Travel Photography: Exploring of Guimaras

This is the first time that I visited this beautiful town of Guimaras.  From Manila, we took a flight going to Iloilo.  My age is really manifesting, because I thought I haven't seen this place yet.  But to my chagrined I saw familiar places in Iloilo.  What's actually new was the way going to Guimaras.  We took a PAL flight to Iloilo, which actually cost less than three thousand.

Photo by Rose Gob

During the flight, I kept on pouring over the Mabuhay Magazine looking at new target places to visit in the future.  Then I spotted this post, featuring two sites in Antipolo where we, ARTipolo Group, exhibits our paintings - the Cafe Lupe and Luljetta Hanging Garden.  So I immediately took a photo using my Lenovo S90, and posted it so that my fellow artist would feel motivated to promote our place.

We landed in Iloilo safely and we were welcomed by a very warm climate.  It's October yet the "Ber" cold air is non-existent yet.  It felt like it's still summer.  We took a taxi going to Iloilo warf, which cost around four hundred pesos.  Upon arrival, we immediately bought a ticket for a ferry going to Buenavista, Guimaras (for fifteen pesos only).  Within 15 minutes we reached the port of Buenavista, Guimaras.  The port was buzzing with people.  We then again took a tricycle going to our accommodation, which is the Theotokos Apartelle.  We took a rest before taking a roam of the island.  Since we only had half-day for exploring the island, we asked our tour guide to bring us to at least one of most visited spots.  And now, here's a beautiful photo from the top of San Lorenzo Municipal Hall, to get a complete view of the romantic windmills in this place.

Photo by Rose Gob

Accordingly, there are 27 windmills planted in this area.  That van below was our ride.  The surroundings of the San Lorenzo Municipal Hall was also very pretty.  The plants were well maintained by the community.

When we visited, it was not yet the season of mangoes.  But we indeed saw lots of mango trees and they were already starting to have flowers.

I wanted to have another tour of this place. I am not sure when but with luck, maybe I can visit again if God permits.  I just hope you enjoyed my recount of this travel and put Guimaras in your itinerary for places to visit.

August Focus for Optix and Mix - A Photo and A Portrait

My August organizer is designed with quotes that really inspires.  Here's what is written on top:



"Life is like a camera, FOCUS on what's important, CAPTURE the good time, DEVELOP from the negatives and if it goes wrong take another SHOT."

So for todays photo, I wish to feature one shot I have taken while doing a Photowalk in Intramuros, Manila last June 2014.  The way the cat looked at me is very penetrating.  In capturing animals or people, the eye is a very good center for your subject.  Although this model is just a simple stray cat, yet still as I may say, the photo jumped out of the paper.

  

Title:  The Keen Eye

    

As for the drawing picture, I give you a sketch of my friend.  And here's another quote taken from my August calendar:

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters. - Epictetus"

 Title of Drawing:  Seated Lady

This drawing is supposed to work as a reference for an oil painting.  But until now, I haven't touch the canvas where I started putting paint on.  I have to find the inspiration to work on this one.

Have a great week ahead!  Keep on checking this blog and check out for free sketches that I am going to give away every other Friday!

Breaking the Break and Monotony...

I feel sluggish and bored of my regular job today.  I mean, I am not in the mood to write or think about my presentation for the leaders that I am going to face by next week.  But somehow, I am motivated to draw and be creative as I prepare my mind for the actual tasks that I need to do today.

I started my day looking at the outputs of my past Street Photography Photowalk.  I say to myself, "Relax... put your energy together and focus your mind".  Yet still, I found difficulty processing the words in the document that I have to read. 

While browsing, I saw the colored pictures I have selected as subjects to my painting.  But upon looking at it, I felt that the colors are too bright. So I tinker with the editing software that I have, limited to a simple photo processor because I don't have an Acrobat Photoshop in my work laptop.  As a result, here's what I have done...

Title:  Chillax - Al iz well!

Taken on June 2014 @ Intramuros, Manila.

During lunch break, I still feel weary and not so productive.  Maybe because of the Friday psyche.  It means, it's the end of the week and that job should be lighter.  But to think, my presentation is on Tuesday already and I haven't finished my Powerpoint presentation for it.  I took a deep breath and browsed for pictures over the web.  Then I saw Jang Geun Sook's picture.  I said to myself, "What a lovely face for a guy!".  I then took my pencil and drawing pad and started sketching.  Here's what I've finished:

I posted this on the web and asked my FB friends if they like the drawing. And if somebody wants it, I will be giving it away for free.  Two (2) of my friends liked it but expressed that what they want is for their pictures to be sketch.  Uh-oh!  I got free customers... meaning gratis and not commissioned work.  Hehehe.  Anyway, I still have 14 commissioned portraits that hasn't been done yet.  Got to work on it after office.

Then one friend buzzed me and told me that he liked the drawing and would love to have it.  So I said yes.  I noticed that he has a very strong resemblance to the drawing.  "So, that's the reason."  Glad to have my work appreciated.  This act also gave me the idea to give away some of my drawings or sketches that are not for sale so as to find a home for my "babies".

So if you would just follow this blog or my other accounts, you might find luck finding one drawing or painting that I would be giving away.  But if you wishes to have a customized drawing or painting, you can simply visit my FB page and message me.  I would also be selling some of my arts there.

Have a great day!