Maryland Federation of Art Water Works Exhibition

My painting, Floating Leaves II, was selected as one of 54 artworks (out of 580 pieces submitted) for the Maryland Federation of Art Water Works juried exhibition at the Annapolis Maritime Museum from September 16-November 1, 2015.

Floating Leaves II, oil on canvas, 19" x 15"

 

 

WILDFIRE

The devastation caused by the wildfires in Alaska and California reminded me of a painting I did below, "Wildfire", which I dedicated to the elite group of firefighters, Hotshots, who were killed in the Yarnell Hill wildfire in Arizona in June 2013; and to those who have suffered losses due to wildfires.

Not many people would want this on their walls - but I paint what I feel, and hopefully, touch a heart or two.

Wildfire, Oil on Canvas, 21" x 31"

Piano or Brush?

Since the death of my beloved piano teachers more than two decades ago, I virtually stopped playing my equally beloved Knabe upright. This year, I made a decision to stop painting until I sell more of my piling canvasses. Well, the piano beckoned again and I painfully started doing Hanon exercises and a couple of "treats" like attempting to play a Bach Invention and Liszt's Liebestraume Notturno III. My dexterity and sight reading have a long way to go but it feels good to play again. But...I can't wait to return to painting.

Current VIDA Design Collection

Okay, the Purple Spray design did not meet the required 3 pre-orders so it will no longer be available for purchase.  Currently, the following items from my design collection are available.  Use the code VIDAVOICES to get 20% off your order.  Here's where to order:

http://shopvida.com/collections/voices/cynthia-angeles

    Glamour Girl Scarf $40                                      Black Tupelo Scarf $40

 Autumn Leaves Scarf $40                                 Steaming Rocks Silk Top $75

My VIDA Design Collection

I have added two more items to my design collection at ShopVIDA:  Autumn Leaves and Purple Spray.  A minimum of 3 pre-orders are needed within 7 days, starting July 9, 2015 for each item to be put into production.  We all need to buy gifts for the coming holidays so tell your friends, relatives, and neighbors.  Use the code VIDAVOICES to get a 20% discount on your order.

To order, here is the link:

http://shopvida.com/collections/voices/cynthia-angeles

 Autumn Leaves (modal scarf)                               Purple Spray (silk tee)

 

The Colors and Stripes of Our Flag

When I received my US Citizenship in 2006, I painted "Land of Many Stripes" (see below) to represent the United States of America.  I was born and raised in the Philippines which I love and honor.  Now, I have sworn loyalty to this country which I admire and have grown to love, yet criticize at times.  Because I can.

Land of Many Stripes

I painted a second piece, below, as a variation of the first one, above.

Stripes II

In light of the recent Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling that same-sex couples be allowed to marry, my "flags have never been so meaningful" for they represent all the peoples of this land of all "stripes" - white, black, red, yellow, LGBT, or straight.   

My VIDA Designs

The Glamour Girl Scarf

The Black Tupelo Scarf

The Steaming Rocks Silk Top

To order:  http://shopvida.com/collections/voices/cynthia-angeles

Exciting News!

I am now a designer for ShopVIDA!  This is a new concept for a company and a new project for me.  ShopVIDA uses artists's paintings or photographs to make them into wearable art.  Part of the earnings will be used to send their overseas workers to literacy schools.  My designs (four for now) will be used on scarves ($40) and a silk sleeveless top ($75). Use the code VIDAVOICES to get 20% off your order. A minimum of 3 orders of every design is required to put it into production, unfortunately, but this should improve as the company grows.  There are artists all over the world participating so, please check it out!  The link below will take you to my designs.

http://shopvida.com/collections/voices/cynthia-angeles

Painting with a knife

 Flaming Lava

I took a one-day class in knife painting when I visited Honolulu almost four years ago and completed a canvas painted solely with a knife.  It was difficult for me to adjust to the knife but the results were pretty good for a novice (see above).  I gave the painting to my nephew who lives in Waipahu.

Since then, I tried to incorporate a few knife strokes on my canvasses but have not been able to complete one solely with a knife.  I have watched a few videos about it and was transfixed with the ease with which the artists had filled the surface with stunning results.  Ten days ago, I went to an art store and bought a couple more painting knives to work with.  Instead of starting with a simple picture, I opted to paint the arms and hands of a farmer, and I am struggling.  I will continue working on it this weekend and post the results upon completion.  I hope it won't take me too long.

Artists' Talk - Food for the Body, Food for the Soul

Well, the talk is over and done with.  I had prepared a short paragraph describing what my art is all about but was, instead, asked to talk about my interpretation of the show's theme.  My painting, "Repose" (see image in my previous post) is about seeking balance in one's life.  We nourish our bodies with food and drink, but we also need relaxation and some quiet time to re-energize our mind and bodies.

Someone asked if "Repose" was a self-portrait, perhaps, because of the subject's Asian features, but it wasn't really.  I did not have a model for the painting so I created the image of a woman trying to achieve a moment of tranquility in her busy life.

   

Food for the Body, Food for the Soul

I am one of 30 artists participating in the exhibition “Food for the Body, Food for the Soul” at the Watergate Gallery and Frame Design, from January 31 – March 31, 2015. The painting below, “Repose”, is my interpretation of what fuels the body and soul.

 Repose

Come join us at “Meet the Artists” evening at 6 pm on Wednesday, March 11th.

Watergate Gallery and Frame Design (lower level near CVS)
2552 Virginia Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20037
TEL: 202-338-4488