Huge thanks goes to a friend, Homer Anthony Medici, for taking a video of me while I painted during the opening night of my first solo show art show, “Black Bile”.

As promised, here are photos of my 3-day trip to Manila for my solo art exhibit. I’m sorry but I couldn’t find the time to take decent photo documentation of the actual works.

Day 1

The airport in Cebu – finally got to board our plane after waiting for around 3 hours. Flight was delayed.

Manila, finally. Around 9 A.M. Two-hour taxi ride on the way to the hotel.

At THE Clothing store, 30 sleepless hours later. Former classmate and friend back in Cebu helped curate my paintings in the store.

THE wall – beautiful, isn’t it?

More Photos of Day 1 here.

Day 2

Walked around Cubao for a bit – killing time ’til my art show starts. This is where my dad says he hangs out when he was younger.

Party time! Show started at around 9pm. I’m eating anti-gravity pasta.

One of my paintings – bad photo! Tsk

And another. As I’ve mentioned I forgot to take proper documentation of my works. I’m such a dumbass

Started painting outside at around 10pm.  Bands were playing, people were dancing in the parking lot behind me – WILD!

Painting done!

The store was packed with people checking out the shirts I designed and the paintings I made.

Reppin’ the illest crew in town!

Tired now – after 2 hours of painting.

Show’s over.

More Photos of Day 2 here.

Day 3

On the way back home now. At one of the malls nearest the airport. Asked the girlfriend to take a picture of me and, as much as possible, make it look like I’m goddamn tourist.

Too early to wait at the airport.

At the airport now. Waiting for our flight back home.

More Photos of Day 3 here.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to the people who came, and came along with me (Kara, Chin). Most of all, thank you to the people of THE Clothing (especially Auggie and Jerik for helping out all the way!) for the opportunity to do the show in their store. Had so much fun during the whole trip.

I just got back from my art show in Manila (THE store, Cubao Expo to be exact). It was super fun and successful, and I won’t hesitate to do it again if I have enough time and money. All of it was tough work, but it was sure worth it.

Pictures of  the entire trip and the art show itself will be posted tomorrow, since it is midnight now and I still have to get these rolls of films developed (yes, I still use film because that’s how I “roll” – geddit? film “roll”?! LULZ!!!) I might write a longer blog tomorrow.

Thanks again, Manila. Thanks to all the guests who came to my first solo art show, to the people behind the event, and to friends who showed support.

- Uzi

Live painting outside the exhibit venue (THE Clothing store) at around midnight. Bands playing in the parking lot behind me.

Here’s a short ‘feature’ about me on THE Clothing’s blog, ‘the world peace movement’. The article is actually written by my girlfriend haha. Go check it out: theworldpeacemovement

Just started working on my 2nd painting yesterday. 5 more weeks left ’til my solo show. Still got a lot of painting to do.

Here are a couple of previews. Excuse the bad camera-phone photo quality.

I’ve been away from the canvas for a couple of weeks to work on a few digital illustrations (a poster, my business card, and a tee design to be released at my art show). Finally, I got to paint again yesterday morning and will be doing so for the next seven weeks.

I was quite amused that Snow (I didn’t pick that name, I swear) was paying close attention to my painting while I worked…. ’til I realized the cause of her hypnosis was the motion & sound my paintbrush made against the canvas.

This part of the painting still needs a bit of polishing, and the hair needs more detail. Here’s a peek anyway:

Meet the newest addition to the family.

**Update:

Just learned this: Only 5% of cats are pure white. 15% of that 5% have blue eyes. 20% of that 15% have normal hearing.

Damn. Didn’t know my cat was that rare! What are the chances a cat as rare as her would suddenly appear at our doorstep.

This 3×4ft painting I did almost 4 years ago was one of my early attempts (might have been the first, I believe) at trying to paint a human figure as realistically as possible and, obviously, I failed haha. But for something that I did without any prior knowledge to painting portraits, I think I did quite alright with this one. There’s nothing serious about this artwork, nor is there anything more to it, as it was simply a school project that I had to submit in a couple of weeks.

However, passing by Juan Luna Avenue in Mabolo, I couldn’t help but notice the newly-painted walls, this mural in particular.

Personally, I think some of the elements are a bit close for comfort, but I don’t really mind. Whatever the case may be, I think it’s funny (and slightly flattering) to find someone get inspired to this extent by something you didn’t take seriously in creating. But who knows? The artist who painted the mural must have been joking as well.

Lulz.

I would rather work really, than go on an overnight beach trip that I can’t fully enjoy (My tattoo is still ‘fresh’, and I’ve been advised by my artist to not go swimming in the beach). I decided to go anyway, since I thought it would be a great opportunity to take nice photos of the northern and western parts of the island of Cebu.

Photos were taken with my iPhone.

Enjoy.

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