In my Elementary years, I was one of those straight-A students who only wanted to excel in academics. Even then, I was still extra when it comes to my projects, most especially when it involves art and design. I do remember my classmates liking my sunset drawings, and that was a big deal.
Summer of 2001, I was 8 years old then, my Mama asked one architecture student in our neighborhood to teach me how to draw. Remember when the Kiddie Crew of McDonald's was a thing? Instead of doing that, I did summer art class for a month. And in our last week, if I remember correctly, Ate Joyce taught me how to draw a face. I drew Britney Spears that ended up looking like the youngest singer of the band Aegis. And although the mentorship wasn't that memorable, the portrait drawing left a lasting impression on me.
Fast forward to my high school years, I didn't do any art related stuff unless it was for school: mural paintings and graded projects. I shifted my attention to singing. I'm not a good singer, but I know how to sing. All throughout high school, I only focused on music and spending time with my barkada.
Looking back, I think I have already given up my studies in my 4th year of high school. (Sorry, Mama & Papa!) College was spent wandering aimlessly. Enrolled 3 courses in 2 universities in the span of 2 years. It was when I enrolled to Architecture in my 2nd university that I started drawing again. The time I should be making plates turned into my personal art escapade.
Lo and behold, the first portrait I did after roughly 8 years of hiatus... Ready?
That is a portrait after Amanda Seyfried. God knows how happy it made me feel. Suntok sa buwan. I even told myself, "See? You can draw portraits!" It was pure bliss and right then I decided to try drawing again, although at the expense of my college degree. If you ask me if I regretted stopping college altogether, the answer is no. I knew and learned it the hard way that college, or schooling really, is not for me.
Read an interview about my art by my good friend @gailbelga here
Now let's talk about the styles I needed to get past through in order to be where I am today. When I first started out, I visited Deviantart and Tumblr a lot. I was exposed to different art style and mediums, and not until I stumbled upon the beautiful and enchanting works of Ms. Olga Noes that I paused and told myself I need to learn this style, and so I did what I needed to do.
I tried watercolor for the first time and learned her style, but to no avail:
I loved it at that time though. I even gave one of the 2 drawings to my favorite teacher in high school. Sadly, watercolor wasn't for me. It was hard to control, and my patience was tested of which I failed.
List of watercolor artists I greatly admire:
Sha'an d'Anthes of Furrylittlepeach
Minnie Small of Semiskimmedmin
Valeri Chua of Studiovac
After watercolor art, and failing at it miserably, comes the 3D art I highly enjoyed. I cannot remember what I did prior to the decision of drawing a 3D cockroach. Yes, you read it right. At that time, I was part of a Facebook group called Guhit Pinas, and 3D drawing was very popular, so I jumped on the bandwagon. Because of that community, I met and made friends with amazing artists in Philippines whom I'm very good friends now.
What I loved about rendering in 3D is the detailing. That aspect made me appreciate all the visual artists who are into hyperrealism.My drawings doesn't even give justice to what it's like in producing a well-rendered hyperrealistic drawing/painting.
List of outstanding hyperrealist artists:
Joongwon Jeong
Hyung Jin Park
Tanja Gant
(Note: Will add more on this list.)
Curious what happened in that 2 years of hiatus? Watch out for the Art Diary: Slow And Steady (Part II) which will be uploaded soon. Thank you, stranger, for keeping up with my long post.
Please support my art by liking my Facebook Page and for checking my website at CarbonMade. Namaste!
This is beautiful. I look forward to many chapters to come. I am a writer but can't draw to save my self.
Hey! Welcome to Steemit, @yomibolo ! I am sure you write well. We are all blessed with uniqueness! :) Thank you for reading my long post! I'll post the Part II soon! Xx
What an inspiring story madam. Glad to hear that you were able to find your true calling and discovered it before it was too late. As for me I guess my journey self discovery has just began being a teenager and all. I Still don't know if I really want to do what i am doing right now. Yes i do all the routine but sometimes i just feel there is something that is missing i just can't point a finger on it. Resteemed and followed you madam. Will vote when i get some SP back.
Thank you so much for the resteemed, follow, and kind words. <3 I followed you back!
As for that small voice that's bugging you, let it be. You know what I learned, those small voices will always be there. The thing is, if what youre doing right now is making you happy, then that is probably your right calling AT THE MOMENT. I can do something else which pays more, pero I always go back to my one true love which is traditional arts. :) If you want to connect, you can always talk to me! I'd be happy to help. <33 @ankarlie
interesting topic and post.
Up voted and following.
Warm regards!
Thanks a lot! You have amazing drawings as well. definitely following back!
This is an amazing story. Thanks for sharing it to us. I'm sure you would inspire your readers. Do keep up the good work Lai!
Mabuhay! Your post has been upvoted and resteemed by the @bayanihan curation group.
Thank you so much for appreciating what I do! <33
What a great story to tell!
I myself is also a member of Guhit Pinas Cebu Chapter and I'm more than happy to find outstanding Filipino Artists here on Steemit.
To more artworks together!
Cheers!
Oyy taga-Cagayan de Oro ko! :) Thank youuuu! Cheers to more artworks! Xx
Thanks for taking us on that ride. Sometimes you have to take great risks and just do what you feel you need to do.
I have sat art down several times over the years, but I always come back. It is just a part of who I am I suppose.
Great work and nice presentation. You have inspired me to drag out my box of old drawings. I am following.
Hey! I appreciate this a lot. The supposed to be title of this article is "Art Diary & Crippling Depression", but I am now practicing the Law of Attraction, thus the slow and steady. I think it's very important to revisit your purpose as an artist, to revisit why you even started. And I will address that in my next post. :)
Thanks again! I followed back. :) Cheers!
Great job.thanks for share.
Thanks for reading such long post! <33
Im very proud to have a kababayan artist! Welcome @ablckbrd to the artguildph family! 😊.
Thanks a lot! <33
When doing art, one should always do what one is inspired to do and not what is "expected."
Definitely! When starting out, I told myself to do what's more profitable, thus those years of attempts and failing at it miserably. Now, I know what I am passionate about and doing everything that I can to achieve the big dreams.
You waste less time on your personal journey that way of course. Way to go!
Truest! Thanks, mate!
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I really liked how you described your story of becoming an artist. Keep up with your writing :)
Hey! Thanks a lot! And welcome to Steemit! <33
Thank you !
Your works are amazing, congratulations, you're so talenteed
Thank you so much, @wildartist :) and so are you!
Ang galing galing! 🙌🏻🙌🏻
Uy salamat! <3 Welcome to Steemit!
Truly great art @ablckbrd. Your hyperrealism is just fine. Keep it up.
hey! i appreciate your feedback! kinda missing doing hyperrealism. might do something simple next time. :) thank you, @juniorshelver! :)
Beautiful talent you have @ablckbrd
Thanks a lot, @joalvarez <33
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