Life on Mars

I have a loooong, busy day today, but I just wanted to take a minute to post yesterday's Art of the Day. We've been talking a lot about Mars in my Astronomy labs. We've actually been locating it and plotting it on our maps. Who knew that Mars was so easy to spot? My friends and I started calling it "the dirty planet" because it looks kinda just like a star, but with this orangey, yellowish hue that makes it seem kinda dingy.

Aside from the focus on Mars in my Astronomy class, Mars is also very significant to my zodiac sign, Scorpio. So here's the piece for Day 33!

DAY 33: February 02, 2010

TITLE: Mars

MEDIUM: Marker, acrylic, and computerized graphic

This is the first time I tried to use this many mediums at once. Obviously, it needs work, but I still like how it turned out.

I also didn't realize until about halfway through doing this piece that I've subconsciously ripped off Marvin the Martian. Yikes! :)

Token

DAY 32: February 01, 2010

TITLE: Token

MEDIUM: Acrylic on Canvas

Oh, Valentine's Day is right around the corner. I think I had that in my mind when I kicked off February with such an adorable heart piece. I got the inspiration from my favorite pair of pajamas that have gumball machines printed all over it. I made the gumballs in the shape of hearts with the thought, "when you ask for love, you pay a token".

I'm not too sure if that was the message I was trying to convey, because there is this other part of me that reads this piece as, "love is dispensable". WOW. I am bitter!

Whatever it is, Valentine's Day always seems to stir up all these thought on love. Like why, despite all the heartaches, do I still sing love songs? Why do I still draw little hearts on the margins of my notebook? Why do I get get lost in thought, curious as to whether I'll find love again?

Will I?

Can't help but wonder. Oh, love.

Flower power

Despite my cycle of hangovers over the weekend, I would say it was a fairly productive one. I started my weekend a little early on Thursday when dinner with friends and stargazing for my Astronomy class turned into a few drinks. Friday morning, I swore off drinking for awhile, but as it turns out, "awhile" was later on that night when I had drinks with friends I haven't seen in a while. So, on Saturday, I decided not to take any phone calls and locked myself in my house in order to resist the call of a good party.

The rest of my weekend went something like this: paint, cook, paint, read a book, paint, and do homework. I have been wanting to paint for the last couple of weeks but couldn't really think of anything to paint. I decided to paint some flowers since flowers are always fun and always present some kind of challenge. These are the results of my weekend lock-in.

DAY 30: January 30, 2010
TITLE: Happy :)
MEDIUM: Acrylic on Canvas

Aside from wanting to paint, it was also my aunt's birthday and I wanted to do something nice for her. This painting is about to be bubble-wrapped and sent to California.

DAY 31: January 31, 2010
TITLE: Luna
MEDIUM: Acrylic on Canvas

After all the nights of stargazing and having the beautiful moon shining on me, I felt inspired to do a moon piece. For the flowers, I decided to go with the same moon theme and tried to paint moon flowers, but I don't think it turned out how I wanted to, despite all the work I put into it this weekend. The work did pay off, since I think it turned out beautifully (if I do say so myself!).

And with that, I am proud to say that I have completed my first month of 365 Days of Art. :)

Oh Brother.

DAY 29: January 29, 2010
TITLE: Kuya!
MEDIUM: Computerized Vector Graphic

My brother wanted me to do a vector of him, so he can use it for his Facebook profile picture. All my family members thought I did such a good job, which is flattering, but I also know what that means - "do one for me too!" Anyway, since I took the time out to do this for my brother, I figured I might as well say a few words about why I am blessed to have him for a big brother.

My brother and I are four years apart. Growing up, I wouldn't say that we were particularly, close but we had a fairly loving relationship, with the occasional hate. He would constantly tease me. I would constantly cry. When he had an awesome posession, I wanted one too. We fought a LOT and my poor brother always had to take the high road.

It wasn't always bad. He'd be embarrassed to admit it, but during our childhood summers, we used to stay up reeally late and watch Disney movies together and sing along with the songs. He used to threaten my bullies for me. Also, he took responsibility of picking me up and dropping me off during my pedestrian days.

Overall, describing my brother, I would have to say he is patient and giving. Same as we were children, he still takes the high road now that we are adults. In the past, when my naive nature would steer me in the wrong direction, he would simply guide me back, instead of getting angry or rubbing my nose in my mistakes. He is also generous. He has sacrificed so much just to make sure thatI get the things I need, like the laptop that I am using to blog right now. I am thankful to have a great brother.

The other day, we were having a conversation about relationships. I said something about how it makes me angry when the plans you've made with someone are changed because your significant other breaks up with you for their personal reasons. All my brother said was, "people change. You can't fault them on that".

I wish I could be as wise and compassionate as my brother.

Hot Like Ninja

DAY 28: January 28, 2010

TITLE: Hot like Ninja!

MEDIUM: Markers

Some people got homies, bros, soljas, dogs. I got NINJAS! This one was a drawing I dedicated to my friend Cloe on her birthday.

When we were younger, all our friends debated on who's cooler - ninjas or snipers? For some reason, the girls all seem to think ninjas are cooler and the boys all wanted to be snipers. Since, then these girls have been my ninjas.

Even though this was ages ago, I still ask people today what they would rather be and the votes always end up being even.

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So, would you rather be a ninja or a sniper?

Trust is a Virtue

I've really just been super enthusiastic about school that I have to share.

Today's topic for my International Tourism class was goods, services, and experiences. My professor showed us this video and I'm going to show it to you because not only is it a good business approach, but it gave me the warm and fuzzies. I'm a sucker for these things.

For my sociology class we did an activity where we got into pairs and interviewed each other. I really enjoyed interviewing my partner and a few of the questions I answered made me learn a thing or two about myself.

When I was asked to name a person I admired and what virtues they possessed, I named my grandmother because she is very persevering. She practically had to raise her 9 siblings when she was only 19 years old and has persevered to survive her whole life. I admire that and I wish I was more like her in that way.

I was also asked to name one of my strong virtues and one of my weak ones. I guess this is somewhat something I've had in my mind since I started my Resolution Tree. I chose love as my strong virtue because I do pretty much everything I do with all my heart. I do things because I love my family, my friends, myself and I have love for whatever it is I do.

For my weak virtue, I said I lack compassion. This caused my partner and me to laugh since it is quite odd that I am loving but not compassionate. I kinda just contradicted myself, but there is an explanation. For my friends and family, I have nothing but love for them and will do just about anything, but unfortunately, when it comes to strangers I, more often than not, forget to see past the surface. Sometimes, I just don't try hard enough to see where they are coming from, since they are not close to me.

We did another exercise dealing with trust today. With our partner's guidance, we had to walk around the building blindfolded! I was amazed that I actually did it because I hate not being able to see. It's a control issue I have. My partner did such a good job guiding me, but I was still so terrified. I took these teeny little steps while following my partner's voice. I felt so vulnerable, but by the end of the exercise, I did start to trust my partner. My senses also hightened to the point that I could smell the salt in the air coming from the ocean.

I must have been one of the exceptionally nervous cases because my professor, who was observing the whole thing, had to ask, "Have you been in many bad relationships?"

Oh, you have no idea, sir. :)

Birthdays :)

When you come from a big family, there are always going to be birthday greetings to be made! These are the two most recent pieces for my 365 Days of Art:

DAY 26: January 26, 2010

TITLE: Happy Birthday Boom!!

MEDIUM: Computerized vector graphic

This one is for my nephew Marvin, who we endearingly call Boom. We always have funny nicknames for our family members. He turned 20 yesterday.

DAY 27: January 27, 2010

TITLE: Happy Birthday Tita Bambi!

MEDIUM: Pens

This one is for my aunt, Bambi. She gets the nickname from the word "Bambina" which is the Italian word for "baby girl". I was hesitant to do something Bambi-related because she's probably gotten that all her life, but I caved because I wanted to draw Bambi. :P