Welcoming Daybreak

Stygian curtain yawned

Vanishing spectre of man

To the wretched hearth

A sliver of light

Bursting vermillion, carmine

In a blue montage

Frightful incubus

Scorched by heat, gone into smoke

A new dawn at hand

"Minda"-nian Adventure

My good ol' friend, Minda, came to Cebu City last month and invited me to stay overnight in one of the posh local hotels. Along with her colleagues, I joined her for dinner.

One of the perks of being Minda's friend, aside from meeting a showbiz personality out of the blue, is to be looped into an adventure. And with Minda's adventures, you just can't say no, because you don't have time to say so. For all you know, you're right in the smack of it.

When we were at the basement parking lot of the hotel, Minda was babbling about leaving me in her room while she attend to a meeting to polish the plans the following day. Amidst Minda's babbling, we turned the wrong way and ended up in the hotel's KTV bar. If I were to believe in omens, that should be the sign.

We were directed to the elevator that would bring us to floor where Minda's meeting will be held. Unfortunately, we ended up to another parking lot; this time, with a scarce number of automobiles. Since, that was in a nearby floor to where Minda planned to go, we decided to try the fire exit.

Seeing the almost vacant parking lot, Minda jokingly recalled those horror movies she participated in and went straight to the door marked EXIT. And this is where the adventures started.

A Weekend Mix

Most of my works were mostly done by charcoal, watercolor, and acrylic. I hadn't done anything that mixes different media. Inspired by an Indian artist, Ajay De whom I have read over a copy of Reader's Digest, I decided to use acrylic paints and charcoal in my piece.

I was thinking of what could be my possible subject when it dawned on me that I haven't made a follow-up on my post A Preview to Nude Art. This would also be an opportunity for me to practice on my figure drawing, particularly on my proportion problem. 

It helps that a lot of fine art nude photography websites are available today. I scouted for my subject that I could draw and incorporate a part of  my concept in it. I decided to choose a photo entitled Apples by Imants Silkans (Kindly click on the name to direct you to the website.) done in black and white.

During the whole weekend, I labored on this piece. The best part was doing the charcoal. Before, I used a torchon or a spreader to disperse the charcoal and create interesting shadows. Now, I used my hands! They got dirty; like charcoal powders were found underneath my nails but it was so much fun! When using hands, powderize first the charcoal before applying and spreading it on paper.

And now, here it is:

A Phantom in my Slumber

As each element was added, a piece of me was taken as well. Yet, when I looked at the progress I made and now, its finished look, I feel happy and light. Something that I would carry with me as I start another week and face another challenges at work.