This is an early post of one of the sketches I am putting up for sale at #ArtInThePark (it’s a redo of one I did in January 2024 – see sketch No.82-2578). I don’t usually advertise and don’t often sell my sketches, but I thought I would have another go this year. The art fair will be held on Sunday 23rd March at Jaime Velasquez Park, Salcedo Village, Makati from 10am to 10pm. Our booth (#UrbanSketchersManila) is number 17 along Leviste street.
Sun-9-Mar-2025
This batch of sketches includes the first in my 100th sketchbook – though my numbering of sketchbooks went up the spout a bit when I found a missing one, so the first is …numbered zero! I did this one on my second day in Vigan with #UskManila when I joined the “Vigan Heritage Heroes” event with JCI Vigan.
The first sketch is of the memorial to Dr. José A Burgos (a Filipino Catholic priest who was born in Vigan, accused of mutiny by the Spanish and executed by them along with two other clergymen). The second sketch is of the bell tower of Vigan Cathedral which is being reconstructed after being damaged by an earthquake in 2022. I then sketched the statue of José Rizal in Salcedo Plaza which faces the cathedral. At the end of the session I rushed to squeeze in a sketch of all the Calesa waiting at the edge of Burgos Plaza…I thought they would stay still but in fact every few moments one of them left to pick up a passenger….business must be good.
Sat-22-Feb-2025
On our second day with #UskMnl in Vigan I started with a sketch of the famous Calle Crisologo, which, with many Spanish-era historical houses and a cobbled street, is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. I just managed to include a Calesa (also spelled Kalesa) in this sketch – these are two-wheeled horse-drawn carriages that were a key mode of transport during the Spanish and American periods, but are now primarily used by tourists.
Sat-22-Feb-2025
For this set of sketches I joined #UskMnl on a trip to Vigan – we were invited by JCI (Junior Chamber International) Vigan to participate in an event called “Vigan Heritage Heroes”. JCI Vigan note that Vigan is a “living blueprint of Spanish colonial architecture” and the event aimed to spark the interest of future architects and interior designers, in heritage conservation. It all took place at the Old Carcel (the Old Ilocos Sur Provincial Jail), which is part of the National Museum-Ilocos Regional Museum Complex.
We took an overnight bus from Sampaloc, Manila to get there, and then had a free morning to rest and have breakfast (where I did the first two sketches – one at “Hidden Garden” and the other at the transient house we stayed at, called Balay Da Gian). In the afternoon we joined the event (where I sketched some of the students), then had a guided tour (when I sketched ex-President Quirino’s bust), after which we went round with groups of students to sketch in the museum (where I sketched a sugar cane presser and some urns). The day ended for us with a meal at Cafe Leona…where I sketched my leftover pizza.
Fri-21-Feb-2025
As part of the #LunetaArtFair on Sunday 2 Feb a group of artists and history enthusiasts (called #Renacimiento) organised a live sketching session featuring historical re-enactors wearing vintage clothing. The event was called “Threads through time” and aimed to deepen understanding of the historical legacy of fashion in the Philippines. Each of these sketches was done in about 15-20 minutes – the models posed in couples, but I wasn’t always able to capture both of them in such a short time.
Sun-2-Feb-2025
After Pasinaya I joined the #LunetaArtFair on Sunday 2 Feb. The art fair is an annual event that takes place in Rizal Park’s Noli Mi Tangere Garden in Manila., that showcases art from local galleries. After helping set up the #UskManila stall I went over to the area of the park with statues depicting Rizal’s last days. These were made by Eduardo Castrillo (1942-2016) from bronze and brass, a famous Filipino sculptor who was the artist behind the People Power monument on EDSA and many other sculptures around the Philippines.
Sun-2-Feb-2025
On Saturday 1 Feb we joined #UskManila as the #Pasinaya2025 arts festival – the launch event for National Arts Month. This is the third time I have joined (see sketches No. 2300 in 2023 and No. 2584 from last year) – it’s an annual festival that celebrates Filipino creativity and culture and is organised by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). This years theme was “Para Sa Lahat” (which means “For Everyone”).
I joined up to do some sketching demonstrations – the first at the Museo de Intramuros, where I sketched the courtyard while we waited for things to start. The second sketch was done in the lobby of the museum. The third sketch was done near the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (also called the Black Box) theatre in the afternoon, as a second sketching demonstration. Pasinaya is free to join by anyone but the majority of participants seemed to be young students. A huge group joined in and it was great fun.
Sat-1-Feb-2025
Here is my last sketch done with with #UskManila at the Metropolitan Theatre, for the vaudeville “Samot-Saring Bida: Ang Bodabil ng Pag-asa” dress rehearsal. I did this one rather quickly standing at the back when the performers were in full costume, were finishing off their rehearsal and the when the director was giving everyone a pep talk…hence the title.
Fri-6-Dec-2024
After sketching in the dark for a while (with #UskManila at the Metropolitan Theatre, for the vaudeville “Samot-Saring Bida: Ang Bodabil ng Pag-asa” dress rehearsal), I decided to do a little sketch in the lobby. I’ve sketched at the theatre before (see sketch No. 76-2434 of July 2023 for example) – and in fact sketched this bronze sculpture which is of Adam (Eve is at the other end of the lobby), by Italian artist Francesco Ricardo Monti. I had to correct some mistakes on his head a little (using my white posca pen like whiteout)… my focus was more on the Christmas tree…and this is an opportunity to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone who follows, comments and enjoys my sketches.
Fri-6-Dec-2024