Saturday, December 28, 2019

Hello 2020! What's in Store for me?


Wrapping up year 2019, the end of another decade, with an artwork, a video, and pluses!

Let's welcome 2020 with a clear vision, soundness of mind, and lots of delicious creativity, YES!



Don't forget to un-stare into the "occult devil's" eye, you'll be hypnotized! LOL


I made this baby using acrylic gouache from a very popular art medium brand, which came out of the art closet recently. Gouache, pronounced gwash, is an opaque watercolor-like medium that you can still blend and sashay away even when it has dried. Gouache can be great on painting flat areas and some articles say that the colors brilliantly reflect very well when the art work is digitally scanned. I have to agree because since the finish is matte or satin, the light won't reflect back to the scanner or digital camera when the artwork is documented. It's quite similar to the cheaper (hence popular) poster paint, a creamy paint we used back then when I was studying art (as if I stopped learning more about art!) I remember my art teacher taught us to seal the poster paint with clear nail polish to prevent them from getting wet or eaten by pests. Some of my old work sacrificed themselves for me and got eaten alive, sadly. Cockroaches and rats love the smell of poster paints, watercolor, and even gouache because of the sweet smelling binder, gum Arabic. Maybe because it's a...gum?!



Why don't you buy me some love! 




 or a hug?


But let's talk about this delicious acrylic-gouache combination from this very mysterious art brand. The acrylic gouache both have the same properties of acrylic and gouache: it dries matte or satin finish with color brilliance like a gouache while paint setting is permanent like an acrylic. WIN-WIN situation for me as I missed working with gouache but had quit using it because of impermanence. Curse permanence and archival quality! There is only now, this moment, to celebrate! This is the time of right-nows, todays, and instants.



Say YES to success! already


and to classy-ness right now!

So going back to the acrylic gouache, I really like the gritty texture it creates on paper. The texture it creates has more personality (+ diva attitude) than watercolor and acrylic combined. Am I going to use this acrylic gouache permanently? Not yet, because the price is sooo expensive for a single bottle 2 US fl oz bottle from that luxurious art brand name. But you know what, as they say, you GET what you PAY for. If you want an UNICORN, then expect to lay some GOLDen eggs.





"Beginnings" acrylic gouache, watercolor, pen, and pencils on paper


Let me know your experience with acrylic gouache through the comments! What brand are you using?





Tuesday, December 24, 2019

A Christmas wish


Completed a full cycle of western living beginning from fall to winter. It's Christmas! So far it's been fabulous, full of surprises and journeys.



Pondering on the direction of my art and career this coming new year. 
Will the Chinese New Year, a year of the rat, bring me exciting and fun new projects? What's in store for dog, cat, sheep, pig, or dragon? After the Epiphany and Boxing day, surely we'll be moving forward.  



I'm feeling more blessings, abundance, love, good health, kindness, and special gifts




"Caroling" watercolor, gouache, acrylic ink on watercolor paper
My 2019 Christmas card original art given to my ever patient and very generous publisher




Friday, July 12, 2019

Sommar Sun



It's almost peak of summer and I'm just glad that many folks in this part of the neighborhood loves gardening. 

The Denver Botanic Gardens is in full bloom too.



The spectacular Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory, not the arena in the Hunger Games: Catching Fire. 
Neither giant zombie plants.





Of course, the obligatory flower closeup shot



The Science Pyramid at the Four Towers Pool



Mama goddess of reading, helping her twins read. (Please help me know her name and creator)



Your neighbors Totoro, western style



Some interesting party going on in there



One of the Infinity Gems is actually found at the Denver Botanic Gardens




Monet-esque



Preciousss...



Gandalfesque



Kraken in the garden



Some asian tourists, haha!


Thursday, May 16, 2019

Dark Light



First two paintings for 2019 and a first being created in a new territory



"Lit"
24x48 inches 
2019
acrylic and phosphorescent paint; 3D luminous powder; iridescent paper on canvas

This painting will be a part of CANVAS's 2019 Looking for Juan Banner Project 
celebrating children's rights.




Makeshift studio with basic tools and media    




These recent works are best appreciated in person. 
The textures, finishes, and effects are difficult to translate in photos. 






Iridescent finish create transitional colors into other hues through viewer's movement






Luminous specks lit this bubble




Found my own technique of covering surfaces with random yet harmonious patterns






A supermassive black hole at the core of bedazzlement




Cosmic ultraviolet rays impregnating a porous material smeared with emulsion to demonstrate luminescent energy




A digital photo recording of pigmented symbolic language uploaded into a popular electronic repository of human pop culture in action called YouTube






A brush stroke is something very personal



and intimate



Working on brush strokes to define forms





Reflective surfaces as personal expression of the numinous





Brush strokes as visual expression of internal disposition





"The Origin of Light is Love"
48x48 inches 
2019
acrylic and phosphorescent paint; 3D luminous powder; iridescent paper on canvas

This painting will also be a part of CANVAS's projects.





Two paintings were alternately created. 
When stuck at a phase, work is done on the other.




Glowing moon juice as life force




Looking at a force like no other


Love, 2019, acrylic, phosphorescent paint, 3D luminous powder, iridescent paper, canvas, painting, Looking for Juan Banner Project, children's rights, children's book, picture book painting, black hole image, unicorn, glow in the dark paint, aim, iridescent paint, transitional paint, glitters, Sergio Bumatay, moon, ohm, moon glow, moon dust, man bird, bird man, eye, pregnant man, pregnancy, lit, star, star of david, brzee, wings, angel wings, horse, magic, pegasus, shreem, under the sea, Aurora, Colorado, Colorado painters, Aurora artist, Colorado artist, Aurora Art, Art Basel, Art Basel Miami, NYC art, New York City Galleries, Venice Biennial, Hong Kong International Art Fair, ARCO Madrid, Art Dubai, Vivid Sydney, The Armory Show, Berlin Biennale, Shanghai Biennial, Sotheby's

Friday, March 1, 2019

The Winter Garden



My mom's indoor garden is a miracle in these winter months.




She mostly got these plants and orchids in dying condition from nurseries and grocery stores. 








I'm amazed how she revives them.














There's some baby chick in this beauty.




And an alien in this precious above.




A fly?




Froggie dude






Spring is coming soon.







This is her sanctuary.