The world is changing at a super fast pace and “the unpredictability…is extraordinary.” Are we prepared to handle this unpredictability? What does it even mean to be prepared for the unpredictable?
It is no longer functional to define education as a process of transmitting what is known; it must now be defined as a lifelong process of continuing inquiry. And so the most important learning of all-for both children and adults-is learning how to learn, the skills of self-directed inquiry. (Sir Ken Robinson, Schools Kill Creativity)
The good news is that this era we’re in–the information age–is heaven for self-directed inquiry.
The Education hub of Alaya.PH explores learning in this context: how do we develop this skill of meta-learning or learning how to learn in Filipino children and adults, whether in or out of the classroom?
peer-to-peer learning networks
transitioning from traditional/ academic learning to alternative models: homeschooling, Waldorf
Here’s my expressive self-portrait done from memory. #selfie #drawing #blue
Selfie
Pastel on paper
12×18 inches
October 2016
Our final studio session for the art retreat was to do a self-portrait in the now, to find the thin line of quiet between the art that pushes and the art that pulls (according to James Joyce, this is where proper art resides). Using a photo reference as an initial guide, I just let myself play and this came out. It’s like an amalgam of all the recent art periods in one, with the 21st century felt in the selfie pose. The nagging questions that I still carry with me: what is contemporary art? Even modern art is old already! And how do we, as artists, create art that is future-oriented?
Started off this weekend transported to the Renaissance, putting on the hat of an apprentice eager to learn the old ways from drawing a work of the great Masters.
After a half hour break, we moved on to copying a Rembrandt, which was an exercise in light and shadows. Rembrandt did over 90 self-portraits in his life (wow!), experimenting extensively with light. During this period, portraits took a departure from the classic and perfect images of the Greeks to these soulful, maybe more human pictures.
Here are the other Rembrandts from last weekend’s art retreat. We had a gifted facilitator, Van James, an artist-teacher from Hawaii who led us through the changes in the visual arts over time. Other participants shared how they felt so melancholic doing these drawings. Beginning artists usually shy away from shadows–we like to show the face in its full glory… but we eventually learn that it is in bringing in the shadows that the best light comes out. Interesting metaphor for life. ????
William Turner was an English painter known for his landscapes that captured light in a new way. From the detail-oriented art of the Renaissance we moved on to copying these loose renderings of the outdoors, done in nice, gestural strokes. I’ve always been a fan of Turner, who liked to experience raw nature as inspiration for his works. He painted this piece after a train ride during a rainstorm, where he put his head out the window to take it all in.
Here’s my #wip rendition of an impressionist landscape, done hurriedly (I took too much time taking in nature!). I picked a spot under a tree, facing a lily pond and pool. Impressionism grew from a group of young Parisian artists, inspired in part by Turner’s fascination with light. They painted with loose gestures, later on called impressions. This style was such a departure from the Canon of art in those days, but these impressionist works are the most popular and widely viewed in museums all over the world today.
From drawing impressions of the outside world, we moved on to doing expressionist landscapes. I think this one is by the Russian painter, Kandinsky. It was physically tiring to draw with expressive strokes, but this was a very enjoyable drawing for me! Look at all those colors!
Expressionism gave artists free reign over color, and as expected, it was also a freeing art period to draw through. I loved, loved, loved the range of colors in my classmates’ works! #arthistory #transformativepowerofart #expressionism #landscape #drawing
Finally settling in here in Chiang Mai. Love the area inside the old city with cobblestone streets and quaint shops and restos. Great for wandering around, even with the occasional drizzle. Happy there’s so much green everywhere! Seems the Thai aesthetic uses a lot of gardens to bring in the outdoors.
This morning I woke up to marching band music and saw a school parade happening along the moat on the perimeter of the old city. It lasted a good 15 minutes! The music reminded me of the funeral parade in Kurosawa’s Dreams. Great start to the weekend.
People here hire motorbikes for transport but I’ve been going around in the local red trucks equivalent to the PH jeepney, which lets one scale the city perimeter (2 sqkm on each side) while enjoying a good breeze.
It’s easy to get templed out in Thailand but this hilltop Wat on Doi Suthep had something that made me linger and find a dose of quiet amidst the crowd. I went up a little after noon and took a moment exploring the temple grounds before entering the main site, where a golden structure was built to house ancient relics. The king, in meditation, asked for guidance on where to build the temple. He then rode an elephant which circled this spot three times. Maybe those people walking around the structure do so to commemorate this in prayer. #doisuthep #temple #chiangmai #thailand
The prettiest Buddha I have seen. It had a throng of people offering candles and flowers before it.
#buddha #doisuthep #temple #chiangmai #thailand
Got up close and personal with this gentle baby elephant yesterday. Definitely a trip highlight. Signs of a happy elephant: flapping ears, side-to-side swaying, and swinging tail. A baby elephant eats 1000kg of fruits, leaves, and basically anything in the jungle everyday!#chiangmai #elephant
Another sensory treat from last night–a buffet of pinks, blues and florals at Mama’s Table private dining at the ancestral hilltop home of Chef Vicky Tinio. The living and dining areas consisted of a big hall surrounded by picture windows and wooden elements that served as a warming curtain from the biting cold outside.
We walked into a wonderland this afternoon! Whimsical nooks and crannies in a multi-storey living space by artist Kidlat Tahimik. Felt like I was in post-apocalyptic Waterworld, kulang na lang si Kevin Costner. #artistvillage #baguio #creativespace #Ili-likha
Mosaic art inside Ili-likha Artist Village. #creativespace #baguio
My favorite space in this crazy cozy place. No slippers please!
I loved waking up to a painting day everyday at the Art Students League. My schedule ran from 1:00pm-9:30pm, which now seems long and exhausting, but I especially enjoyed staying late nights at the studio, working on Abstract Paintings under Frank O’Cain.
Here’s my very first output from his class:
I am still; I am moving.
Acrylic on canvas paper
18×24 inches
July 2, 2014
My first completed work under Frank O’Cain, abstracted from a doodle I made in January. Frank was my top choice for a teacher at the League. I really wanted to find creative direction in abstract painting, and I resonated with his works and statements when I first saw them online. I met him last week — he’s a jolly old man with a sense of flow about him. The class I’m taking is Painting, Composition and Abstraction, and he kept reminding everyone to be aware of movement and balance in our work. He told me to come back today with a painting to show him. I came up with three works. He liked two of them. It was a happy moment when he smiled and said, “You’re good. You’ve got it!” I still have so much to learn and I don’t want to be a one-hit wonder, so I will just let loose and be as playful as I can be. Frank said I can be bolder or surer of my strokes (as opposed to having wishy washy and “safe” strokes). His parting words were very encouraging though: “You’re going to have a lot of fun here!”
On my second week, Frank did a demo, abstracting from still life:
He went from this…
…to this:
…in 1.5 hours. The overall spirit of the demo was lighthearted and cheerful, and Frank was indulgent with our questions and excited interruptions. It’s always a pleasure to watch an artist get in the zone and have his way with his medium, but when a teacher is doing it to deliberately share his creative process, it’s even more rewarding, for everyone.
Here’s the aftermath of his palette:
Looks straightforward and honest. Â I like that about acrylics.
Other works I did under his watch:
Brooklyn Bridge
Acrylic on gesso board
12×16 inches
July 2, 2014
Black squirrel
16×20 inches
Acrylic on canvas paper
July 3, 2014
Just playing! Learned to use bigger brushes today — enjoyed my strokes here. This one is for that nice day I saw a black squirrel at the park. #painting #acrylic #abstract #art #goodvibe
Abstracting the black squirrel…
Remember the Black Squirrel painting from last week? This is how it looks now. I’ve been going deeper into abstract painting, which for me is an even more demanding process than realism. You can’t do abstract work if you’re not centered. The piece may be overworked as it is, but I feel as if something else still wants to pop out. My teacher says that with every abstract work, you come out with either something insane or something that works. Let’s see where this leads. 🙂 #painting #acrylic #abstract #art #artstudentsleagueofnewyork #nyc #wip #workinprogress #justplaying
Here’s another one I’m working on, inspired by that lovely Sunday bike ride in Governor’s Island.
I’ve been dreaming of taking classes at the Art Students League for years. Imagine my glee when I finally arrived in New York last summer, and more so after signing up for my first official class: Large-Scale Drawing under Mary Beth McKenzie. I bought my large-format paper, metal clips, charcoal, Hake brushes, and ink, and like a giddy schoolgirl knocked on the 4th floor studio of the League. I attended two afternoon sessions in this class, each one lasting about 3.5 hours. Below are the drawings I came up with, captioned with thoughts for each day. Unfortunately, these were too large to fit into my suitcase and I had to leave them behind in New York.
* * *
My many firsts: first nude in over 3 months (di na sanay!), first in large-scale format, and first work at the Art Students League. I don’t think I’ll get to take this home, so if you’re in New York and have lots of wall space, wink me (yes, wink me). 😉
Male Nude Vine charcoal on paper 36×48 inches (approximate) June 23, 2014
Male Nude II
Vine charcoal on paper
36×48 inches (approximate)
June 23, 2014
I had a harder time with the long pose (more time = better work, more details). Must learn not to put pressure on myself.
#drawing #onthespot #40minutepose #live #male #nude #nyc
Female Nude II
Sumi ink on paper
36×48 inches (approximate)
June 23, 2014
My first attempt at Sumi ink drawing/painting. I just had two wide Hake brushes and couldn’t get thin strokes in so I just went with it and played. It was so much fun. I was surprised that people in my class really liked this work. Malakas daw siya.
#drawing #onthespot #20minutepose #live #female #nude #nyc #artstudentsleagueofnewyork
Female Nude II and III
Sumi ink on paper
36×48 inches (approximate)
June 23, 2014
The one on my left is my favorite from yesterday. I rushed to the Art shop downstairs during the 5-minute break and bought a smaller Chinese brush that let me do proper detailing. I think I’m going to enjoy Sumi ink!
#drawing #onthespot #20minutepose #40minutepose #live #female #nude #nyc #artstudentsleagueofnewyork
Here’s a closer look, also at my drawing process:
Seated Female Nude
Charcoal and Sumi ink on paper
36×48 inches ( approximate )
June 24, 2014
First drawing today. I decided to play with both charcoal and ink in one work– I think the layers came out nice. This particular model was fussy about the cold. The class monitor had to turn off the airconditioner many times even if she already had a heater dedicated for her. Made me wonder how nude models manage during winter.
#drawing #onthespot #20minutepose #live #female #nude #nyc #artstudentsleagueofnewyork
The same work before being inked:
Reclined Female Nude
Charcoal and Sumi ink on paper
36×48 inches ( approximate )
June 24, 2014
No fuss, fluid drawing that was just so playful.
#drawing #onthespot #20minutepose #live #female #nude #nyc #artstudentsleagueofnewyork
Reclined Female Nude II
Charcoal and Sumi ink on paper
36×48 inches ( approximate )
June 24, 2014
Quick, looser version of the same pose. Drawn in under 10 minutes. Still large-scale.
#drawing #onthespot #20minutepose #live #female #nude #nyc #artstudentsleagueofnewyork
Seated Female Nude
Charcoal and Sumi ink on paper
36×48 inches ( approximate )
June 24, 2014
This was a longer pose so I decided to do measurements to get proportions right. Still something I struggle with (I spent 20 minutes just measuring!), and you can see my mistakes in the finished work. I like how it turned out and think it’s even better with the layers of drawings visibly there.
#drawing #onthespot #40minutepose #live #female #nude #nyc #artstudentsleagueofnewyork
Work-in-progress:
Seated Male Nude
Charcoal on paper
36×48 inches ( approximate )
June 26, 2014
Seated Male Nude
Charcoal and Sumi ink on paper
36×48 inches ( approximate )
June 26, 2014
Just playing around with the male figure and face. #drawing #onthespot #20minutepose #live #male #nude #nyc #artstudentsleagueofnewyork
Reclined Male and Female Nude
Charcoal on paper
36×48 inches ( approximate )
June 26, 2014
We always have 2 models posing side by side in class and this was the first time I drew them together. Each was a challenging pose to do on its own — I wish I had more time to detail the woman, but even the male model gave me a thumbs up when he saw my drawing. Heehee.
I document my process to help keep track of mistakes and triumphs. Choosing to zoom in on the models in this work and do a back-to-back pose was new for me. Lesson learned: experiment! With 40 minutes to set up, compose, sketch and detail a piece, it’s natural to draw in default mode. For me that meant doing sight size (you put your paper next to the model and copy your subject “as is”– in the same size from where you’re standing). Scaling up or down requires extra effort and in my case, leaves room for mistakes in proportion. But!!! I really am proud I pushed myself a little in this drawing. If I were to keep this I’d probably cut out the woman and display it this way. Starting next week I’ll explore classes that will let me paint longer poses. Some models keep the same pose for 4 weeks to let artists work without having to rush. Amazing possibilities!
Reclined Male and Female Nude (detail)
Charcoal on paper
36×48 inches ( approximate )
June 26, 2014
