Merry Christmas

Our little man with the Christmas Parol.

Wishing you all a Blessed and Merry Christmas.

Have a Happy Holidays!

Thank you for supporting and appreciating my art,

and for following 'The Morning Artist' Blog.

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Parol, More than an Ornament

'Parol'

Watercolor on Paper © 2009.

It's that time of the year again when I can't help but miss the cheerful lights and sounds of Christmas back home. There, streets are adorned with lights as early as September and taken down the day after Valentine's day. A long festive celebration indeed.

I miss seeing the Parol. I remember making those when we were growing up. 'Parols' are ornamental star-like Christmas lanterns from the Philippines. It is traditionally made of bamboo and paper and comes in various shapes, sizes and designs.

It symbolizes the Nativity star that guided the Magi to the manger, which for me is the very essence of Christmas - the birth of Jesus. It also represents the victory of light over darkness and the Filipinos' hope and goodwill during the Christmas season.

Painting this somehow makes me feel a little closer to home.

Back on Paper

'I Got Your Back'

Watercolor on Paper (c) 2009.

'I Got Your Back'. Detail.

This morning I missed my sisters and out of the blue, I started drawing these two girls on my sketchbook.  Then it occurred to me that it's been a while since I painted watercolor on paper.   

For a year now, I've been painting on watercolor canvases.  Although canvas gives new dimension to watercolor painting, the thrill of successfully achieving transparency on paper is unsurpassed.  The 'touch and go' approach on paper still remains to be the purest form of watercolor mastery.

If papers could talk, I bet they're saying 'Welcome back, Sister!'.

Rugby Stripes Are In

Rugby Stripes Laptop Sleeve.

Available at UrArtist Shop. $39.

My laptop sleeves are gaining popularity. So far, over two hundred of these cozies has been shipped around the world since I started making it over a year ago. What once started as a personal quest to find a unique laptop sleeve for my then new laptop, became a sensation to savvy web surfers across the globe.

I've sent couple of these fibrous handmade caddies to all continents except Africa. The top five countries are USA, Germany, Canada, Asutralia and France.

Last week, I got a request from a New Yorker who loves to watch rugby football to make a 'rugby stripes' laptop sleeve in her favorite colors - medium pink and red. I'm always excited whenever I get such requests since the finished work is not just a product but a result of two collaborating individuals. The creation process becomes more enjoyable for both.

Maybe next time you watch your favorite game, you'll be inspired to have a laptop sleeve to match your team's color. Don't forget to tell me about it, I'm always open to try new ideas.

Happy web surfing!

Tangled up in the Studio

'Grey Skies are Turning Blue' Art Cowl

Click here to see more of my 'Wearable Art' projects.

It's really getting cold here in Chicago. We already switched our summer clothes in our closets with fall and winter outfits. Ofcourse, these breezy weather calls for accessories to keep us warm.

At this time of the year, my studio morphs into a fibrous stead. Skeins and spools of yarns, threads and laces take over the canvases and paints. What once used to be a jar of brushes is now stuffed with knitting and crochet needles. 'It's that time of the year.', my husband would say. My sketchbook is getting filled with designs of scarves and other yarn projects.

So, pardon me if you haven't seen me writing much these days. It's because I've given in to that irrepressible calling to turn those yarns into something extraordinary, while wrapped up in my favorite cozy and sipping my favorite peach white tea.

Downpour

'Docked'

Fine Art Photograph by Sherie Sloane. (C) 2009

Has it really been over two months since my last post? If you've been following my blog, I apologize for the stretch of time I missed you.

So, what happened in the past months? You must be wondering. I was compelled to 'dock' and refuel myself, just like that 'tugboat' I photographed in Fort Walton, Florida. It was a much needed time to pause, reflect and plan. You know the old adage, "When it rains, it pours"? That's exactly what transpired in my life and in the lives of the people I love and care.

First, there was the happy news of another pregnancy. We can't believe our little man who just turned two will soon become a big brother. Then, there were the sad news from families back home. Last month, our beloved uncle passed away. He was that 'one' uncle we call our second dad. When dad passed away ten years ago, he took it to heart to look over us, providing the fatherly love we missed.

'Typhoon Ketsana'

Image courtesy of Wikipedia.

Two days after, typhoon Ketsana hit Manila and nearby towns in the Philippines, my home country. My sister's house, and most of their belongings were soaked in water seven feet high for days. Thankfully, she was working the day the typhoon hit. My mom was stranded in another town and wasn't able to get home for almost two days. My other sister was in her class when the water started rising outside their university. Thankfully, she was able to reach home safely.

But most were not as fortunate as my family. The highest rainfall in history, heavy flooding and landslides claimed hundreds of lives. Tears were streaming from my eyes watching the news. I knew a lot of friends in the most affected areas. The images of kids separated from parents and stranded in their schools were heartbreaking. I couldn't fathom what it must have been like for those families. Their loved ones, everything they owned and worked hard for, all gone in an instant.

It was a bitter reminder of what matters most - life itself. As we said our prayers from our comfy home here in Chicago, we realized even more how immensely blessed we are. We have each other and the meaning of 'modest living' has now become 'abundance'. The help we sent seemed meager compared to the magnitude of the disaster poeple there have experienced.

'My Boys'

Beasley Park Beach, Ft. Walton, Florida

I was plagued with those sad images for days. It didn't help that my morning sickness was reaching its height too, all these on top of raising our very active tooddler. Going to my studio to paint and create felt like a chore.

My husband who's been working so hard thought it will do us all good to take a little breather. We flew to the charming old town of Fort Walton, Florida to celebrate our son's birthday. He loved the sand and we all love the sugarsand beaches there. The quiet town was the perfect place for us to rest and reflect.

Watching my boys build their sand castle, I felt the first kick from the baby inside me. Perhaps telling me, 'Mom, it's time to put the worries away for now. The rains back home will soon stop and God will wipe their tears one at a time.'