, "Desiderata"
4/13/14
LOL! I Am In Love
(LOL) Lord Of The Lies
aka The Fabulous Fabulist, part of the Liars, Fabulists, Prevaricators and The Like series. These are details of a 14"x17" pen and ink drawing. Click on the preview slides to enlarge. I have fallen in love with detailed pen and ink drawing...oh wait, this is not new. Let us just say that I actually took my time and even stopped to draw something else for Illustration Friday, just so I can keep enjoying this. Thanks to Bella Sinclair who inspired me to draw little creatures. When I saw Bella's illustration for Space, I was stunned at how she accurately portrayed two friends, one who needs space but seems to have a difficult time escaping the other gesticulating, loquacious friend. I lifted the two and put them in this busy jungle of the Lord of the Lies.
4/12/14
Geminis Aries Scorpionis et Piscibus
I thought I was finished with the quick sketch on the left, which I started while watching the Rockets play against the Timberwolves last night. It was supposed to be a square drawing on an 11"x9" Bristol Board but this morning, I did not like looking at the wide margins. The Rockets lost last night. Pfft! They are playing again tonight and I hope they win.
My husband and son love watching sports on television. I try to join them but I cannot just sit and stare at the screen, so I draw. I hate it when out team loses. The above illustration was inspired by this.
Today, I was reading some blog posts and comments from 2009. It was bittersweet to read the comments from four blog friends who have since passed away. Their words sparkle like gems.
Today, I was reading some blog posts and comments from 2009. It was bittersweet to read the comments from four blog friends who have since passed away. Their words sparkle like gems.
4/11/14
Lord Of The Lies
It has been a hectic, maddening, worrisome, and anxiety-ridden week here for several reasons, but I am prevailing. This very happy-looking illustration is shrouded in misery because it is actually a part of the "Liars, Fabulists, Prevaricators and The Like" series. However, just like real life, the good have to face the bad and we deal with situations in the best way we can, until we have enough. I enjoy drawing this picture and experimenting with different types of pigment ink so that I almost cover each white space with ink but still have different shading and lighting effects. I might take a break to prolong the process and maybe draw something for Illustration Friday's Zodiac. What is your sign?
Lord Of The Lies, in progress, is the fourth installment to my Liars, Fabulists, Prevaricators and The Like series.
Liars, Fabulists, Prevaricators and The Like Series, Pen and Ink 14"x17" Bristol Board. Left to Right: (Left) The Incompetent Intolerant Megalomaniacal Pecksniffian Stalinist Equivocator and His Obsequious Sanctimonious Prevaricating Perverted Bumbledom, (Middle) The Liars' Fancy Dress Ball, (Right) The Vermicious Pernicious Fabulist And His Repertoire of Insidious Vermin.
4/9/14
4/7/14
Her Royal Kindness Surviving The Imperial Fuss Over Another Special Ordinary Day
Her Royal Kindness Surviving The Imperial Fuss Over Another Ordinary Day
This drawing is taking forever. When I say "forever" I mean more than a day and lately, a day means two, three or four days or even a week, until I am fed up with it. So I am going to cut corners, literally. I am just going to use the left upper corner.
Your royal kindness,
When civilization ends,
I will still be your friend.
When I wake up,
you are in my remembrances.
When I close my eyes,
you are on my list to give thanks.
you are on my list to give thanks.
In my dreams, I am rowing a giant oak leaf
towards an isolated island to save
and protect you
from crazy, slobbering, stalking dogs.
from crazy, slobbering, stalking dogs.
I wake up
and it is not what I have dreamt.
and it is not what I have dreamt.
It is you who keep me safe from
crazy, slobbering, stalking dogs,
You send a hummingbird
to pluck me from drowning.
In my old age I will continue to fuss
in my heart to celebrate your special day
while I play and pretend that
it is just another ordinary day.
I wanted a lot of fanfare and macarons
but I just have this unfinished drawing
but I just have this unfinished drawing
and a poem that does not even rhyme.
Thank God it is not the end of civilization,
and there are real poets.
Today is Sisterfriend Day
and No Housekeeping Day.
and No Housekeeping Day.
Tsup!
4/5/14
Barackhio, Lord Of The Lies, A Work In Progress
I promised myself, the next time I draw, I will do it leisurely and be meticulous with every detail. The sloths are there to remind me. Well, I am still not meticulous enough. Trying even harder...
4/3/14
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