Its 12:42 am and I just finished my preparation for later. I have to get some sleep and wake up to set my first ever exhibit. I learned a lot today and I am sure I will learn more by surprise. I had to measure each and every frame, fix and improve the painting and improve colors. Checklist:

1 Painting are all ready and measured
2 Brochures all printed
3 Nails, fishing line, measuring tape, pencil, hammer, lever, tape, scissors are all packed.
4 Labels all printed and cut
5 Extra set of paint and brush packed...just in case.
6 Camera battery charged
7 Dress and shoes chosen
8 Accessories chosen :)

I hope i did not forget anything...I wanted to wr

I am finally busy and I am loving it! I love preparing for an event. May it be a simple family dinner, an extravagant party, an elaborate gathering or just an afternoon tea. But now I am preparing for my own small exhibit and I am ecstatic. I must admit that I have doubted myself and my artworks many times this week. The "what if" syndrome hit me. I cried yesterday out of frustration because I was having a hard time preparing for my press release, brochures and posters because I dont speak proper Deutsch. Now the move to another country with completely different way of life, language and business method is hitting me. I was so complacent with my marketing knowledge and I forgot that I am not in Asia anymore.

Anyhow, the show must go on. I am still married to someone who knows the language and understands the way of life here and who most importanty support and love me dearly...so life is good!

I am ecstatic! I finally got a yes from a Kutur Cafe to showcase my artworks! It will be my first ever exhibit! Thank God for all the blessings. In line with my previous blog of Art for a Cause, I am now making a vow that a percentage of my sales i will generate from any exhibit will go to an orphanage. Most specially the Bethlehem House of Bread Orphanage in the Philippines. That orphanage broughts so much to my life. I helped them once by organizing a Christmas party for the orphans and it brought me so much in return and it is still filling my life with love and happiness. I owe them a lot.

The last two weeks has been very busy for me. I had my anniversary and my husband gave me a gift of inspiration. We flew to Spain Barceloa to see the artworks of my two favorite contemporary masters. We went to the Fundacion Joan Miro in Mt. Muntjuic and Picasso Museum. On gliclee prints I like Joan Miro better than Picasso. But seeing the original artworks of Picasso, I felt compelled to admire his rebelliousness better than anyone on that particular era. I dont like Picasso's early works. I like the Blue Era and most of his works after that period. One things I learned from  the trip to these museums is to compile even my most ridiculous sketches. Who knows, maybe when I am famous and so dead someday, my even my ridiculous sketches would go under scrutiny of known curators. Hey, its free to dream so let me be. I am not dreaming to be dead just yet, famous? yes!

Another event in my busy life is the fact that my daughter turned 18 this month. Colorful dramas is all I can say. In a week it will be my husbands birthday. Well so far I have made a newpainting and I cant say that it is done.

But there is this thought that kept playing in my head over and over again even when I am busy. ART FOR A CAUSE. It brings me so much joy and happiness to help theour less fortunate borthers and sisters. When I was 22 years old and living in New York, I used to send a check of $20 to a child in Equador asking for help with her education. I would send cheque and she will send letters and photos. At that time I did not doubt that it could be a scam. I trusted my feelings. I did that for 4 years. Then I left New York feeling happy that part of what I worked for helped somebody else. Then when I moved to the Philippines, I started a helping hand project where I hold Christmas parties for orphans. I asked foundations like Virlanie Foundation of Makati, Philippines and House of Bethlehem in Bulacan Philippines to allow me to host Christmas parties for the children under their care. I would ask my friends to help me in whichever way they can, may it be a can of powdered milk or old clothing and blankets. Its has always been a successful event. These are the sort of events that truly make me happy. That is why I thought of Art for a Cause.

Few days ago, a friend from Manila contacted me and asked me if I know of a way on how we can help our common friend living in Dubai. She lost her job in Dubai and completely broke. She cant afford aone way ticket back to Manila. She was given a month by the UAE immigration to sort out a ticket. If I am still an employee of Etihad Airways, I would be able to help right away. But I am not anymore, in fact I am jobless :) But that is not enough reason not to be able to help other people in need. I value each and evryone of my paintings. I have put my time, hardwork and money in them. But most of all, each of my paintings came from an inspiration. It is a connection of my emotion. It defines how i feel deep within me that only colors, lines and texture can express. It is a life by itself. So I thought of giving any of my valued painting to anyone who can help my friend in Dubai to go back home in the Philippines. Then I said....ahhh...ART FOR A CAUSE...God it feels good!

My husband and I were lucky we have a comfortable living space in Zurich. We both wanted a modern and minimalistic style for our space. Most of our furniture are white and the walls are white as well  except two walls painted in cappuccino brown. One is in the hallway and one in the main living room.  I recently claimed the cappuccino wall in the hallway to be my wall. That is where I hang most of my paintings. I also claimed the back wall of the fire place for my painting. There was an empty wall to serve as screen for our projector. I said WAS. Today I finished a painting sized 141X 101 cm and for some reason part of that wall seemed to be the perfect place for my new painting. So I claimed it...while my husband is away on a business trip. Lets see what his reaction will be.

But then again, the point is I am having too much artwork at home.  I enjoy seeing them. But at the rate of my production, soon I will have to claim the ceiling as well. So what now?

I very much wanted to have an exhibit. Being new in the art industry and new in Zurich, it is not easy. Since I have taken the role of domesticated goddess ;) I rarely go out and meet new people. I have taken a 360 degrees turn to my being Ms. Congeniality years ago.

I may not be Ms. Friendship now but I am still confident, ambitious and goal oriented. So I searched online for local galleries and viewed their collections. I chose one that is suitable for the style of my artwork. After few hours of research I found the one that I like most. Initially I had doubts and had been thinking twice weather or not to send them a mail. But then,  I told myself, what the heck, I should write....what have I got to loose...nothing actually. I was being honest. I have no formal education on arts, no long list of past exhibitions just a dream to share my work to the world. I LOVE TO PAINT AND I CANT STOP PAINTING!

Color Red  

  Red is the warmest of all colors. Red is the color most chosen by extroverts and one of the top picks of males. On the negative side red can mean temper or anger. In China, red is the color of prosperity and joy. Brides wear red and front doors are often painted red. Red is Tuesday's color. Red roses symbolize passionate love. Ruby rings should be worn on the left hand. Red is the color of Mars. This planet is known as the God of War.

Red Energy Red is associated with fiery heat and warmth. It can also mean danger (burning).

Red is the color of blood, and as such has strong symbolism as life and vitality. It brings focus to the essence of life and living with emphasis on survival. Red is also the color of passion and lust.

Put some red in your life when you want:

• increased enthusiasm and interest
• more energy
• action and confidence to go after your dreams
• protection from fears and anxieties

taken from: Emily Gems website

I woke up this morning pretty excited to start a new project. I prepared breakfast for my son and sent him to school. I had my usual cups of darjeeling with milk to wake me up. I checked my mails, then my facebook then I read my yesterdays blog. White, green and black...that is what I said. But then that is not what I feel like using anymore. I took out a fresh canvas and started setting up my usual corner in the kitchen. At first I took out red and brown..started mixing them and applying them on my fresh canvas. I took out black and white and applied them as well. First I was using a big flat brush, then moved to a smaller round brush. I squeezed more colors in my palette. I added yellow, pink. green and started mixing them. I changed brushes and even brush strokes...I used tissue papers and foams. I used everything that I can see around me. Then I looked on my canvas filled with all kinds of colors, brush strokes and effects except substance and meaning. I was too excited to reflect on my feelings. Its 1:49 PM and I ruined a perfectly clean canvas because I failed to see the true meaning of why I am painting.

We have two wedding anniversaries. One is today, 7th of March and the other will be on the 29th of March. For me, the first one is more romantic even though the latter embellished the true meaning of marriage according to the norm of the society where we live in.  No matter how selfish it may sound. our 7th of March wedding was very romantic because there was just the two of us. We packed light suitcase, drove within Europe, checked-in a hotel with a view of horses and sheep grazing on the meadow, slept that night and woke up the next day and got dressed for our civil wedding ceremony in the nearby city hall. The second one was more elaborate.It was a beach wedding somewhere in Asia where guests flew from Europe, America, Middle East and parts of Asia. The whole event was very memorable filled with love from family and friends. Why am I reminiscing all this now when I am supposed to be celebrating? I have...we had the late night tiramisu to welcome the day and the brunch with the family. And now I am alone as my other half is currently being served champagne aboard a private business class only plane bound to Newark. USA.  Needless to say, I am envious!  However, I am excited at the thought of starting a new project and messing a perfectly white canvas and witness how images appear after hours, days or weeks of working on it. I have white, green and black in my head at the moment. Cant promise but well see how it will turn out.