A Lesson in Humility

Two Saturdays ago was the last of my Nihongo Module 2 classes, which was also our final exam day. More than anything, it’s been a lesson in humility.

Honestly, I pretty much breezed through the Module 1 class. Module 2 was a completely different ball game. I got the grammar rules, but it’s the vocabulary, the differences in conjugating the same type of verbs, and the kanji that drove me crazy. Memorisation was never my strong point and when you’re studying a new language, it really is essential. I’m not competitive by nature, but I have a tendency to be when I really enjoy what I’m doing so this has been incredibly humbling.

Fun, but humbling. Haha!

To unwind after the exam and a battery of language aptitude tests, we played a couple of rounds of Avalon: The Resistance.

I like this game. I want my own set.

I’m still waiting for our Sensei to e-mail us with our exam scores. I hope I passed because I really want to keep going.

これからももっとがんばります!

My hair may be green, but my thumbs sure ain’t

Lemme tell you a little somethin’ about me and horticulture: pretty much everything I touch dies.

I remember in the 4th grade, they made us do the grow-a-potato-in-a-plastic-cup-of-water experiment for science class. My potato started to rot after two days.

Cut to next scene. Exhibit’s over, my paintings were returned to me earlier, along with presents from the wonderful people at the San Beda Alabang Museum.

An art book (not in photo), and potted Lavender, Basil and Peppermint! :3

Now, I am pretty much determined to keep these plants alive. I’ve moved them to a pot  next to a the east-facing window in my room as opposed to keeping them in our flat’s dirty kitchen (which didn’t fare too well for my mother’s previous basil plants).

Reading up on plant care now, and hopefully I’ll be enjoying home-grown, fresh pesto and whatever it is you can make with lavender and mint soon.

Edit: LOLNO the plants die. /spoileralert.

Gabriellelopezart.com!

I finally got around to buying a domain name for my online portfolio:

www.gabriellelopezart.com

I feel all fancy and professional.

I’ve also decided to retire my Muerte skull logo for something a little sleeker. Signs of aging, I guess, although I’m totally gutted by it. It feels like a break-up haha!

I had new business cards made earlier, picking them up on Saturday before class. I can’t wait to start giving those out.

January has been nothing but good vibes so far.

Beneath the Hungry Tides

Beneath the Hungry Tides, 13″ x 10″, 2013, Pen & ink on paper.

My first piece for 2013! (WIP photos here.)

This was loosely inspired by Charybdis, before her transformation into a Swirling Vortex of Doom™-creating monster.

Charybdis used to be a naiad, who

“…rode the hungry tides after Poseidon stirred up a storm, directing them onto beaches, destroying entire villages, submerging fields and drowning forests, claiming all in her path for the sea.” (wikipedia)

Zeus was enraged, he cursed her into a monster, and we all know what happens next in The Odyssey and Jason and the Argonauts.

I’d gotten so enamoured by painting on wood, that I’d forgotten how much I enjoy pen on paper. Really should do more ink pieces this year.

WIP: Hungry Tides

It’s been a really long time since I’ve worked using a tech pen, but I did miss it.

Here are a couple of in-progress photos for my piece for the upcoming A Third Helping of Instant Doodles exhibit.

Exhibit opens on the 26th of January and will run until February 2 at My Little Art Place!

Kicking off 2013 right!

Got two exhibits lined up this January so I’d say 2013 is definitely off to an awesome start!

My Greek Myths x Circus series, along with the works of Ana Isip, will be exhibited at the Galleria Volada (Corridor Gallery) of the San Beda Alabang Museum.

The exhibit opens this Friday,  January 18 at 10:30 AM and will run until February 12.

Yes, in the morning. I know it’s a weekday morning and all, but I hope you can drop by!

I’ll also be part of the 3rd Instant Doodles Drawing Exhibition with a whole bunch of awesome artists. Will update when they’ve released a poster. Will also update when I have work in progress because OMG I HAVEN’T STARTED ON ANYTHING YET LALALALALA

Saturday was a good day.

It was the last day of my Module 1 Nihongo class. Which meant final exams, both written (no biggie) and oral (In the form of a skit. Kill me now).

I think I did rather well on the whole, except the skit had me nervous as fuck but it wasn’t so bad once we started. I also  finally figured out a way to pronounce the nasal  ン/ん without sounding like a chipmunk. It instead makes me sound like a Sailor Moon villain, which I don’t really mind hahaha. Our final grades will be emailed to us. Hopefully soon because I’m dying of curiosity here.

Almost-complete class photo. （＾ｖ＾）

Later that evening, Pallon, Meryl and I went to Whitespace for the CARA’s “Petproject” Fundraiser. I was looking forward to taking a proper photo of my piece but was greeted by an empty wall.

Because MY PAINTING GOT SOLD! I just sold my first painting AAKSJDHSSKDJFH! *Pats self on back.* ☆*:.｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆

All bubble-wrapped and ready to go! （＾ｖ＾）

I’m still kinda stoked. You’ll have to forgive my spazzing.