The last art tambay before lockdown

August 10, 2020September 16, 20201 Comment

The week after Stickercon, news about the coronavirus appearing in Metro Manila made everyone anxious. On Monday, our office announced that they are looking into the situation and are already planning on moving everyone out soon. The next day, the number of covid cases doubled. Our office then announced that whoever can book a grab at the end of our shift can do so. Wednesday, half of our office were already working from home. I was also forced to move out that day since nobody was coming to work anymore tomorrow. Thus, in a week our office made it possible for everyone to move out and work from home. For myself, I had permission to work at the office of fiance’s family’s resto business.

I thought that was the end of my problem. We even had an art tambay that weekend too lol. Here are the last few days of the outside world and meeting with friends:

Who knew that this would be our last art tambay for now?

Some peony paintings.

And then peony buds.

The week after, the government announced that everything will be on lockdown HAHA. So we had to move my work pc again back to my fiance’s house. We had to re-arrange the room to fit everything in. It was stressful. But it was okay, for now.

Noticed that the chronological order of the blog posts will jumble around now. Oops. Soon to come (hopefully) will be the Komiket and Stickercon posts.

Volunteer for MovedPH

August 9, 2020September 16, 2020Leave a comment

Around November last year, I had the privilege of volunteering for MovEd Org: a non-profit organization that advocates for early childhood education. My friend Aira was the main artist who designed the proposed murals for their classrooms in Navotas. She asked Hannah and I to help in painting the murals. We thought we were supposed to paint a wall each. Nope! Instead, we each got a classroom HAHAHA.

As volunteer artists, we were asked to sketch and translate Aira’s designs to the walls so the volunteers can easily color them. Sort of like a giant coloring book.

Paint ready for today’s mural!

We used the org’s readily available paints. I think the paint was already old since we had a hard time applying it to the wall. So we had to reapply another layer for every flower.

The first layer

First layer for my classroom

A second coat and some progress

The back of the classroom. It was a flower explosion!

Some of the volunteers were from MovEd PH, teachers, parents, and some students as well! It was a community effort to help improve the classrooms in Navotas.

Hannah’s classroom

Progress

Hi Bebs

Aira’s classroom

Huge sunflowers! ♥

It took us the whole day, but we finished all 3 classrooms!

Teacher, bat nakapikit ako?

Because I love sunflowers. (Excuse the bangs lol)

Congrats to Aira for the beautiful design concepts! And thank you to MovEd PH for the opportunity! We had a great time. Thank you for inviting us. ♥

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Aira Denise San Antonio (@airadenisee)

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5Y8Mh4nLwm/

Make Space Today – Art Tambay

July 26, 2020August 16, 2020Leave a comment

When was this event? I think it was in October last year? Anyway, Make Space Today held an “art tambay” event and invited other artists to encourage people to go and meet. The event started at around 4pm but I was already there around morning time lol since I needed to create the construction drawings for a residential project.

They rearranged the tables into one long table

I invited Hannah, Aira, and my cousin Sydney to the event. They also went earlier than 4pm so we could utilize the time spent in MST.

The table ♥

Left: My incomplete piece | Right: Sydney’s painting

TBH I didn’t concentrated much in painting. I was everywhere catching up / chikahan with my friends / and meeting new people lol. It was a fun event tho! The experienced artists were all game for the demos & question and answer portions. I hope the beginners learned a lot. ♥

Tweedlebook Cafe

June 12, 2020August 16, 2020Leave a comment

One of the surprising things that we experienced after Stickercon was getting contacts and commissions. Some guests liked our work that they invited us to their events, ask for commissions, or consign to their stores. One was Tweedlebook Cafe.

Tweedlebook cafe is located in the inner streets of Tomas Morato area. Its a small, cozy, book cafe that offers coffee and delectable food.

My flower sticker packs. ♥

I once had my own alone time art tambay there.

After a year, Tweedlebook announced that they are closing the store and will do a rebrand in the future. Thank you for having us artists sell in your place and good luck to your future endeavors!

Make Space Today – other visits

May 25, 2020September 23, 2021Leave a comment

On my first post, I wrote about my first visit at Make Space Today. In this post, I’ll write about my other visits. Particularly about my best friend’s birthday celebrations.

My finished works during one visit.

I don’t remember the chronological order of these photos. But I remember that on one visit I was with Shine (I helped her with her product shoots), another with Hannah(she did origami all day), another with Monique (I brought my color pencils), and the end of July was with Ivy and Hannah for their birthday celebrations.

Started and finished this piece in MST!

This was a re-paint of one of my older paintings.

Hannah’s collection of origami.

I really love my tilapia pouch lol.

My prismacolor pencils. ♥

On Ivy and Hannah’s birthday celebration, we first had a video call with Ruth (who’s currently working in Japan) touring the space together. A while after that, we went to Malingap Central since an eco-friendly event was happening. We went around the stalls and then had our lunch.

Ivy’s corner was full of green design and eco-friendly books.

Hannah brought her laptop and tablet so she could draw digitally.

I did these paintings.

Playing with the emboss machine. This was the first time that I took interest in MST’s tools lol.

The gurlz. ♥

Make Space Today

May 24, 2020August 7, 20202 Comments

Last year, I learned from friends that they applied to a creative course at Make Space Today – a new space inside the Malingap Food Central at Malingap Street. It’s an incubating space for people who want to join/apply to Common Room but may need guidance and training first. I didn’t join – but I did visit the place numerous times last July. For non-members, it was basically a co-working creative space for 550php a day. It had wifi, aircon, and free-flowing coffee (among other things). It was basically a daycare center for me while waiting for Inggo to finish his work.

Store front.

As mentioned, I went here a few times and I’ve already memorized the spaces. This post would be the about my first visit + photos of the space. Picture heavy post ahead!

Behind the registration counter is this view of the tool nook.

Wall art of their artists.

Monique’s shelf!

Shine’s shelf!

Pantry area.

My usual spot.

My usual space is near the entrance and pantry area for quick drink refills. To be honest, it had a great selection of art materials and supplies – everything you need to try out every art medium was there. I didn’t try any HAHAHA. I was just happy in my own table, painting using my own materials and drinking coffee.

Crafting / embroidery / journaling / art materials corner.

Reference books and more pics of the tool nook.

Pin making.

Sewing kit!

Weaving.

My usual view. ♥

Just trying out new colors.

Monique learning weaving.

On my first visit, Monique was also there for her pulse check. She also had to create photos for her products / artworks. Good thing that MST also has props for flatlay photo shoots.

Outdoor area with Wilcon tiles, plants, and stools. The meeting room is for MST’s workshops.

This corner has more stools and an under construction room.

Monique taking photos of her works HAHA.

Since I was already there, might as well take flatlay photos of my works HAHAHA.

More flatlay. ♥

Some would argue that the fee is expensive. I don’t mind, though? I could have spent the same amount or more in other places. People would also judge me and my friends whenever we do art tambays in said places. In MST, somehow it made me feel safe. I usually arrive there around 10am and leave by 7pm. I created a lot of artworks. I was focused. But it seems none of my friends agree on the price hahaha.

Himi Miya Gouache

May 12, 2020August 7, 2020Leave a comment

A few days after PaperCon, I bought the recently popular on Social Media gouache that looks reasonably priced for the amount you get – Himi Miya Gouache.

I got the pink cover! Bought this from Craft Central.

It’s reasonably priced! You’d get 24 colors in 30ml refillable jelly cases.

Below are some of my first artworks using this. I was still in my watercolor mode when I was making these. Its kinda hard to transition from one medium to another. I hope I could practice using this again!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4rjGSxnLjK/

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paulina Dennise (@suffnirain)

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4wICu8H_bv/

Komiket 2019

April 13, 2020August 7, 20201 Comment

A week after Papercon is the bi-annual Komiket held at the same venue Eton Centris Elements. Instead of only the Prosperity hall, this event booked the whole venue.

Komiket ticket. Art by Betsy Cola

Preview of my haul.

Blood of the Shinobi by the OG himself, Pol Medina Jr.

Kwentong Tibo Vol. 1 & 2 by Landlee Mae.

Thank you for doodling me!

Finally got a copy of Trese book 7!

Was surprised that Hunghang Flashbacks has released Book 2! And also got a copy of the finally completed Sagala comic.

Flower sticker by Chichilittle. Manila Bloom and the Teacup sticker from the husband and wife team Kuro.Saku. Anti Depressants stickers by NicholeCruz. The Leafy cat sticker from TheOffbeatCat. Other cat stickers from MeowProject.

Girl print from Priichan. Sky stickers from PaperPirateShip. Mga Aralin sa Pagsulat and Penguin pin from Velbe.

Girl prints from Astro Jimbo art! I forgot the artist for the lotus huhu. Wala Na’kong Pera from AndyArtventure. Tamaki sticker by KannahKisaragi. Vintage stickers by Akim.63. Sunflower stickers by DollyKayeArt.

Star Wars pabili by an officemate.

Hannah and I went to Tweedle Book after to ingress some of our stickers. 😀

I bought this in Tweedle because why not HAHAHA.

Current Postcards

March 31, 2020August 7, 2020Leave a comment

For Papercon, one of the products that I thought would sell would be my postcards. Since, well, they’re paper. So I made a bigger postcard selection for this. I’m forever thankful that I’m beside our office library so I could take product shots.

My postcards and other products are now available in our online store. Please have a look!

The “dark background” series.

English Rose, Quince, Sakura.

Peonies!

Lotus!

Magnolias.

Sunflower Lanterns and an old Hydrangea painting.

Papercon Haul

March 29, 2020August 7, 2020Leave a comment

Papercon was a blast! I got to meet more floral artists that day. Below is my humble haul from the event:

Hydrangea sticker from Chichi (@chichilittle) | Sombra sticker from Pixel Hero PH (@pixelheroph) | Roses and Sunflowers from Kara Leonida (@renka002)