48 years since my last post. Hope to do more this 2013.
Instyle UK March 2013
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Tara in Manila
Finally met Tara McPherson (yay!) last Wednesday at her book launch on Vinyl On Vinyl, Makati City, Philippines. With the release of “Bunny In The Moon”, Tara eagerly signed books, prints, and shirts at the event. She was in Manila for a 2-day event at 2 art colleges in the metro. With that short tour, I was able to make a little something for her to bring back to Brooklyn. Inspired by her heart trademark, striking palette, and her love for body art…the Tara takatak was born. 🙂
For more on Tara McPherson: www.taramcpherson.com | Purchase her works: www.thecottoncandymachine.com/artist/tara-mcpherson | Like Takatak Project: www.facebook.com/pages/Takatak-Project/235199713189664
The Cut
My best purchase in Hong Kong: Paper Cutting – Contemporary Artists, Timeless Crafts. Rob Ryan influenced me on this craft that I made a Save The Date invite into a paper cut artwork. In this book, I discovered more paper cut artists with remarkable designs and styles. I like Emily Hogarth’s patterns, Nikki McClure’s storytelling, and Kako Ueda’s ornate cuts.
For more of the artists, visit:
Hello 2012!
Happy (late) New Year! Been busy during the holidays (making place mats which I haven’t posted yet). I kinda started the year right with a bucket of beer, Mcdonald’s pasta soup and a bit of shopping (yeah, just a bit). Here’s a quick look at my Hong Kong holiday. Like most husbands with their wives on a shopping trip, my husband wanted to kill me for making him walk for almost 8 hours. 🙂
Takatak Project
It’s been weeks since I last posted. I’ve been working on the Takatak Project with my friend Mary. What’s a taka? It is a paper maché horse that is locally made in Paete, Laguna. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet the best taka maker in Paete, Nora Cadawas. She’s famous for making taka and other paper maché decors for many years now. The traditional Paete taka is red with flower designs on its saddle. We at Takatak Project, modernized the taka by color blocking it, adding prints and colorful accessories.
Like Takatak Project on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Takatak-Project/235199713189664
For a history on Paete’s Taka: http://www.artesdelasfilipinas.com/archives/6/paete-s-taka
To support Philippine crafts: http://manlilikha.org/
Interesting Pieces
Lately, I have been searching for an interior decorating style that I’ve bookmarked at least 10 sites and even downloaded 2 for my phone. Finally, my husband and I decided to go with the nautical-weathered beach-shabby chic-vintage-look (did I get it right?). Then I found Aidan Gray pieces from http://www.laylagrayce.com, which are uniquely crafted from the furniture to the wall decors. I sketched my favorites from the site: grain sack occasional chair, eda pendant, and the London bus route sign.
For more of these wonderful pieces, visit: http://www.aidangrayhome.com/ and http://www.laylagrayce.com/
Don’t Touch My Birdie
My first collaboration with graphic artists Mia Claravall-Reyes of Tinta 55 and Mico Sangalang/Komiks Boy. Mico’s been itching on a cardinal bird design for his first tattoo. Discussed via Facebook the design and style of the tattoo and after a few weeks (sorry, it took me weeks, haha!), finally emailed the sketch to Mia. The final tattoo’s been modified with a mohawk. Likey! The bird looks more badass.
For more on Mia Loca’s tatoo work at Tinta 55, click on http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150289426297553.332862.623937552 and http://www.facebook.com/55tinta
More on KomiksBoy’s designs at http://www.behance.net/komiksboy
Photo credits: Mia Claravall- Reyes & Mico Sangalang via their Facebook photos
Kikay Surprise
I just got a wonderful package from my good friend Mariel Chua who now lives in New York. She got me makeup from Sephora and Laura Geller and the Freshman 15 book which we collaborated with fitness expert Marsha Irving. Mariel is a beauty editor who’s worked at Cosmopolitan, Seventeen and Hearst Magazine International. She’s done miracles transforming me into a human being whenever I need to look my best at weddings and parties. =)
For your NYC fix and all things pretty & sweet, follow Mariel at http://www.nyminutenow.com/ and http://www.allmysugar.com/
For more on our collaborations, visit: http://www.nyminutenow.com/2011/08/freshman-15-sneak-peek.html | http://www.nyminutenow.com/2009/02/whew.html | http://www.nyminutenow.com/2009/01/beautiful-baubles.html
Michelle
Yay! Long weekend! After a crazy work week, it’s good to just stay at home and draw. Looking through my old People Stylewatch magazines, I saw this photo of Michelle Williams sporting an edgy pixie cut. I never really watched her in Dawson’s Creek but I saw a couple of her movies like Brokeback Mountain, Shutter Island and Blue Valentine (which was pretty depressing). Catch her as Marilyn Monroe in the upcoming biopic, My Week with Marilyn. Happy weekend!
Old Water Works
Rummaging through my piles of paper, magazines and sketch pads, I found my old watercolor pad which I bought ages ago from Flax in San Francisco. I had a blast from the past moment especially when I saw this unfinished painting of Brett Anderson of Suede. (I was nuts over the whole Brit-pop movement back in college.) Can’t wait to go back to watercolor painting!
clauderodrigo 