The Curious Studio

We are all the same, we are all the same.

2012-03-07T11:28:00.005+08:00

So the other day I finally got to see Death Cab for Cutie live. Death Cab! I am happiest being slightly unhappy listening to them, you get me? They have the most heartbreakingly beautiful songs, they just get you everytime.

They didn't play this, my favorite Death Cab song, so I'm posting this anyway.

During the concert I realized I had a couple of artworks/illustrations I titled after their songs.

This one's called 'Soul Meets Body'

This one's called 'Your Heart is an Empty Room'.

WIP: Binibini

2012-02-25T12:18:00.003+08:00

Just started on a new painting for an upcoming group show. This wasn't my original plan but I just wanted to paint so bad last night. I realize that I don't usually use vibrant colors in paintings--a lot of blacks and greys and dark blues--so now I decided to switch it up.

In other news,I heard the Singapore Foo Fighters' gig was cancelled! Boo. :( But I hope Dave Grohl gets well soon though. And I hope next time they decide to go to the Philippines too!

Happiness always,
W

Fun holiday fun

2012-02-24T10:25:00.006+08:00

Hi folks, sorry I haven't been posting lately. You know how it goes when you get back from (an awesome) vacation: the lack of willpower to work, plus leftover work, etc, etc.

Davao was awesome! (See above comment in parenthesis!) People were so nice, shopping was awesome, and they took us to Samal island. If haven't been there, try to book a flight now. It was paradise. We stepped onto a boat with a big buffet table in the middle, they were grilling fish, they had lechon, pancit, all that. And pomelo! I love pomelo. By the way I saw fruit boxes there and they spelled it: PUMMELO. I think that's a cuter way to spell it. Anyway, they took us to a couple of spots like the Coral Garden where we got to float around in the middle of the sea. Oh and there was a jet ski! I fell off of it hardcore because our friend Jason was crazy, making all these crazy turns. And I also had the longest jet ski ride of my life, in the middle of the ocean. Water was so clear, sand was white, the day was lovely. All around good vibes, basically.

I only have phone and lomo photos (but I haven't gone around to having those printed), so I'm borrowing some photos from Daily Grind. Pahiram ha. :)

Come to the next Excursion!

I love you,
W

Lessons for Creatives from David Hockney

2012-02-23T11:45:00.000+08:00

This is something I read the other day and now I have to find the book and I thought it would be nice for you to read this, too.

I think I’m greedy, but I’m not greedy for money – I think that can be a burden – I’m greedy for an exciting life. I want it to be exciting all the time, and I get it, actually. On the other hand, I can find excitement, I admit, in raindrops falling on a puddle and a lot of people wouldn’t. I intend to have it exciting until the day I fall over.

The complete article is over at Nextness. :)

Excursion: Davao City

2012-02-18T10:11:00.000+08:00

As you read this, I've probably landed in Davao. My first time here! Very excited. I don't think I have any friends in Davao...yet. But if you do read this and you're in Davao, drop by the Saless Bar tonight!

Durian kisses,
W

Life is sweet in the belly of the beast.

2012-02-17T14:36:00.002+08:00

Some photos of the exhibit, and some from the initial set-up. :)

Travel while you're young.

2012-02-16T14:58:00.004+08:00

Went to the mall again today, to finally get those glasses I need. Apparently, my right eye has been near sighted this whole time and it's been causing a lot of my headaches. Anyway, I stopped by the grocery first to buy some supplies and then decided to check out what restaurants they had there for lunch. I remember when I was a kid Rustan's always had a restaurant beside it with the sun logo, do you remember what it's called? And they always used to have really good mango and orange juices. Anyway, that restaurant isn't there anymore but it did have this little place called Kashmir. I had the 60-peso vegetarian burger that comes either with mango chutney or garlic sauce. It was pretty alright. And so there I was sitting by my lonesome and I spotted this lovely elderly woman who was wearing a really nice printed blouse and paired it with the most outrageous patterned trousers and somehow managed to pull it off so elegantly. She asked me if she could share the table with me. She had Audrey Hepburn eyebrows. Then we got into a nice conversation. She teaches french and spanish classes at a language school nearby and I told her that french is in my list of languages to learn, right next to brazilian portugese (which, I hope a brapanese model teaches to me hihi). She's taught in Indonesia and India, and by the end of our conversation, she says to me : "Travel while you're young."

That, I intend to do.
W

2012-02-15T11:56:00.001+08:00

Elements from old studies that weren't approved and I'm recycling to send you a message. :)

love,
W

Happy Valentine's.

2012-02-14T16:13:00.002+08:00

I hope you have someone you like/love to snuggle with tonight! Particularly, yourself! I hope you love yourself!

And since we're on the topic of love, I am rounding up a couple of things I love in my room:

My Puiji, of course.

The goodluck cat!

Brown Sugar perfume by Fresh. It smells like Butter, Sugar and Lemon crepes!

Lately, these two very heavy books called The New Artisans and James Jean's Rebus have been inspiring me alot.

My moon projector! A gift the manfriend gave me years ago. You press it and you have a full moon, right on your ceiling! <3

The purple skull.

A tin plate I bought at the Japan Surplus shop.

My Sesame Street record, another gift from the manfriend 5 years back, when we were just 'friends'. :)

My baby beluga book from Hannah!

Love love love!
W

Opening Night

2012-02-13T13:56:00.003+08:00

Thanks to everyone who made it last Saturday! My heart smiles. :)

In the meantime, here are other people's photos of the night. Thanks for lending me these Goks, Guadakomeda and Tita D!

Strange Times

2012-02-11T11:42:00.002+08:00

All children have been told at one time or another by their mothers not to do certain things, go to certain places, or associate with certain people. But every child will have disobeyed at least one of these warnings, and the consequences will have shaped the people they will eventually become.

Strange Times is a loose chronicle of a girl named Lila who is continually disobeying her mother’s warnings. Choosing to err on the side of imagination and exploration, Lila takes risks and lives with the consequences, which can run from the dark to the delightful.

The exhibit is a collaboration between The Curious Studio’s Wiji Lacsamana and award-winning horror writer Yvette Tan, with Tan writing a sentence, Lacsamana painting what she envisioned, and Tan creating a story from the resulting painting and rendering it in calligraphy.

There are strange times in every child’s life, times when reality blurs with imagination. Most children forget this when they enter adulthood. Some, like Lila, chose to live with its scars.

The Collaborators

Wiji Lacsamana of The Curious Studio is a self-taught graphic designer, watercolorist and tattoo artist whose influences include Edward Gorey, Carson Ellis, Yelena Bryksenkova and Jillian Tamaki. The ocean, moon, whales and forest are recurring themes in her work, which constantly explores and intertwines the possibilities between graphic design, contemporary illustration and tattoos.

Yvette Tan writes about anything from food to fashion to personalities to travel. Her horror fiction has won numerous awards, and nowadays, tends to explore the link between food and being frightened.

Pre-exhibit jitters

2012-02-10T17:59:00.006+08:00

I stayed up really late last night, obsessing over the exhibit set-up. I'm always antsy about these things. When I woke up today I felt really crafty. So here are a couple of last minute things I arranged for the exhibit, which I'll still have to set-up tomorrow.

Note that I have the cutest assistant ever!

See you,
W

Strange Times Set-up

2012-02-09T21:11:00.003+08:00

So it was a pretty busy day today. Woke up real early to pick up the last batch of frames, and then went to Pablo X to set up the exhibit. I'm excited but more nervous! When I got home I scanned the photos I took and realized there were a couple more things I still wanted to tweak. Hopefully I push through with those before the opening night! I still very much hope to see you there!

Back to other non-illustration work I go,
W

Oh happy day!

2012-02-04T17:32:00.000+08:00

So many of my friends are getting married this year and I couldn't be any more happier for them! First couple friends to get married this year are Lianne and Jason---I met Jason the night he first texted her, I think. And then I suggested he take her out to watch 50 First Dates which I absolutely looooved (and still do). Man that is a loooong time ago. And now they're here, about to get married. Le sigh. :)

So of course when Lianne asked me if we (meaning me and Hannah) wanted to design their wedding invites I cut her off midsentence and said yes. Of course. :) Here's what we came up with.

So much love,
W

It's getting nearer...

2012-02-03T15:08:00.003+08:00

It's next Saturday! I do hope you can drop by. We got food, booze and music from Guadakomeda, Indie.Nial and Jowee. :) It starts 7pm!

Here's the map:

love and Puiji kisses,
W

Today's thought.

2012-01-28T10:00:00.000+08:00

I'm off to a Book Swap with two friends today, so excited to read new books soon. :) What are your favorite books?

Early worm catches the book,
W

Karpentero Fred

2012-01-27T11:10:00.000+08:00

Photo from his blog.

One of my favorite blogs nowadays is my friend's dad's blog, Karpentero Fred. Tito Fred is by far the most amusing person I've ever come to meet, and one of the most talented people ever. Check out his blog for inspiration and/or amusement. :)

Love,
W

2012-01-26T15:31:00.002+08:00

Sorry I haven't posted in a bit, I took a trip to Pampanga over the weekend and it was quite interesting--felt like I was in The Hangover back there. Let's just say it involved white stretch limos, neon lights and acrylic dance floors.

I should've brought my sketchbook there. But it would've been too dark to sketch anyway.

In the meantime, here's a rather innocent looking scan of an old sketch.

Talk to you soon, been painting (read: cramming) cos it's a little over two weeks til the exhibit! And I'm still not done!

Waaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
W

First Aid Kit

2012-01-18T12:45:00.002+08:00

Hello! Check out an illustration I did for Amelia's Magazine--it's a piece for an interview with Swedish singers First Aid Kit.

Strange Times

2012-01-16T17:02:00.002+08:00

Squee! I can finally all invite you. It would be so, so, so happy if you all could come to the exhibit.

Ladies and gentlemen, STRANGE TIMES, an ehxibit by me and the ever-so talented Yvette Tan. February 11, 2012, that's a Saturday at Pablo X in Makati.

Edades: From Freedom to Fruition

2012-01-16T10:00:00.000+08:00

Please check out the Edades Project.

Manikako

2012-01-15T11:09:00.000+08:00

Look at what I saw when I entered the Manikako website! :)

The doll with the purple hoodie is the one I made for a Manikako/Superficial Exhibit years back. Manikako helps fund free art workshops for Filipino children in need. Visit them over at Manikako.com.

Doll-happy,
W

An Estrogen Valentine

2012-01-13T11:00:00.000+08:00

If you ladies and gents don't have plans on Valentine's yet, here's a tip! :) Should be fun. :) I designed the poster, too!

Che's tattoo

2012-01-12T09:36:00.002+08:00

I tattooed my friend Che yesterday and I have been so so so excited to tattoo this, an Amy Sol illustration! (I am a big fan.)

This is just the outline and shading, we might put in some color on the second session. :)

Happy happy good vibes,
W

Our day will come.

2012-01-09T16:51:00.002+08:00

Less than a month til the exhibit! I've been busy painting lately. :)Here's the messy bed where they lay.

2012-01-06T11:36:00.000+08:00

I finally gave in to Facebook's Timeline and well, just look at the old photos you can unearth:

This was from a Valentine's Exhibit called 'It's Complicated' at the Pablo Gallery in Cubao X, from two years ago. This piece is a collaboration between me and Nelz Yumul.

And, in a month and a couple of days, I'll be having another Valentine's Exhibit for Pablo, this time at Pasong Tamo and this time it's just me and Yvette. Eep, must make posters soon! :)

Goody Two Shoes

2012-01-05T11:03:00.006+08:00

Months ago I was contacted by Sonni, one of the jolliest guys to ever hang out at Nomnomnom. (He saw me drawing and then we talked and he turned out to be this huuuuge comicbook guy, which I didn't expect because he was always in a barong. He is a lawyer.) Anyway, he called me up because he was taking up a social entrepreneurship class and was starting a project with his doctor friend. Their project is called 'Goody Two Shoes'--shoes that will basically help the diabetic. I'm all for projects like this, of course, and when he asked me to help them make a logo, I did a bunch, I tell ya.

But we ended up with this:

I hope the project goes well! :)

Love,
W

It's the start of a normal working day for me.

2012-01-04T19:22:00.002+08:00

So I finally got my computer back today! Whew. Was so worried I about my files. I think I need to buy a UPS thingie. Awesome fact for the day: I managed to carry an iMac all by myself! Hurrah to yoga and pilates! *Kisses my 'guns'*

I just finished designing an upcoming Valentine's poster and I'm pretty much psyched about it. Will show you the studies as soon as I get feedback. :)

In other, very very exciting news, James Jean will be in town. *fangirl mode on* I got to sign up for his art talk at Ateneo this Friday with my mentor, Dyun Depasupil and I cannnnooot wait. I want to bring all my James Jean books for him to sign but I think there's another registration thing for that. I hope I get at least one book signed! Go, go, go, sign up too!

Here's the poster from the Fully Booked FB site:

Hope to see you there,
W

A call for good things to come!

2012-01-01T00:00:00.001+08:00

Ahh, 2012, hello there. :)

Hopefully this Taylor Steele/ Corona video reflects and ripples into my 2012. Here's to more surfing, more beach trips and travel for that matter, more good vibes, more good beer, even awesomerrrr friendships, good music, good weather, awesome romances, and much much brighter careers for all of us!

Love, kisses and all things good,
W

I found a place I thought was stolen

2011-12-31T17:00:00.004+08:00

2011 was a nice year, I met a lot of nice, new, interesting people and I got to work on really fun projects. I finally got to design a book cover, art directed a magazine, put out a couple of posters and had people from other countries contact me because they loved it (woohoo!), got another Tokwart project, tattooed a lot of very interesting people who I got to be friends with and I finally found the courage to ask people I wanted to work with on collaborations. I hope next year gets to be much more productive than this one, and much more fun! I have a couple of exhibits and collaborations brewing for 2012 and I am very excited. (By the way, if you want us to collaborate on something, let me know eh?)

No year passes by without an awesome soundtrack. This year was filled with extremely good music, I think, and I was particularly moved, ever so gently, by this year's records from Bon Iver, The Foo Fighters, and Friendly Fires.

And so, I am grateful. For everything. Thank you universe!

I was made to be even more thankful by the past few days:

Nothing beats a nice sunny day out with good waves on the beach and good friends to hang out with. If this isn't a good way to end the year, I don't know what is. :) So, see you in a few, lovelies, my mom's making Vegetarian Palabok--I haven't eaten this in years!

Have a safe night and see you next year!
W

2011-12-30T17:44:00.002+08:00

Sorry I haven't been posting, but right now I'm in La Union and I got to meet up with old and new friends. I can't upload photos just yet, but these past few days were epic--from the beach to the mountains...I am virtually sending all of you good vibes, and I hope you get it! :)

One more day left off 2011 and tomorrow I start listing goals, promises for 2012. A 2011 goal/promise I have to keep and keep up, is to spread positivity. I must say I didn't fulfill this 100% in 2011 but that's what new days are for, eh?

What new promises are you start making and what are the others you intend to keep?

And with that, I end by showing you a video of the cutest owl ever.

Last year's work.

2011-12-23T23:26:00.000+08:00

I can't believe I never got to post these! Here are some prints (and different versions of that Have Love, Will Travel print--I love that Black Keys' cover) I designed last year when I worked as Designer-in-Residence for Heima and I think these are still sold over their Paperclub (the old logo, I designed, too!) store. I was giddy when some of themwere featured over at decor8, too!

*Photos from the Heima website

Anyhoo, countdown til Christmas: 2 days.

La dee da,
W

Quick Updates

2011-12-22T14:00:00.000+08:00

I'm getting close to finishing this piece for the exhibit. I have quite a number more to finish though. Very excited. :)
Also, did I mention that Play! Magazine is out? I was creative director for this one, the official magazine of Resortsworld Manila. Get one if you happen to be in Resortsworld, it's for free!

Oh oh and another thing, I just heard that RJ Ledesma's newest book, It Only Hurts When I Pee, is out this week! I met RJ at a UNO meeti g months ago and right then and there we talked about me designing his upcoming book cover! And now, it's out in National Bookstore, Fully Booked and all leading bookstores. It's hilarious. I want to post photos of the book cover but I'm on my tab--must get to the nearest bookstore to buy a couple for my relatives. :)

Pampashoo,
W

2011-12-21T16:22:00.002+08:00

So I finally got to purchase and wrap presents. :) I saw ribbon badges in yellow, blue, red at National Bookstore and thougt they'd be cute as gift tags so I bought them. Wrapped them in Manila paper, too. :) Do you have as much wrapping presents as I do? :)

Love,
W

Filibata Art Walk 2011

2011-12-20T11:10:00.001+08:00

I was asked to be part of this exhibit a couple of months back and I can't think of a reason not to join. :) It's on exhibit at the Sining Kamalig Gallery at the 3rd floor of the Gateway Mall, Araneta Center until December 31, I think. If you want to know more about the exhibit, the NGO behind it, and the beneficiaries, here's an excerpt from the Filibata Art Walk Facebook account:

THE PROJECT
In keeping with Juliette Kwee’s continued efforts in helping Manila’s Urban Poor, Juliette launched the FILIBATA Photowalk in early 2011 in collaboration with Netherlands-based NGO Filibata, and Bahay at Yaman ni San Martin de Porres, a Philippine-based charity organization. 21 photographers were invited and assigned the pleasant task of capturing children at play in Tondo, Manila. Afterwards, the INK artist group – through the leadership of celebrated local artist Jason Moss - was invited to interepret the selected photos through their own artwork. Artbeat Manila in collaboration with California-based graphic designer Anderson Gin graciously contributed to the project by designing a beautiful set of postcards – to not only raise funds but to serve as keepsakes of the project.

The 2011 FILIBATA ARTWALK EXHIBIT scheduled for December 8 6pm at Sining Kamalig art gallery, Araneta Center Cubao, Quezon City showcases the entire collection of photos and works of art, curated by Jason Moss. The postcards will be available all throughout.

A special day has been arranged for the participating children and their parents December 10 at Sining Kamalig. New clothes have been generously donated by Wings of Support. Haircuts will be provided courtesy of salon stylist Marvin Garcia. Sining Kamalig will be conducting a special Art Workshop for the children. After lunch, a meet-and-greet will be arranged between the photographers, the artists and the children.

ABOUT JULIETTE KWEE
As a psychologist Juliette Kwee inspires people to step out of their comfort zones; to places they’ve never been to and would never likely visit. She believes interaction between people brings about change. In this case, photography served as one approach. She wants to show the rest of the world that children – regardless of environment – can be happy given plenty of love and an opportunity to play.

Juliette Kwee’s career has been centered around community service and volunteerism. Her continued efforts in community service and volunteerism in the Philippines are an extension of her prior role as NGO adviser in the Netherlands and a reflection of her commitment to helping others.

For more information, please contact
Juliette Kwee
juliette@kwee.in

This is my piece for the exhibit:

I call it 'Love is a place'. :)

You can either purchase the actual, framed artworks or purchase them in postcard form. I hope you can drop by.

It's almost Christmas,
W

Sendong Relief

2011-12-19T12:22:00.003+08:00

On another note, please help us help Sendong victims in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. It's the easiest thing--donate via texting. If you have extra blankets, towels, hoodies, food, anything the victims may need--you can donate them at any LBC branch near you. My heart goes out to all the victims and to everyone who wants to help.

*Poster by Dan Matutina

Much, much, much love,
W

The Cuteness Kingdom

2011-12-19T12:00:00.000+08:00

Last year and a couple of months back, my good friend Hannah and I decided to (wo)man-up and chronicle our daily outfits by illustrating them. We called this project Cuteness Kingdom (her mom told us once or twice that we looked like we came from the Cuteness Kingdom! Where this place is, we will never really know). This project lasted only a couple of weeks haha. It was fun though! Hannah, maybe we should at least try to update the site once or twice a month? What say you? Haha.

too-da-loo,
W

Have a happy Sunday. :)

2011-12-18T10:00:00.000+08:00

Sending you love and good vibes,
W

'Christmas Panic Mode On!' and about that upcoming exhibit

2011-12-17T10:00:00.005+08:00

Seven days til Christmas and I am still out of presents to give to anyone. Will definitely try to scour the different bazaars later, if traffic allows me. Have you shopped for anyone yet? I've been messaging friends over YM, asking them about the most convenient place to shop for presents, and true to that saying 'birds of the same feather...', none of them have shopped yet. Haha.
______________
In other news, I have been working on a couple of pieces for an upcoming, exciting exhibit! Months ago, I finally asked (after months of trying to get over my 'shyness'--friends, do not scoff at this one. I get shy, I swear!) the Yvette Tan if she wanted to collaborate with me on a project. I've always loved children's storybooks--I've always loved layouts where you the see illustration, and below it, a sentence of two. Also, Yvette is the perfect, perfect writer for the mood I want to set. :) I've been drawing and painting the past few days, and I've only come up with a four pieces so far! I need to paint, oh say, nine or ten more.

But here's a sneak peek on the pieces I've come up with so far. :)

See you later,
W

The Curious Store

2011-12-16T20:00:00.005+08:00

I forgot to mention this in the last post but I recently put up an online store for my prints, and well, please visit it if you feel like purchasing stuff from me. There are only a couple for now but it's due to have more prints very, very soon. :)

Here's a sneak peek of what I have literally in store for now:
'

I love whales. :)

Promises, promises.

2011-12-15T15:12:00.001+08:00

I've always wanted to be one of those people with awesome blogs but I never was the consistent type...and hereforth I withdraw to you: A SWEEPING DECLARATION: I PROMISE TO BE MORE ACTIVE (ONLINE) beginning today! It's December 15 (my dad's birthday, happy birthday, pa) today and we've got a couple more weeks til declarations of resolutions and I said to myself 'let's start today, shall we?'. I have a personal blog--my long and lasting love with livejournal--but I suppose it should be better for me to have a separate one for work, or dare I say it, art. No. Let's call them illustration, design and tattoos. :) I read somewhere that maybe we should make promises, instead of resolutions so that they are more binding. So beginning today, I promise to make my 2012 awesome--more specifically in terms of work. I have a couple of exhibits brewing, and I hope all the other supposed projects push thru, too!

So anyway, I've been busy the past few days since I finally got my shipment of inks and that new power supply (the old one broke down the night before I was supposed to tattoo a new client! Le stress!). Luckily, my clients were nice and patient enough to wait for the shipment to arrive. And also that they had really nice concepts for tattoos, making me ten times more excited to tattoo them.

I have another cupcake tattoo I have to design soon, and another back tribal thing...but those are slated for January. It's Christmas next week and I still haven't found anything for anyone. Eegad. Also, Christmas breaks also mean I'm bound to go home to the province! San Fernando, La Union I miss you. I plan to paint paint paint for the upcoming show in February, and surf surf surf! Another 2012 promise is to squeeze in more surfing time. :)

So, see you soon, it's a busy busy Thursday night here in Manila, Lupe Fiasco is in town, Kaskade, and DJ Reuben of Ladytron is spinning at Escobar at Cubao X and I'm going there.

xxooXoXXXXXOOOOOO,
W