Welcoming Baby Kauai

You must be intrigued with the title of this one. It is my title for a painting I have been doing which is actually a milestone of some sort. I had been thinking of joining one of the biggest art competitions for artists here in the country, the GSIS Art Competiion/ as has been first suggested by my former student, Penelope Pantola. During a watercolor convention I recently attended, I met with my classmate, Buds Convocar who was to deliver a talk on the state of the arts today and he also urged  me to join. As per his prodding, I got a copy of the forms to be filled out and submitted together with the artwork.

Last Saturday, I decided I would like to have a  go at it.  My first obstacle was how to get a quality canvas at a very short notice. After all, the submission of entries is on May 4 which is two weeks from now. My friend Tutit, from whom I have been getting my canvas can only make one after the   holy week.  Considering how meticulous my work is, that will be too late.  I was about to abandon the project when I remembered that another artist, Lander Blanza, also manufactures ready to paint canvases.  I contacted him if I can order one and how fast I could get it.  Initially he said Monday but the following day, he said it was ready for pick up. So that very instant, I took a bath and went to Las Pinas to get the canvas.

My next hurdle was what to paint and  how in heaven's name can I transform my work into mixed media as this was one of  the requirements to the representational category I plan to join in.  I  have never done mixed media before.  So, the following day, Monday, I went as early as 6 am to my my studio which is a short walking distance from home, sat in front of my canvas and just let my hand guide me.  As i worked, different layers of ideas came pouring in, one of which was  the color scheme.  I thought what if I went  for something like a chiaroscuro effect - a dramatic lighting effect made popular by Rembrandt?  Since I am at it, what could be a nice source of light? I decided it would be a baby at the lower center of the canvas. From that time on, I added more and more people.  And thus, "Welcoming Baby Kauai" came to fore.  Who is Kauai? He is my first grandson who is yet to be born soon, probably late April or early May.So, the next question is how to make the painting into a mixed media? I plan to glue plastic onto the painting. They shall be layered like they are the ones giving that transparent effect. i also plan  to paste sample music notations, a part of my poetry, a plastic which I got from Mamang's  abubots, to serve as a memory of her.  Probably some pins and anything associated with a baby. I will have to do some shopping soon.

I had been working for almost 8 hours everyday since Monday, a thing I never did before.  :I usually worked for five to six hours at the most given that I have to find time for gym and other things I had to do before. Right now, the painting is more than half finished.  Hopefully I can finish painting next Friday or even earlier and will have to dress it up on Monday after next and off it goes to GSIS.  I am praying that I shall be working on a winner this time! Keeping my fingers crossed.

In the meantime, my wife is celebrating her birthday and our 34th wedding anniversary today. Like the family always does, we shall be having a staycation at  a hotel, this time at the Ascott Hotel at BGC.  I wish her a happy birthday and a glorifying wedding anniversary.

PS.

I have finished the piece after two weeks as planned and have submitted it on the scheduled day of submission. As expected, there are about a thousand entries.  Hope Baby Kauai shall bring me luck as he brings joy to the whole family just by being who he is.  Here is a pic of the painting. 

Welcoming Baby Kauai

Mixed Medium

48" X 36"