My dentist's office

I sat in my dentist’s waiting room yesterday and was surrounded by my own paintings. More than a year ago, I made arrangements for some of my paintings to be hung in his clinic but I still get surprised with each visit.

The Brook is the biggest attention-drawer, according to the office. No wonder, it is a 30″ x 40″ canvas with lovely autumn colors.

Benguerra Coast is the second most popular piece among the lot. It is a 16″ x 20″ oil painting (including frame).

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I'm back!

I just got back from a 5-week vacation to Manila, Kuala Lumpur, and England.  My husband and I enjoyed the food in various restaurants in Eastwood Mall, Quezon City and at my sister's home, and I loved sampling the local cuisine at the hawker stalls in Lorong Perak, Kuala Lumpur.  Much as I love food and wine, I won't be featuring them in my art anytime soon.  I need to finish the canvasses I started before I left.

Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring

Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring

This is my favorite among Vermeer's paintings.  In my art class in 1996, when Vermeer's works were visiting at the National Art Gallery in Washington, DC, my art teacher asked us to copy it.  Armed with just a small magazine print of the painting, I started working on a 16" x 20" canvas.  Below is what came out:

My version of Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring

You will see the difference outright but it was not a bad attempt considering that I had only been painting for two years then.

STOP THE CARNAGE!

Voices of Hope, Oil on Canvas, 21" x 21"

 

I painted "Voices of Hope" to express my solidarity with the protesting women of the Middle East whose voices against the carnage in their homelands are muffled by politics and guns.

Flaming Lava reposted

In August 2011, I took a three-hour art class with Ed Furuike in Honolulu (http://www.furuikeart.com/web/) on oil painting with a palette knife.  Ed is a Hawaiian professional artist who really enjoys teaching.  I was delighted to be in his class and marveled at what one could do on a canvas with a palette knife.  I completed “Flaming Lava” below which he mailed to me.  I couldn’t believe I did it with a palette knife.

I chose the model from one of Ed’s magazine photos and bravely started what I had never done before, with his guidance and help.  Then he suggested that I add a white bird to the scene (barely discernible in the upper middle part of the frame).  When there is a volcanic eruption, Hawaiian legend says the lone white bird is Pele which travels alone and is protective of its domain.

Flaming Lava, Oil on Canvas, 14" x 18"

I still don't feel comfortable with palette knife painting but I have finished an abstract piece I called "Tsunami" done mostly with a palette knife (see below) and recently started a seascape with a combination of brush and palette knife.  I will post an image when I finish it.

Tsunami, oil on wood, 13" x 14"

Copying images - theft or compliment?

I google myself rarely but did several days ago and was surprised to find my painting Grief (below) in a few sites.  I had the same experience a couple of years ago and wrote on the blog of the author, asking why my permission was not asked before posting the image.  The image had been taken out.  This time, I posed the same question to the blogger, got a huge apology and my image was taken out.  He studiously looked for my name to give me credit and that was much appreciated.

I have a website and a blog so my paintings are "out there" and can be  used.  I have no watermark to protect it because I don't like watermarks - it ruins the image, I think.  In this day and age of the internet, images can be easily copied and used, copyright notwithstanding.    

"Grief" has been used quite a few times in people's blogs to reflect their feelings about a personal or public tragedy and I am flattered.  I am proud of this piece, as well as my other paintings of "suffering women".  But I would appreciate it very much if those wishing to use any of my images to ask my permission first and not to attribute their postings to me.

 

"Grief" by Cynthia Angeles

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

I wish everyone good health, good cheer, and better circumstances in your endeavors.  I might as well wish myself the same things.  A few thoughts about my art came to mind:

Where is my art going?  Is it going anywhere?  Does it matter?  Of course, it does to any artist.  Will I carry on painting?  Of course, I will.  I just hope that my website will help my art gain exposure and that it will eventually translate into sales so that I can paint some more!

GRIEF

Grief, Oil on Linen, 31" x 25" 

I can best express my feelings about the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut through my painting above, Grief. 

Christmas is almost here!

I still get excited about the holidays despite a sad but funny episode in my childhood.  I was about 5 or 6 years old when I hung an old stocking by my bedpost on Christmas Eve, only to find it empty on Christmas Day.  I wondered why Santa passed me by so I asked my mother why.  She then asked me with a straight face:  Did you wash your stocking before hanging it?  Maybe that is why Santa didn't leave you anything.  From then on until I figured out who Santa really was, I made sure my Christmas stocking was clean and fresh.

Thanksgiving gets me started on the holiday mood and I start thinking of getting the wreath out, putting some Christmas decorations together (but not a tree), and fixing up the place.  I also planned on sending Christmas cards but I ran out of time this year so I have sent e-cards instead (sorry!)

Since Thanksgiving week, I have worked on four (yes, four!) canvasses.  Because of holiday preparations and parties, I have put them aside.  Hopefully, I will get to finish them early next year.  I wish everyone one of the following:

    a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
    Happy Hanukkah,
    Happy Kwanzaa, or simply
    Happy Holidays

Computer Woes Saga

I work on my computer all the time to update my websites and my blogs. Having found myself riddled with freezing problems since April this year, I had to rely heavily on my iPad (quite useful but with limited functions) for email and internet. My desktop was a Dell Inspiron 560s which was just 2 years old when the freezing happened. Because my warranty had expired, I had to purchase additional warranty from Dell for them to resolve the problem. I was also persuaded to purchase Norton 360 for protection. After spending close to $300, I worked with the Dell technology staff for days, resetting my desktop to factory settings, etc. but to no avail. In the end, they refunded what I spent and recommended that I take my desktop to a local computer repair expert.

And so I did. In July 2012, I took my desktop to Arlington Virginia Computer Repair. Alex was quite helpful and personable. My desktop went through their diagnostic process. It was determined that my desktop had a failed hard drive. This included a brand new hard drive, Windows, drivers, updates and basic software (including free anti-virus) installation, tune-up and testing. The intermittent freezing did not stop, however, even after the installation of a new video card, a cooling fan, and BIOS update. One day, the monitor just went blank so I bought a new monitor, hoping that it was causing the problem. Well, the new monitor also froze, and after a few seconds, went blank.
      
I then decided to get a new desktop and use my recently bought monitor. When I got everything set up, I started restoring my files which didn't work well. I tried to access Mozilla and Facebook but couldn't so I contacted HP support, worried and furious because of what I had gone through. Luckily, the technician, after running some tests, asked what modem I was using. She determined that it was my old modem (a Westell Versalink 327W) which was causing the problem. She contacted Verizon for me. After a few tests, the tech rep decided to send me a new modem (free of charge!). Once I got the new modem set up, my computer started working and I haven't had any problems for 3 full days now (fingers crossed!).

Now, I have to see if I can sell my video card, motherboard, CPU, cooling fan, etc. to recoup some of my expenses.

Thoughts on Veterans' Day

I thought of all the veterans who served the United States in various wars and have been mostly forgotten or ignored by society. Thanks to all of you! I hope we will be able to give back what is (over)due you one way or the other.

Gen. Petraeus may have succumbed to human weakness but it is not for us to judge him. He served his country and its people well and he deserves respect for that.  And for that, we should be grateful.

Blue Mood and Indecision

 

Blue Mood, which had been selected as Nude of the Day for May 4, 2010 and October 7, 2012 at Barebrush Gallery, was again selected as Nude of the Day for November 11, 2012. You can vote for your favorite nude of the month and curator’s choice at the following link:

http://barebrush.com/NOTM/Archives/NOTM2012_11.php?calendar_nbr=0

Indecision, which had been juried in as Best-of-the-Rest at Barebrush Gallery for March 29, 2012 and for May 27, 2012, was chosen for November 30, 2012. To vote, here is the link:

http://barebrush.com/NOTM/Archives/BOTR2012_11.php?calendar_nbr=2

Having been selected three times by different jurors, both will be “retired” from the calendar competition at Barebrush Gallery.

Hurricane Sandy

The Washington area is bracing for the arrival of Hurricane Sandy.  It started raining last night but the weather forecast predicts very strong winds and several inches of rain.  Hopefully, there will be minimal property damage and the power stays on.

I wish I could neutralize a cold, rainy day like this by creating some colorful art on canvas but I have a terrible cold and a sore throat to boot.  I don't feel like doing much except watch the trees sway with the wind.  Oh well.... 

Blue Mood - Vote for Nude of the Month

Blue Mood, which was chosen as Nude of the Day for May 4, 2010 at Barebrush Gallery wa selected as Nude of the Day for Oct 7.  Voting ends soon so please vote for your favorite nude of the month and curator’s choice at the following link:

http://barebrush.com/NOTM/Archives/NOTM2012_10.php?calendar_nbr=0

Buy Now!

Good news! My website has a Buy Now option for my artwork through PayPal. Check it out!

Art By Cynthia Angeles

Early Light

Oil on Canvas, 17" H x 21" W

Bokid Collection

I have to share this with you. My niece, Pamela, and her family sell a beautiful collection of hand-woven fabrics and rugs made of natural fibers from the Philippines.  In addition, she creates beautiful one-of-a-kind jewelry.  Check it out:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bokid-Collection/276698695772244

The Bokid collection is available at Le Decor Francais, 1006 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10021.

http://www.bokidcollection.com
http://www.ledecorfrancais.com

Artist Talk

I recently attended an artist talk in a local gallery.  Three artists spoke about their processes, inspiration, significance of their work, etc.  It was quite interesting to hear what each had to say.  I left asking myself what I would say if asked to give an art talk.

I have given brief speeches during a couple of solo exhibitions before.  The direct questions from the audience helped me explain why I painted a certain piece or what stories lie behind some paintings.  Most of the time, though, it is difficult to articulate why I painted this or that.  Inspiration seldom visits and can be elusive.  Committing something to canvas is hard work.  For me, talking about it is even harder.

October is Filipino American Heritage Month

I am participating in the Brown Strokes on White Canvas (BSWC) exhibit at the Philippine National Multicultural Center from Oct 1 - 31, 2012.

7500 Livingston Rd, Oxon Hill, MD 20744 

Tel: 301-567-2280

Opening Reception: Sunday, Oct 7, 2012, 4pm - 7pm.
Please join us at the reception or see the exhibit at your convenience. 

No More Art Festivals For Me!

I have participated in three art festivals so far.  Each time, I had my own booth or table.  Although I have sold in those occasions, it was a lot of hard work.  The preparation had to be well-planned since I don't drive and had to rely on my husband or friends to drop me and my "wares" off.  I tried to pack the minimum paintings (and easels) so I didn't have to struggle carrying them from point A to point B and back.

The setting up could be fun and challenging as well.  Some experienced vendors bring their own folding tables and chairs to take best advantage of their space.

One other thing: people would easily buy jewelry or pottery but paintings (or even prints) are a hard sell.  The most difficult part for me was sitting alone, fighting to keep the bugs off me (they love me!), waiting for prospective customers to approach and buy.

Sure, it is always nice to people-watch but you can only do so much of that.  It gets boring after a while.  I think I will give the art festival a miss next year.