Painting the Sky

Today was all about dramatic skies. This is why I love painting, nature never fails to astound me.

Melancholic Morning

Winter's Serene Beauty. View from my studio's window.

- Posted from my iPhone

Light House

'Light House'

Watercolor on Paper. (c) 2010.

A work in progress. This is actually a watercolor sketch for a 36 x 48 painting I'll be painting later today.

Baby Bursts

'Baby'

Watercolor Illustration. (c) 2010

I painted this for my cousin's baby shower. We're due on the same date! How about that.

I must have missed mentioning that we're expecting our second child. Yes! Another boy on the way. Growing the baby has been one of the things that was keeping me occupied that's why I wasn't able to update my blog regularly.

Although I've been down this road before, parts of the pregnancy journey seems all so new again. And I'm enjoying the perks that come with being pregnant. I get to use the 'Stork Parking' at Babies R Us and enjoy the heavenly foot massages courtesy of hubby, to name a few.

I've been receiving messages requesting updates on my recent 'projects'. Recently, I've been busy making baby gifts for relatives who are either having a baby or just had one. On top of that, I'm preparing for my upcoming one-woman art show this coming March in downtown Chicago. To make it even more exciting, the opening will be four days before my due date.

Hopefully, our baby won't decide to come out by then. I'll keep you posted if he decides to or not. If you're a mom who's expecting like me, the illustration above is dedicated to you too. I wish you all the joys a new baby brings.

Happy Belly Burst Day!

Sweet Twee Feature

Sweet Twee Blog has graciously and proudly featured my Fruit and Veggie Baggie.

For a mix of everything cute and fun, head over to Sweet Twee.

Thanks again for the sweet feature Sweet Twee.

Bye Snowballs

'Snowballs' One of a Kind Knitted Scarf

See more at UrArtist Shop.

Winter is not over yet. In fact, we're still at freezing temperature here in Chicago. That means, we still get to wear our favorite winter outfits and accessories.

Yesterday, it was time to bid farewell to 'Snowballs'. Nope, it's not our pet or a peeve. It's the knitted scarf I made that's truly one of a kind. I made it with freestyle knit stitches, no pattern in hand or plan. It was one of those 'knit a stitch as you go along'. An abstract fiber art is what I call it.

It was one of my favorite knit creations. I love that there's nothing one like it and that it's purely a product of the imagination.

So, bye 'Snowballs'. May you give warmth and comfort to your new home and owner.

Happy New Year!

'Fireworks'

Photo by Sherie Sloane

A day and a half are what's left of 2009. As the new year gets underway, we'll see fireworks and tunes of 'Auld Lang Syne' will be heard. New Year's celebration is the oldest of all holidays, dating back to 4000 years ago. But did you know that New Year's Day wasn't always celebrated on January 1st?

It used to be late March, which is the beginning of Spring. A logical time to start a year since it's the season of rebirth and blossoming. It was only in 153 B.C. when the Roman Senate declared January 1 as the beginning of a 'new year'.

Different countries celebrate New Year's with their own traditions. Some traditions I fondly remember while growing up are:

• Lighting up fireworks to drive away bad spirits and bad luck. The louder it is, the better.
• Jumping as high as you can soon as midnight strikes, to grow taller.
• Wearing polka-dotted outfits for prosperity.
• The house must be well-lit to invite good luck in every corner.
• And of course, lots and lots of food. You should have twelve kinds of round fruits for luck.

I'm looking forward to share some of these traditions to our own kids when they're old enough. I'll have to make them understand though that practicing these traditions won't guarantee them a better life. But cheerful traditions and positive outlook are sure ways to jumpstart a year wih lots of hope and excitement.

I wish to thank all of you for another year of shared stories and memories. May you and your family have a wonderful and Blessed New Year.