River of Stones: Jan 23 to 29, 2012

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Elisa Choi

The week of Jan 23′s worth of small stones. Apart from the Jan 23, the rest of the stones are craving for something.

Jan 23: A delicacy of the Chinese tradition. A circle shaped sticky lump made with flour and sugar with added coat of flavorings. Mom cuts them into fraction of several pieces. Dipping into beaten egg yolk before placing them into the frying pan. I bite into the soft warm sticky Tikoy as it is so called. Its taste brings a hint of sweet molasses and the color is almost jet black. I had two while Mom is irked by her burp of the sickly sweet Tikoy.

Jan 24: The wish to be anywhere but there. The wish of something to happen. A miracle perhaps. A wish that could somehow free me for just a while. An escape wish. That wish came true. The effect was overwhelming. It brings pain. But the reward is that I am not there. I am here. Heart of home.

Jan 25: Drowse me to sleep. Inject me a personality. Bring me home. Nothing is easy. Light my path. Stay with me God that I may live.

Jan 26: The bit and ounce of energy force my fragile body to wake up, think, smile and greet my plant. I am feeling better. Now I need to use the remaining energy to plan and think again.

Jan 27: To be angry and frustrated. It is pointless. Nothing can bring back the things we’ve said and done. It’s like choosing to throw the ring into the ocean only to realize in seconds time that you want it all along.

Jan 28: The only day that you can tidy the house and do some planning about your dreams and make sketches and paint something. That only day that is always dancing every second, every minute and every hour. The only day that you don’t want it to end yet because it’s just starting. That was Saturday. That was a weekend.

Jan 29: The warm feeling rekindled. The look in his eyes. Everything about him seems like a very first time. There is always something about appreciating what we have and keeping it alive with love. Lots of Love.

Musings: Sketching On-Location

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Elisa Choi

Sketching on-location is a challenge. Sometimes the actual subject changes because of the various outside elements. Below is an example. A man suddenly sat on the left side of the bench whilst I was almost done with the sketch. I wasn’t aware that I should have check the right side to complete the lower left part of this bench. Can you spot the awkward disconnection?

Nevertheless, if you want to enjoy the process of sketching outdoors despite the distraction of human activities around you and the quite imperfect first sketch then by all means move on to another subject. I did.

It made me excited to see a group of urban sketchers gathered around some distance below at the park from where I sat. They got sketchbooks and pencils. They’re busy looking at the distance. Some sketch away hastily. It was a lovely sight.

That day I sketch little. I was way too distracted or rather too absorbed with my surroundings. The presence of the boyfriend beside me snapping photographs. The man with the little girl near the fountain playing and having fun. The cold sweet January air that blows paper cups and leaves. The sight of the urban sketchers. The lingering taste of my Orange Blitz Jamba Juice. My dreams in its planning stage. I just want to breathe in all of these. This.

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I am deeply inspired by each and everyone of you at PPF. Every week I am seeing new arts and learning. It never ceases to amaze me how I feel so connected with you all despite the distance. Thank you for the encouragement and the feedback.

PS* I am answering this which I got from Dana Barbieri. Won’t you care to join (in the comments or on your blog)? I love to hear it.

I’m most creative when: my mind and heart is at peace especially during the mornings when the sun is just peeking. When I look deep into myself and truly connect with the Creator who gives the creativity in me.
If I were a color, I’d be: Green. It is calming. It is soothing. It is spiritual.
I often imagine myself: Having my own studio surrounded with canvases and paints, shelf of artbooks, camera and all sorts of creative scraps. I’ll be painting or writing or creating digital paintings or taking photos. I’ll be manning a shop. I’ll be inspiring people with my arts and sharing them with the world.
I really wish I knew how to: create professional designs of art. (I’m honest at that but I figured I don’t really need to)
I’d love to spend a lazy Sunday: reading a good book then watching a favorite movie or series. A walk in the park and just capture photos of everyday life or draw.
My secret talent is: Hmm.. none I could think of.

Happy PPF!

River of Stones: Jan 16 to 22, 2012

Posted on January 22, 2012 by Elisa Choi

Welcome to the week of Jan 16′s worth of small stones. I hope you enjoy them.

Jan 16: The constant breaking through. The scaling of old cells and shells. The fidgeting of one’s soul. The movement of the huge egg from its comfort zone to the ground. The first few broken pieces of me coming out.

Jan 17: I struggled out of my hypnotizing bed. The sky dark and the clock reads 5:50am. My spirit resolved, my soul immuned to the daily life. To its beauty. I took a warm and cold shower and my spirit seems more resolved. Eager even. The day is long but my spirit is resolved to plunge through the day armed with hope, positivity and my dreams.

Jan 18: A man in his late 40s dressed in casual jeans and shirt. He went up on the bus, paid 12 bucks and heaved a huge sigh. He stood in the middle of the curious passengers. With a certain braveness he asked for our help for his child who is undergoing dialysis. I could feel the crack in his voice and his dire need of money. I started rummaging through my purse and after picking up 10 bucks I dropped them back and pulled out a 20 peso bill. I was in tears as he thanked us and prepared to ride on another bus.

Jan 19: A Mcdo breakfast with a dear friend. Conversations on dreams, life, dreams, and more dreams. The lightness of our chats, the strengths and realizations that we didn’t know yet when we were still young. Nothing beats starting the day with positivity.

Jan 20: My heart and soul screaming to me every singe day. This very phrase. This scary but so beautiful words. “You have a very urgent task. Quit your job and start working on your dreams. The deadline is today!”

Jan 21: Perched on the table with somebody special. Two cardboard cups filled with the awesome healthy fruit smoothies. From below a man and a little girl in red dress running about in the mist of the fountain. Savoring the damp ground and sprinkles of life around them.

Jan 22: The year of the Water Dragon. Some places must have loud noises of dragon dance and firecrackers. In our home in my little desk I sat brainstorming for a design. My eyes and hands lost to the moment of creation.

Observing Human Beings

Posted on January 20, 2012 by Elisa Choi

Human Beings are beautiful. Regardless of what.

Humans will always think about anything. They can be judgmental. They can be rude. They will worry. But the beautiful thing is that they have dreams.

Most of the times they are vulnerable. They cry buckets of tears. They cry out of frustration. They cry out of hopelessness. They cry over doing something that is against their passions. But the beauty of all that is they got somebody to comfort them. A friend. A stranger. Smile despite of the tears.

Some already know what they want to do in life. Some as early as during childhood. Some has to figure out still what is that that stir their soul. Some pursue a career different from what they have studied. In the end a lot of people are fighting for their dreams. And believing in it.

We need one another. We need to speak of our feelings, emotions, problems. We need to confide someone first before making our own decisions at times. We need someone to hold on to. Some even depend their happiness on others. However, in the end we all have each other. Our friends. Travel friends. Loved ones. People who brings sunny hopes into our lives.

I am currently drawn to drawing people. I love to capture what they do. Their expression. Their ways and beliefs. In a way I am learning from them while I draw. Sometimes I draw from photos. Sometimes from real life. People I don’t know inspire me too. I wonder what their stories are? What are their aspirations? Where are they going? They must be tired. All I am seeing is how brave human beings are. All those emotions hidden in the deep facade of their appearances. But I am not. Sometimes I cry on the bus. I cannot possibly contain emotions.

Presently I am in the stage where my “inner tiger” is screaming its head out. I have came to this point. I have lived to this moment where what I had is enough. Enough of doing all these which doesn’t make sense. I am resolved to finish this year once and for all. To finish what I have always dreamed of. To build a life what I can call my own.

In the meantime I will continue to draw. How about you artists inspire me with a piece of your wisdom?

PS* A huge January giveaway by the lovely Georgie Horn . Curious? Go here!

PPF

River of Stones: Jan 9 to 15 2012

Posted on January 15, 2012 by Elisa Choi

My 1 week worth of small stones for January 9 – 15, 2012. This week is raw.

Jan 9: A new faint hint of cold wind wrap around my bare legs. It lingers for a second. Leaving me rigid and wondering as I stare out into the sunlight beam.

Jan 10: The stale breath. The friendly aura in a strict disposition. One thing that has caught me. Your dream of culinary art.

Jan 11: Bright yellow light. strong gust of not so chilly wind. Heart and soul at peace. Knowing that God is just beside me. Always.

Jan 12: Standing on top of the train station. The jet black sky in tinted orange wash. Cold wind on my face. City lights and glittering buildings. Golden emission from the vehicles. All these made me remember of our rooftop dinner.

Jan 13: This craving. This kind of desire. This kind of itch. This sentiment that goes round and about. Now this is called the passion of pursuing one’s dreams.

Jan 14: Tonight’s feeling of solitude amidst the unproductive day. The chasing of dreams fire up the spirit. Under the blanket covered in darkness. Another day of hope is brewing tomorrow.

Jan 15: Headache strikes like thunder bolt in chains. Several thick black smoke that laugh like one ghastly ghost. One woman in a jet black sunglass approaches us. She knows the place but asks us where the best eatery in Chinatown is. As if our answers of nos are not enough, she strike a paper that read she will help Filipinos find a job. There wasn’t a moment of hesitation as we walk briskly away from her evil clutches. Thank God.

How to Draw Everyday?

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Elisa Choi

It starts with a Sketchbook. Or a paper. Use a Ballpen. Or a pencil.

Last year I journal with words. I write my day’s event on paper. Filling it with complete details as much as possible. This 2012 I still journal but this time I DRAW my day’s event and write.

I draw inspiration from a coffee break with a friend who by the way is chasing after his dreams. Hooray!

I draw what I observe. My sister here is a perfect “still life”. PS* This sketch doesn’t look like her but I manage to capture the form. It’s still human! Haha

I draw what I eat. I didn’t bring my sketchbook to the place though but I captured the food in my mind and draw it when I got home. Still craving for these delicious food!

I draw the highlight of my day…which is a Cornetto Disc. Simple joy!

I color everything with watercolor and sometimes a bit of color pens for the words. I draw anywhere mostly while watching a late night tv series.

This is my perfect cup of motivation: Drawing my life.

You try it too! It’s filled with learnings and fun and good for our creative souls. Happy PPF!

PPS* Michael Nobbs’ Start to Draw Your Life ebook is an amazing feast for the eyes and inspiration to start drawing our lives and keep practicing! You can download for free and pay with a tweet. Check it out!

Do what you love. Love what you do.

Monthly Archives: January 2012