Art Therapy: Trudging Life's Journey with Art

This blog contains my first works as I re-find my way back to art.  Some materials are signed with my nickname "Liloth", with which my family and closest friends call me.

In my youth, doing art for schools and working on cartoon characters (we don't call it anime yet during that time) brought me joy and popularity among my classmates and in our highschool homesite.  However, when I started working, I lost the interest to pursue it and after seventeen years working as an HR expert, I reached my saturation point and was so stressed.  As a result, I left my regular job in a prestigious company. 

In 2012, I began another job, which brought me to several places.  The airport and hotel became my second home.  Being alone during work gigs, I returned to sketching.  I stopped drawing in 2005 and the photo below was my last drawing during that year:

The signature I used here was actually what I used for office reports.  

I haven't developed my artist's signature yet.

If you will notice from the drawing, the little girl drawing on the sand is not the exact likeness of the photo.  The photograph was taken by my father and the little girl on it was me.  When I drew this, I was so optimistic about the future, and I was too eager to make a mark.  Maybe that's why the back of the little girl on my sketch was high and straight instead of crouching down.  Being a graduate of psychology, I was taught to interpret drawings (i.e. Draw a Person Test and HTP - House-Tree-Person Test) or we call it projective tests.  I looked hard on my drawing, I can see that I was innocent and the sea is bright and flowing.  There's much emphasis on the drawing on the sand.  However, in projective exams, drawing a person showing his/her back is indicative of withdrawal.  I looked back and I think it is somehow true.  During that time, I refused to accept my limitations as my parents were so fearful, not wanting me to work faraway from them.  They were not able to stop me.

Moving forward to 2012, after gaining so much experience with society, I started sketching.  To be exact, it was in October 2012.  We were in Cebu during a Team's Meeting with consultancy and our technical advisor, Mr. Jean Caron brought us to Bluewaters Beach Resort.  There was nothing much to do because I cannot join them swim.  I took a rest in my room and found a drawing pad, which was materials for the activity.  I started sketching and produced this, which I called "The Tamer".  It was during this time that I was delighted to learn that I never lost the skill in drawing.

The Tamer

Lead pencil on paper

2012

I asked myself what motivated me to draw this.  The model was Jose Rizal and the dog was Bantay, a nursery book character.  During that time, I was learning to subdue my aggressive tendencies.  I was trying my best to find joy with my work and learning to subdue my "wants" for material needs.  My job pay during that time was twice lower than what I'm used to receiving.  The advantage of working for the cooperative was that the workplace was near our home and that I get to attend training, education, and travel far while earning.  Maybe that's why I entitled this "The Tamer", a lead pencil drawing on an 8.5 X 12 inches pad.

Look at the drawing and take note of the man's stance.  The hands hidden on pockets denote secrecy, while the wide stance of his legs is indicative of gaining solid ground or stability.  Since I was new in the cooperative sector during that time, I was finding my bearing and solidifying my career by learning and gaining a complete understanding of the co-op sector.  Now that I am looking at it closely, I get to understand more how my emotions adapted to the situation.

By drawing, I get to communicate with my inner self.  I get to express my thoughts unconsciously and I get to record my state at a specific period in time.  We can say that art can be historical.  And it expresses well the person's thoughts, feelings, and mental state.

It was fascinating to look back at what I have drawn earlier.  For instance, this watercolor painting, which I called Vision of Heaven, is actually my desire to see happiness in the future.  Looking at the folded skin of the eye owner, you'll know that the person aged well.  When we reach that age, we come closer to seeing what the afterlife would look like.  We hope for heaven and peace.  

Vision of Heaven
Art by Rose Gob, Signed with Liloth
2012

This was drawn without reference.  Also, I signed this with my nickname that only my close friends and family know of.  Although it is just a simple drawing done on illustration board, this has somehow had much value for me.  I've kept it for a very long time and still cannot part with it.  Because this very piece denotes my strong positivity towards the future.  

The next paintings demonstrate how I developed my oil painting on canvas board.  I call this piece "The Rage".  When I first painted it, the ship was so calf and nice.  I usually like the color of blue and the ship is a reflection of my travels in life.  When I say travel, I actually refer to my life's journey.  Then I met an artist who was a previous prisoner.  He taught me how to add character to my works.  He said I need to express my angst and just loosely let me work with the palette and paints.  He asked me to throw the paint and let my anger out.  Initially, I cannot comprehend what he wanted me to do.   Because I've never been so angry in my life.  I was thought by our ministers to get angry but not let the sun goes down with that anger.  Working on this piece presented so much challenge for me.  And when I finished it, I kept on working on it until I bartered it with a more peaceful work by a fellow artist.  It's the only work that really exhibited my fears and disturbance.  The work was timely as well because it was created after the Yolanda storm wreaked havoc in our country.  I hope its owner appreciates it.

 The Rage at its final form

2013

Painting and art also serve as a venue for releasing your anger.  You may not be able to punch someone or destroy ceramic plates, but by throwing paints and creating an image has turned something negative and ugly, into something arresting or mesmerizing.  When you look at this painting, what do you fee?  For me, whenever I look at it, what I see is the light despite the raging water.  The water is symbolical too.  In the scriptures, Jesus Christ is represented by water.  With the raging water, I thought, I fear God's wrath for not being able to follow well His teachings. I can stay afloat because I believe that God takes pity on me and helps me.

The next piece is an image of a friend whom I took her photo during one of our travels. I translated it into a painting because her stance was very hopeful.  With a

hope that remains in us, we will keep on living and striving to give our best.  After having this painted, I gave it to Sharon as a gift... thus, I call this piece "The Gift".  It is an acrylic and oil painting on canvas panel.

"The Gift"
Art by Rose Gob (signed with Liloth)

Sept. 2012

We all received the gift of life.  Hope and faith keep us alive... "Love" makes us strong and leads us to inner peace and happiness. Let us not waste our gift by giving up due to depression.  

Finally, life is God's breath among us and things around us.  I love this last art piece, which I called "The Flow", acrylic on canvas.  It showed my energy level and passion.  It displays hope, faith, and love as symbolized by the water, light, birds, and bamboos, which symbolizes people's resilience.  I pray that viewers of this piece would gain strength and positive energy.

The Flow

February 2019

Thanks for visiting this blog.  If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to do so.  God bless!!!

LESSON 2: Sketching Inanimate Objects

Drawing Inanimate Objects

As of the afternoon of May 9, from 3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., we had a live feed on our FB Page @CascadeArtStudio.  We continued with Lesson 2 of our Free Saturday Art Class while still on Enhanced Community Quarantine or ECQ.

For those unable to join or see the live feed, we have added it here in our blog for quick access and understanding for those who wish to learn how to draw. It may be for a hobby or to pass the time.  But I hope this article helps you relieve boredom or help you discover your potential in drawing.

MATERIALS NEEDED:

• Drawing pencils
• Drawing pad
• Eraser

Let us start with our lesson.  

To draw inanimate objects, you must remember the different shapes. Drawing would be easy if you could identify shapes by looking at pictures.

Now to illustrate, let us use the following picture as a reference:

First, identify the complete shape of the object.  The 1st vase, it's a tall rectangle.  Add two perpendicular lines for the width of the vase mouth.  Then a horizontal line for the neck of the vase.  Now, for the body, you may use an oval shape to get its form.  

For the second vase, let us use a square to box in the object.  The same with the first vase; use two perpendicular lines to get the location and form of the vase's mouth.  The vase's body is like a circle or a lying egg shape. 

The third vase is very much the same as the 1st vase.  We used a red color to show you how it will overlap with the figure of the 2nd vase.

Now, let us transfer the shapes on paper.  Draw those lines and shapes from the above image on your drawing pad.

Using your reference, sketch in the shape of the vases, using the lines and shape as your guide.

When you can get the shapes of the vases, define them a little, then using the kneaded eraser, remove or erase all guidelines and shapes as shown in the image below.  Now, you have a drawing of the three vases.

With what we learned from our 1st lesson, let us work on detailing and defining the shadows.   From the original picture, where is the source of light?  From the left?  That is correct!  So the shadows should be placed on the right side of the image.

Work on the shadows.  From the figure below, I used hatching and cross-hatching.

Now that you have finished these drawings let us work on your assignments.  I will be posting 3 photos here.  Select one and work on it.

For those who will send me their output, I will feature it here.  To send your assignments, message me on my FB Page, CASCADE Art Studio.

ASSIGNMENT 1

ASSIGNMENT 2

ASSIGNMENT 3

Send me your work!  I'm excited to see it.  Thanks, and Keep Safe!

CASCADE'S SATURDAY ART CLASS: BASIC DRAWING LESSONS FOR BEGINNERS

Click here for the video view

Last 2 May, 2020, I gave a free Basic Online Drawing via a live feed in Cascade Art Studio's page.  I accepted about 8 participants but 2 were not able to join due to technical issues.  Many reacted on my post and my officemates asked me that they'll join when I had another one.  So as to share the same experience to my followers, I added this blog so that they can review and share the same experience.

The Content of the webinar included the following lectures:

First Lesson - Understanding Drawing Materials

Second Lesson - How to Sketch?

Third Lesson - Shadowing techniques

Fourth Lesson - Workshop activity

Now let us go into details.

The Webinar started with the introduction of each participants.  Then a quick run down of the following house rules to ensure that the presentation run smoothly.  I you will join our next Saturday Art Classes, please take note of these house rules:

FIRST LESSON: UNDERSTANDING OUR DRAWING MATERIALS

1. DRAWING PENCILS

Drawing pencils comes in different forms.  They are named or labeled based on their output.  H pencils are hard-led pencils, which is used for light sketching, or for creating finer lines.  Examples of Hard pencils are the one we used in our schools, with #2 labels.  For drawing pencils, you can select from HB or 2H-6H.  

"F" stands for finer point pencils.  If you need to draw the lashes or the teeth, you may use F.  This is darker compared to usual H pencils.  I usually use it for outlining my sketches.

"B" stands for Black.  These pencils are softer compared to "H" and produces darker lines.  These B-type pencils are usually used for shadowing.  In drawing portraits, I keep in handy a 2B, 4B, 6B, and 8B pencils.

Charcoal pencils are much different compared to B-pencils.  They are very dark and usually takes skill in controlling its balance.  Look at the slide below to see the differences produced by these pencils.

The Top image used HB pencil.  The drawing of 2 guys are drawn with 6B pencils.  The last image is a charcoal drawing.

If you are to draw using charcoal and 6B pencils, we recommend that you also have the following tools:

2. The KNEADED ERASER can be shaped so that you can erase very fine details in your drawing.  Rubber eraser tends to break paper when not used properly.

3.  DRAWING PAD

In drawing, we also want to emphasize that the thickness of paper also helps in drawing properly.  If you uses thin GSM paper, tendency is you must not make so much error so that you'll not need to erase often, which causes holes or breaks the paper.

4. KNEADING ROLLED PAPER is used for shadowing, by getting some powdered charcoal pencil.  It produces fine shadows and distribute the shadowing smoothly on paper.


SECOND LESSON:  SKETCHING

Sketching is like creating short, lighter strokes, creating an image or shape.  You keep on adding lines to refine the drawing, until you reach the exact appearance or drawing that you've wanted.  To illustrate, here's an example:

THIRD LESSON:  SHADOWING TECHNIQUES

There are four (4) shadowing techniques discussed here.  These shadowing techniques would help you produce better portrait drawings or pencil drawings.

1. HATCHING.   This is done by doing simple strokes or one directional strokes and then you layer it up to produce darker shadows.

2.  CROSS HATCHING.  Almost the same with hatching, cross hatching is done by doing criss-cross line drawings or creating two different direction of lines, overlapping one another.

3.  CIRCULISM.  This is done by creating small circles and overlapping them until you create the desired shadowing.  I usually use it for creating textures.

4.  CONTOUR SHADOW.  This is done by following the shape or contour of the object that you are producing.  Layer the pencil lines until you reach the desired volume of your drawn object.

To understand further how to do shadowing, you need to find the "Source of Light".  The Object that stopped the light from flowing is called "Terminator" zone.  This cast the darkest part or shadow.

Let us look at the sphere below.  The brightest part of the object is called the Core Light.  Next to it is the Highlight.   The darkest part of the sphere is called the Core Shadow.  Between the Highlight and Core shadow, the slightly lighted part yet a bit dim is called the Mid-tones.  The reflected light is a bit darker compared to Mid-tones.  But it's saturation is quite near the color of the mid-tones.

Using the image below, let us do a quick workshop on shadowing.  Copy the shadow of the sphere below, using any of the shadowing techniques.  (In my video, I used the hatching and cross hatching technique).

For the assignment, please do a drawing and add shadowing for the image below.  The lines are the sources of light.

Send me a picture of your output and I'll give you feedback. You may use the e-mail link on this page or you may send it to our page, which you'll find below.

If you are interested to get our services for a one-on-one tutorial, please register here:  (REGISTER)

CASCADE Studio's Free Basic Drawing On-line Workshop

With the Enhance Community Quarantine holding us all from going-out of our homes, it's fortunate that now we find time to draw and be creative.  Finally, we can now get our art materials and start sketching and drawing, a visual way of expressing our thoughts or recording the events in our surroundings through freehand drawing.

Mothers get to spend more time with their children and monitor their activities.  This is also an opportunity to explore if you, as a mother, (or for your children), have a talent to draw.  One mother contacted me through chat.  She was inquiring if I can give workshop through online. I told myself, why not?  I've been managing webinars since March 16, and was unable to hold my pencils and art materials because the webinars are eating most of my time.  It is good timing that this May 1, we are on holiday and May 2 falls on a Saturday.  With the long weekend ahead, I can now prepare the materials for drawing and patch it live on FB.

Thus, may we invite you on May 2, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for a workshop on basic drawing.  We will start with understanding the art materials and understanding the movements of light, and its significance to drawing.

With the live feed, I will be accepting 10 online students to be coached and mentored while we do an online feed via FB.  You may still be able to get a slot for the sample coaching in this online workshop.  Just get a ticket here and I'll send you the Google Meet link to take part.

The requirements is if you are using a celfone, be sure to download the Google Meet Application.  If you are using laptop or desktop, then you just have to click on the invite that will be sent to you.

For the art materials:

See the complete lessons and the video on my next blog.  Enjoy!!!

Updates on the Crowdfunding Campaign for CASCADE and C-ARTwheel Art Exhibit by ARTipolo

For today's blog, we give you updates as to CASCADE's crowdfunding performance.  We also featured Ms. CORAZON PATARATA, one of the ARTipolo artists who supports this project.  Also, we give you the list of participating artist in C-ARTwheel Exhibit at R-Gallery.


We are happy to share with you that we have received backings from friends for the CASCADE (Creative Art School for Children and Adults Deserving Excellence), and we have received a total of five thousand pesos.  We have three (3) backers who are interested to avail the bag rewards and one (1) to receive a personalised mug (with her name printed on it).  

Let me share with you the profiles of the artists who have painted the bags that backers will receive.  To start with we featured here Ms. Corazon Patarata.

Ms. Patarata painted this bag when I asked her to share her talent for the sake of helping people with needs.  She willingly and excitedly acted on my request and has produced this pretty hand-painted bag, designed with the birds of paradise flowers.

     60 years old, with an earlier 20-year experience as a diplomat, is a self-taught artist, who works with watercolors, oil pastels and acrylic paints, in a modern realist-impressionist style. Her subjects are flowers, landscapes, marine life, famous landmarks and monuments, heavenly bodies, and angels, and sometimes there are human figures included in her picture compositions.  Two articles about Cora’s painting career, penned by Babeth Lolarga, were published by Verafiles.Org and circulated in Yahoo News: “A Former Diplomat’s Sojourn Into Painting”, published on 30 May 2014; and “The Traveller As Painter”, published on 20 January 2017. Souce: https://verafiles.org/articles/traveler-painter

     Patarata is with the Antipolo-based artists’ group ARTipolo that has the Haemophilia Association of the Philippines for Love and Service as permanent beneficiary for all its exhibits. This self-taught vignette painter admires Amorsolo. “I aspire to someday learn his techniques with light and shadows.”Among the Renaissance artists, she singled out Rembrandt for the sensitivity of his human figures, Tintoretto for his lights and shadows, Paul Cezanne, Paul Gaugin and Vincent Van Gogh for their colors and brushstrokes.

     Of the moderns, she likes John Singer Sargent “for the emotional impact of his paintings,” Frida Kahlo “for her use of Nature as symbols for human emotions,” Miro “for his joyful and playful abstract renditions” and Norman Rockwell “for portraying scenes of everyday life that everyone can relate with.” 

     Now that she is doing what fulfils her, she calls painting “an essential part of me. Painting is something I owe to my Maker and to the people around me.Through the process, I enjoy many good feelings in heart and spirit.Painting is like praying. It is like a cleansing and uplifting process.”

We are privilege to have her support through her works.  The bag that she has painted is an original and does not have any reproductions.  The same goes with the other bags.  We hope you'll support our CASCADE campaign.  There are still 35 days remaining, as to date.

By supporting this campaign, you'll get the rewards of your choice (1st-come-1st-served).  We also invite you to join us on the opening day of C-ARTwheel Group Exhibit, which features the works of our well-known artists whose names are listed below:

1. Rose Gob
2. Carol Mencias Alay-ay
3. Pol Mesinas, Jr.
4. Jerry Ybanez
5. Jenella Lopez Medina
6. Amador Inlayo
7. Rodgie Gapayao
8. Marie Claire
9. Mark Joseph Beloria
10. Alexandra Monserrat
11. Nelson M. Basa
12. Marge DC Gomez
13. Krister Isip
14. Jayson Z Borlon
15. Nelson N. Medina
16. Crishaira Pelino
17. Chrisellie C. Guzik
18. Liana Mariz P. Mesina
19. Dyna Quizon Ondoy
20. Maria Alma Ang Fortuno
21. Benedict John Simbulan
22. Don Cabanza
23. Isagani Cruz
24. Jun Vicaldo
25. Aris Ventures
26. Bernardo Matias
27. Vivian Nocum Limpin
28. Daphne Lagunay
29. Edward Dave
30. Joemari Cagas
31. Michelle Diwa
32. Nelson Dela Cruz
33. Eleanor Habal Robleza
34. Dea Solis

If you have any questions, please feel free to write us by clicking the e-mail us box in this blog.  Or you may also send as a message by visiting our page at @CascadeArtStudio.

FOR MORE INFO ABOUT CASCADE CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN:  CLICK HERE.  THIS CAMPAIGN HAS ENDED BUT WE CONTINUE WITH OUR INTENT OF GIVING FREE ART CLASSES, EVEN DURING THIS TIME OF ENHANCED COMMUNITY QUARANTINE.  IF YOU ARE INTERESTED TO DONATE, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US.  

Crowdfunding Rewards to Backers of C.A.S.C.A.D.E. (Creative Art School for Children and Adults Deserving Excellence)

Finally, as we have shared with you our intent of doing a Crowdfunding for this project, we are now ready to release our link and the rewards that we would give to donors or backers.  First let me inform you of the status of our social activity.  My partner Carol has already got in touched with one school in Rizal and has confirmed their interest of allowing us to run a 12-Days Free Art Lessons to their SPED class.  Anytime this month, we are expecting to receive the schedules for the classes.

As for how and where you can course or give your support to this program, please check our link to our crowdfunding online promotion.  We encourage my friends to share as well this link so that it can reach as many people who are looking for means of helping the less privileged.

https://www.thesparkproject.com/project/cascade-creative-arts-school-for-children-and-adults-deserving-excellence

If you can't send through Paypal, you can send through my BPI account.  Either you can deposit it or you can transfer or use my QR code.   You can also message me if through bank deposit.

Kindly add note to your transferred amount or please send advise or deposit slip through (FB message) here ==>  FB Page Rose Gob's Optics and Mix.  You can use the same link if you have any inquiries or concerns.  Please don't forget to include contact information like e-mail address and celfone no. so that we can send to you your reward.

Now, here are the rewards that we are going to give to our backers.  Please indicate in your message, which among these rewards you prefer.  Rewards are first come first serve basis.  We will also send a thank you card through your e-mails once we received your donation or backing, whatever amount you shared.

REWARDS LIST:

500 pesos and up:  Personalised Coin Purses 

      This is machine printed and the designs are original paintings of Rose Gob.

700 pesos and up:  Limited Edition Mugs

     Machine printed and personalised by printing your name on it.   

1,500 pesos and Up:  Hand painted bags

    As of the moment, we have these two (2) finished hand painted bags.  We are still finishing eight (8) more.  But let me know if you are already interested with these and we will reserve it for you.

This bag is hand painted by Ms. Corazon Patarata, one of the respected artists of ARTipolo group.

This bag is hand painted by Rose Gob

This  bag paintedis  by Carol Mencias Alay-Ay.

5,000 pesos and Up:  1X1 (feet) paintings

     These are the two paintings still available for donations of 5,000 and up.  First-come, first-reserve as well:

7,000 pesos and Up:  Paintings by artist Rose Gob

"Yellow Bricks and Gondolas"

Medium:  Watercolor on Canson Paper

Size: 20" X 17" framed

Date:. 2017

Artist:. Rose Gob

 

"Dream Blosoms"

Medium:  Watercolor on Canson Paper

Size: 17" X 20" framed

Date:. 2017

Artist:. Rose Gob

"Anima"

Medium:  Acrylic on Canvas

Size: 18" X 24" framed

Date:. 2019

Artist:. Rose Gob

"Munting Pangarap"

Medium: Acrylic on Cavas

Size: 24 X 18

Date Made: January 2019

Artist:. Rose Gob

To all backers, we thank you and we pray that you'll be blessed more out of the kindness of your heart!!!