getting back on track with my art

When I was a little girl our grandfather would take us out to eat lunch at a restaurant and shop at National Bookstore. It was always a treat for me (actually for all of us cousins) because he would ask us to pick one item to buy every time. I still remember my first set of watercolors (the Guitar ones in a yellow plastic casing with a free brush) I was so excited when we got home that the first thing I created were dinosaurs from a volume in our encyclopedia set. I can get lost painting; I even refuse to take baths because of it.

Then I tried out other things like colored pencils, charcoal pencils, markers...and there was also a time I was super addicted to Origami (I actually still am). Looking back, I was an artsy child...but puberty happened, I guess. I was too busy with friends and my social life that I stopped. Also, I was discouraged when my class voted for me to join this illustration contest where I went blank. My output was so disappointing even to me. This let me down; I quit.

And then in college I shifted from Biology to Fine Arts (Interior Design). This was when I was reunited with watercolor! I loved rendering classes and home works. Most of my close friends are the best at manipulating this medium that I was always a little insecure to hone my skills. I just wanted to finish my work and not put in any extra effort to do my best.

And then I became a mother. I think marriage, motherhood and surfing helped me find my way back to art. I became so inspired that I do make time for all of these things to fit into our lives. As you know, I am a full-time mom without any help. But I get to squeeze in yoga, surfing, and now...painting into my schedule. It also helps that Adam is so supportive of me. He wants me to find my passion/s; he wants me to be "me." He even put me into workshops like the calligraphy session I attended last month; and today the "Crafternoon" with Alessa Lanot from Life After Breakfast.

Honestly, I was so anxious last night because I have this tendency to belittle myself with the things I do. Also, because of the separation anxiety I have with my daughter which I am really working on. But Adam always reminds me to just have fun...because I am doing it to learn for myself and not for anyone else; besides, the fulfillment would be mine.This mentality got me to enjoy today's workshop. It also helped that my cousin Mel was there, too. The lessons were so organized; and the step by step instructions of Alessa made it so easy to understand. It was my first time using radiant concentrated watercolor ink. It was so great to use! I love illustration...but creativity is a thing I lack because I'm the kind of person who prefers things black and white, organized, and neat. I try really hard to think out of the box.

Here are a few exercises that we did:

I had a grand time letting my creative juices flow; and also finding inspiration from others' work, too! Also, I came home to a happy girl...and happiest when I bought her another stamp set. I hope everyone had a good weekend!

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38/52

 "A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Our little heart breaker.

I still can't believe I've birthed this one of a kind girl. All I prayed for when I was pregnant was a healthy baby. I guess we are so blessed that we were given more. I have been taking care of Bean since day one and I can say that I/we did a good job. You'll never believe the things going on in her head! You will also be surprised with her wit and her being so proper. Here are a few conversations we had with her:

While in the car, she insists on sitting by herself at the back because she's a big kid now:

Adam: Hi, baby how was school?

Bean: Daddy, I'm not a baby; I'm a kid!

While I covered her with her baby blanket she told me in a sleepy voice:

"Mommy, can you buy me a bigger blanket? This is too small."

When we offer her things she does not like:

"No, thank you."

Every time she sees that I'm tired:

"Why are you tired, mommy? Is it because of me? You better take your nap. I'll take care of you."

She asks me regularly if her daddy is at work and why. Because I always answer her the same way she doesn't ask me anymore; but she says to herself:

"Daddy is at work so we can eat and pay our bills."

I may tire out at the end of the day; but before I sleep I recall our conversations and our moments and this fills my heart with lots of love. Have a happy week ahead!

to the sea

While most people might miss it, the sea gives us so much. It gave us so much. I think that being around it has enhanced our relationship a lot. Not just our marriage but our being parents and friends, too. Adam and I continue to push each other to be the best version of ourselves; whereas before, we remained in a stand still doing daily chores and responsibilities in the city.

Another thing that the sea has given me (or us) is my longing for friends. Don't get me wrong...I do have friends; but just a handful who get me a hundred percent. People whom I can be with as myself. During our early surf trips it was just Adam, me and Bean. Now, aside from the locals...we have two friends who tag along regularly. We just clicked right away! And what I love is, they voluntarily take care of our girl during these trips that make it easier for us to manage everything. I love them like family.

This last trip it was supposed to be just Adam, Bean, JP and me. So we arrived early; but the swell was too big for me and JP that only Adam went out with a few locals. Note: I love how we have become friends with them...they feel like family, too.

As I was shooting these photos the lens of the camera just came off. We guess that the plastic became brittle because of the heat. We've been using just one lens for our trips. Anyway, we sat and watched until all felt hungry. We brought pork to grill...unfortunately all of us weren't seasoned cooks that it took us three hours to make our lunch!

There were no glassy waves in the afternoon so me and JP made do with the whitewash. It was fun though I was looking for the long rides and the rush of paddling out. (Yeah, as if)

We were on our way back to our hut when we received a text from Joan that she was on her way! What a surprise, my lineup classmate is on her way! A little back story: Joan is my college classmate; I think we hung out about a few times but never really got to be good friends. We just got in touch through Facebook because she keeps on seeing my posts about surfing. Then she tagged along. That was that. I never thought I'd find a close friend in her.

That night we had a few drinks and some stories about life, surf, love and whatnot while Bean busied herself rolling on the bed to catch some sleep. Of course, we woke up the next day to surf early.

Well, we have zero photos of our session, but I am happy enough being able to paddle out in the lineup, get through big sets, catch a wave wherein I bailed because of confusion...and to get the longest ride yet c/o Ton-ton. Adam caught a lot of rides from morning 'til afternoon. Now, I need to work triple time to catch up with my man.

Bean and her friends. Oh how she loves Maricris that she

keeps on telling me about her. 

We love these kids!

Classmates until we grow old hahaha.

I have a lot more to talk about...but until next time! 

Mommy duties first.

Have a great week ahead!

37/52

37/52

 "A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

And we're back at the beach. Bean really loves it there. She does not ask for her iPad or anything else. She's happy and content running around the resort and being creative with anything she can put her hands on. 

I saw her pick up these fallen branches and I asked her, "Are you an "ent?" She answered, "Mommy, what ever is an 'ent'....I am a tree, you know that right? This is my costume but I have a shirt with stripes. So I am a zebra-tree." Creative, right?

I thought her turning three would be a slow transition from being a "baby"....I was wrong. She insists that she is a "kid" now ans that she shouldn't be doing baby stuff. "Mommy, those are for babies but I'm a kid so I don't like that." "Mommy, can I go with my friends? But you have to stay here okay, or maybe you should go away."

Last Saturday afternoon I was panicked because I lost sight of her and when she heard me call out her name she answered back, "Mommy! Just relax! I'm okay." And there goes my baby girl. Maybe one day you'd be ripping, eh?

Happy weekend!