22 July 2008

A Heart of Art





I'd still like to think of myself as an artist.


Sometime in 1988, I used to paint with watercolor as a medium. The three pictures I have posted here are my works. These were done almost 20 years ago, yet I have not painted since. A disclaimer, though: these are not my original subjects, I merely painted original works I found in books. I was once told that many artists started out by copying other people's works.

I once played drums for a living. In fact, one of my previous bands, Elizabeth Reed, launched an album entitled "The Dragons Cried Pearls" in 1996 under the J-Bird Record label run by Jay Barbieri. A sample of my work can be heard by clicking on the two sample music clips found on my sidebar. I also played session for other bands such as show bands, 60s bands, rock bands, etc. This was THE main source of livelihood for my family then. I had my hair almost to my waist, facial hair, colorful shirts, the works.

I still get to play the drums now and then, my last stint being around 2002, where I played for and shot a music video at the old and hostoric Manila Post Office with a band called Honeyrush. Now, its all limited to jamming in parties or the like.

I also ran a footwear manufacturing firm, where I would frequently involve myself in design, having had to source new raw materials and ideas, here and abroad.





These days, blogging has breathed new life in my body, withering from lack of artistic deliberations, fuddled by the rigors of work life as a consultant. I do notice, however, that there exists a fine line that separates creative and technical endeavors. Maybe it is an interplay between the two seemingly disparate hemispheres of the brain working in harmony. Think Leonardo Da Vinci.

I'm thinking of taking it yet a step further....... renew my artistic ties..... invigorate myself once more with the beauty of the world..... immerse myself in color and hue....... envelope the world in.....

..... I have no clue how to go about it anymore.

I think I am trapped in a completely different animal's body now.

*help*

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nice paintings :)

Artist ka pala :)

Ang Kuwago said...

Thanks, Dave! I just don't know if I still have it in me after all these years.

Maybe I'll try again sometime soon.

FilMasons NSW said...

Kuyang, your passions stay with you. I am speaking from experience. I think it is a matter of balance. I know you are busy with your consulting business, which is great. I know you enjoy your trips abroad, which you usually is a business and pleasure. That is the secret I think, finding the time to indulge in your passions, like findingtime to pray, meditate, paint, blog, be with your family, eat, etc.

Nice work, I know watercolour is a temperamental and hard medium. Go with the flow... ano yung sabi nila... seize the day!

Ang Kuwago said...

Thanks, Kuyang. I am sure that I will eventually find time to do the things that will help me balance my worklife. Sooner, hopefully, rather than later... ;-)

All the Best!

SeƱor Enrique said...

Whoa! I had no idea that you are one fine artist and a musician as well! Impressive. All along, I thought you were one blessed entrepreneur bound to create a huge business empire.

You ought to get back to your ART, man ... even if only on your free time -- just to appease the soul, so to speak.

Looking forward to seeing your paintings and hearing your music!

Cheers!

Ang Kuwago said...

Senor Enrique! You da man!

Thanks for dropping by.

I really am trying to find the time to go back to my art. As time goes on, I feel as though I need it more and more, if only to keep me sane.

If you were to ask me to be honest and tell you if I were more of a entrepreneur or an artist, I would flat out reply: an artist!

In my line of work, I have to interact with the not-so-artist-kinds, but have to do it to survive in this material world.

You know how much it tears me up? I still keep my beard and moustache, and have been trying to curb the temptation of growing back my hair long.

Dilemmas...hehe

I know it is coming again soon, I will need to do my art once more to keep sane.

All the Best!