Christmas dinner with painting class

 w/ Leah Lorenzo, Karen & Pat Wu, Marichu Kahn, Abibs Espiritu

 w/ Nathania & Tani Villonco, Marichu, Leah, Abibs, Pat & Karen

Maureen Soong joining us

our food ordered this time from bff's Chef Laudico's Bistro Filipino

my very practical iced tea dispenser which I got from last year's trip to LA

I love taking photos after to see how party went

Hosted an intimate dinner for my painting classmates a week after my annual party

As always, it was filled with lots of funny, inspiring stories, and just hanging out with people you like

Hope you get to feel the happy celebration we shared.

Here's to the next!  

My latest work

Here's my latest painting
Gave it to our guest
Some of my other classmates can't part with their work
For me, if you can't share your talent
Then not worth having it
Planning to give my paintings for Christmas
Hope the recipients will like it...

What do you think?

Christmas Lunch with My Painting Classmates

everydayflair goes to Alabang

my awesome painting classmates

Our painting class with some other friends of theirs who joined in

We trekked to Alabang today to celebrate Christmas with the painting group

For 2 months now, I still haven't found a driver so my mobility has been compromised

Though I must say, I have so many good friends that they always have me picked up

And offer to give me a ride just so they can see me

Always a pleasure seeing and being with my classmates

Though we're on a 3 month break from painting class

As our teacher is having a long vacation in the States

We still make it a point to get together and enjoy each other's company

We had potluck lunch

Everyone made their specialty dishes (except me, haha, they requested for the creme brulee cake I served during Thanksgiving)

And we were all merrily celebrating from appetizer to dessert

Stayed there til late afternoon then got invited by Maureen to her house

I just love this group! Planning already our simbang gabi breakfast!

Happy weekend!

Presenting my painting classmates

our advanced celebration of Thanksgiving

moved dessert to the living room

say cheese! me w/ my sling

interesting conversations

party ended late, no one was rushing to head home!

Been talking about my painting class for a long time

but my husband hasn't met them yet save for two of them

I would always talk about my class and classmates with much fondness

And yes, my eyes do twinkle after class

It is just rejuvenating and inspiring

I told my hubby, children , and yeah, even my Mom (who I talk to everyday for hours)

that my classmates are more mature

and therefore has a lot of wisdom to share

I think my husband was not prepared to see

that they (not all)really are much older than me

and my Mom finds it amusing that I have friends who's more like her age group

Age doesn't matter

I do enjoy talking to older people

But then again , I also have friends 2 decades younger than me

What I like about my life is that

I have interactions with all ages

Not only my kids or their friends for the young ones

but I have students I converse with regularly as well

I have friends also in their 20's still finding love or hoping to settle down

They usually ask me for advice

In their 30's,

My age group, the 40's

I have 50's, 60's, 70's, and oldest one is 90, and yes they are real friends

People I talk to, share laughs with and most importantly we share our lives

Life is really what you make of it

It throws surprises that sometimes take you aback

Which challenges you to be better

And then it also throws amazing people

who just make life all the more interesting and inspiring

And for that I would like to say thanks to.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Am alive!

Yup, I've been neglecting the blog, been so busy, too tired to post

Had lunch yesterday at Restaurant 101 in Enderun with my painting classmates

We were not complete but enjoyed every minute.

Happy midweek!

My profile portrait

We're doing profiles
No model, just drew her from instinct

Have a good day!

A student at 41

stylized Filipiniana portrait (no model)

the finished product, was going for monochromatic

We've moved on from still life to portraits

Though I must admit, as a student now

I'm totally not diligent

I'm the one who doesn't do my homework

Though I have informed the teacher already

That is not my purpose here

I do my work while in class

But outside, I will not get the inspiration to do it

The class IS supposed to be therapeutic for the busy everyday life

Believe it or not, I eat a lot

Well, my painting classmates believe that now

Though I'm the thinnest, I eat the most

I'm the first one to get up to eat

I burn them all, I am so active, I practically don't sit still

In class, I'm also the one my classmates love talking to

I guess I'm an easy target

While the others concentrate so much

I'm always available to be disturbed

One time, the teacher already threatened to separate me and my classmate

For talking too much, haha

Is this a traditional school or a casual class?

Seriously, our teacher's great

He brings out the best in us

So do my classmates

I've always liked school

Save for the first year in U.P.

I'm a geek in disguise

I love learning

Am a teacher too but always a student
And funny how at 41, still loving it

Happy weekend!

Portraits

My stylized Filipiniana portrait

At painting class today, we moved on from still life to portraits

I was like a kid , at first, complaining, "'aahhh"
(Well, I'm the youngest in the class)

But our teacher's so good, I have no idea how I was able to draw a face!

I can never do this on my own

I just turn into a different person when am in that class

Teacher shows us

We follow and interpret

And all my classmates are so into it that it's impossible for anyone not to try hard

Good thing, the portrait needs to be stylized hence the thin, long neck

and big hands

My painting class is really exciting, fulfilling, and a must-go for me!

Happy long weekend!

Still life

Another still life, avocados

finished work

Guess whose work is hanging on the kitchen wall

We're still on still life in painting class

Can't wait when we can do more varied subjects

So today, I had to finish my batirol in class then start with the avocados

And guess who got her framed work?

It's now hanging on our kitchen wall

Replacing the one we got in Paris, hahaha

Owner's original always better, isn't it?

Have a good weekend!

Before and after

finished product

before

Mom, the student

Me after painting classes, wearing my glasses

My work at art class today!

Just got home from art class

As usual, I feel energized and inspired

Everytime we meet, we see each other's improvements

We talk, we bond, we laugh

Really a good class

It's one of the things I look forward to

When I see my classmates

Most are older

But the zest they have for life

And the wisdom & maturity they've gained from it

Is admirable

I've met young people bitter about life

And to think they still have a lot to see and experience

But these classmates of mine are so full of positive energy

My kind of people

I've known them for a short time

But my gut tells me how wonderful they are

Such a positive, encouraging group

Non -judgmental, modest

Despite all of them to be highly successful

I guess true wisdom means knowing the difference

Between a successful and a significant life

To which if we live right

We may be both gifted with

Enjoy your weekend!

Studies in painting

My earlier studies on tonal values...

Just sharing.

Happy Wednesday!

Where I'm at in painting class

My newest work, still unfinished

My unfinished work, doing tonal values

Remember my post regarding taking up painting classes

Well, this is where I'm at right now

I enjoy the class, teacher is very encouraging

Work gets you to be in a different level with yourself

And I mean not just the skill part but the mental & emotional

Yummy comfort food everytime

But most of all, the fun, kind, inspiring classmates I have

Yesterday as I was crazy busy and honestly tired

I was tempted not to attend class

But the thing that really urged me to go

Was the camaraderie and company my classmates bring

Most of them are older

And the wisdom that I learn from them is uplifting

I always go home fulfilled and looking froward to the next class.

More than what I signed up for!

My new something to do

Got this invite to do painting classes
and though learning how to paint was not in my list of what I want to learn
Pottery was more like it
It sounded like fun

So had my first painting class yesterday
It was very relaxing though tiring as well
Relaxing cause all we had to focus on was the object
Nothing else

We had blind contouring yesterday
As my painting teacher said
All art stems from drawings
Ooops, drawing is the one thing I'm not good at
Thank goodness for draftsmen
who can draw for me when I design interiors

Maybe now, I will at least, get a bit more tips on how to better myself in drawing
Never too late!

Happy weekend!