A recollection....

After a few long months of waiting the book that i'm working on is finally complete. The book is called,"The Ironman" written by Voicu Mihnea Simandan and carefully illustrated by yours truly. The collaboration started somewhere around early february of 2008.

I've met this new friend online, a frequent visitor in my blog, who've also told me about a brilliant author (Voicu Mihnea Simandan) who was at that time looking for someone who can create some illustrations for a fictional children's story that he was working on. Though i was new and inexperienced, i was interested with the job on offer, so i've decided to pack-up all my hidden confidence and might and contacted him through his website. From that moment on there was no looking back for me, everthing happened just like magic.

"The Ironman" was actually my very first book ever to illustrate. I've done some illustrations and cartooning jobs in the past but this one being a book itself was a different experience for me, an absolute unknown ground. As expected, there were some sleepless nights trying to complete some time consuming, and brain-draining illustrations before the deadline comes, and times when i had to juggle my way between illustrating and the very hectic schedules of my full-time job. But, the over-all experience was absolutely and undeniably exceptional. I've enjoyed it a lot.

Currently, i'm working on another one of Voicu Mihnea Simandan's book that is equally as interesting as the first one. "The Ironman" is full of twists and adventures that you and your kids will certainly find yourselves drawn into it's every pages for hours and hours. And though i'd love to tell you more about what to expect from this amazing book, i'll refrain doing so because it won't be fair for the author, myself, and all the efforts that was involved in this project isn't it, so i'll leave all that to yous to find out for yourselves. By the way, you can check this book and know more about the author himself online by clicking those links i've left below. Goodluck on your adventures everyone.

http://tinyurl.com/db27h7 - The Ironman. A play

http://ironmanbooks.blogspot.com/ - The Ironman Books

http://stores.lulu.com/mihnea - Mihnea's storefront

Tagak (white herons)

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AB was always requesting for a sunset from me before, so finally here's her sunset.... With a little bit of my touch in the foreground of course ha-ha....! Here's my version of a majestic looking Philippine White Heron.... Aren't they lovely....? I always see this bird in the rice fields when i was still in the philippines.... But you know what, i've never done this before in colors.... Actually, this is only the second time that i've drawn this bird in colors, the first one was with my last drawing below.... =D

Beast of burden

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A couple of hours ago i was thinking of a scene to draw, something Filipino again of course ha-ha....! It's been a while since i last updated my blog so i was really trying to finish this as fast as i could tonight.... I was thinking of another landscape, but a plain landscape would be a bit lifeless isn't it....? That's why i've end up adding this Carabao and its calf in the foreground.... Looks alright....! I call this one, "Beast of burden" because this beast is always involved in the hardworks and heavy loads in the farm....

Babae sa kumot (Lady in the blanket)

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It's been a while since i last posted a new drawing here, so before everyone gets bored of coming over and waiting for a new one to be posted, here's another drawing that i did just a couple of hours ago hope you'll like this one.... This is my imagination gone too far ha-ha....!

Actually the whole idea of this composition is not about the naked lady, but about the blanket she's sitting on....! I was just trying to find out if i know how to draw a large piece of fabric with all those folds, twists, and wrinkles on it.... The naked lady is just an added attraction....! =D

Labandera ( Laundry Lady )

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It's been a while since my last art.... I was so busy doing a lot of things lately plus a job that i've found online so the only time that i can do some blogging is during the weekends.... Anyways, here's another one for yous.... This time it's about the Laundry Lady or Labandera in Filipino....

In some remote towns where the shallow rivers are still alive with crystal clear water from the cool springs and large river channels high up in the mountains, this is a very common sight mostly in the early morning when it' is still cool and free of the baking sun.... The women, mostly housewives gathers by the rocky bank of the river to wash their laundry in a large galvanise pans that we call Batya in filipino language.... Have a great weekend all....! =D

Harana (Serenade)

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Since the whole world is going to celebrate Valentines Day soon, i wanted to share to you this drawing that i've really composed today for the coming day of love and lovers.... I call this piece Harana (serenade).... Well, this doesn't usually happen under a mango tree like my version here because the parents then were very strict, but i think this is close enough....! =D

The filipino traditional Harana usually took place just below or by the maiden's bedroom window where she can look down and listen to the patient lad and his guitar offering a lovely song as his way of telling her his humble, and honest intension.... This is still a very common practice in small towns and barrios nowadays, but does not exist anymore in the big cities where the present generations were already influenced by the western ways and lifestyles....

....Happy Valentines Day all....!!!

Sabong (Cockfighting)

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I really don't know what to post today, but i was so desperate to update because i haven't done that for quite a while now that's why i have no choice but to post this one.... It's a bit cruel though, this is shall i say one little cruel corner of my culture ha-ha....!

It's like one of those gladiator thingy, the roosters here will fight, bleed, and die like those early days roman gladiators.... I did this one last night with a few quick strokes of my tablet's pen while i was talking to AB.... I just like the way i've captured the movements here but not really planning to post it, but look who's talking now.... =D

Tagged by Paulette

Also, i've been tagged by Paulette.... This tag is for five things you don't know about me.... Thanks Paulette....!

1. I don't have a formal training in arts, but i've discovered my talent in drawing when i was six....

2. I always dream of becoming a wildlife illustrator one day.... Isn't it obvious in my arts that i love drawing animals....? =D

3. I'm not only good in drawing, i'm also a good cook....! I can create a good dish or desserts by heart out of just anything edible that is available in the kitchen in a flash....!

4. The last time i've eaten a solid breakfast was two years ago....! I don't normally eat anything in the morning, except a cup of coffee....

5. I love fishing so much but never really successfully did one since i was twelve..... It always ends up just during the planning process, everytime.... =D

Thanks again to Paulette for this tag....! =D

Kalesa (Horse carriage)

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While nursing my sore left shoulder and arm, my right hand was busy doing this....! Actually, i'm not sure if i did it right here.... I really don't remember how a Kalesa looks like, this is just how i've imagined it.... This is the taxi cab of the old days in the philippines.... The humble and undying Kalesa is still being used in some other parts of the country but mostly for tourism purposes only nowadays....

Though i believe that we've just inherited this ways of transport from the spanish era, the humble Kalesa has been and will always stay as an icon and a great symbol of the filipino culture and traditions.... =D