#SiningBayanihan: Sacrum Cor

Good Friday 2020. The Sacred Heart is often depicted in Christian art as a flaming heart shining with divine light, pierced by the lance-wound, encircled by the crown of thorns, surmounted by a cross, and bleeding. The wounds and crown of thorns allude to the manner of Jesus' death, while the fire represents the transformative power of divine love. The devotion is especially concerned with what the Church deems to be the long-suffering love and compassion of the heart of Christ towards humanity.



"Sacrum Cor", Digital Illustration
Week 2, Day 5: "Corazon (Heart)"❤️

"Jesus, meek and humble of Heart,
Make our hearts like unto Thine."

Ateneo Center for Culture and the Arts
#SiningBayanihan
#InspiringCreativity
#ElevatingArtistry

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#SiningBayanihan: Vizier

One of my favorite Bible stories since I was small has been the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis. His story has always inspired me to be good and be hopeful. As the story goes, his father, Jacob, gave him a colorful robe which made his brothers envious. Joseph has a talent of interpreting dreams, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. They sold Joseph to slavery in Egypt and he was even imprisoned. God used this seemingly hopeless situation to change the course of history. God used Joseph not only to save his family and the nation, but also to teach the world important lessons.
Joseph taught us that even in our worst situation, even if you find yourself in “prison,” we should not lose hope in God’s promises. God’s ability to transform sorrow into joy and to breathe life into a seemingly dead situation. Joseph showed compassion, forgiveness, love, faithfulness and hope because God is always with him. God is always with us.

"Vizier", Digital Illustration
Week 2, Day 4: "Sueño (Dream)"
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PS. This is my interpretation (aka fan art) of Thomas Blackshear III's artwork "Coat of Many Colors". I included symbols that are narrated in Joseph's story. When Joseph was seventeen years old he had two dreams that made his brothers plot his demise. In the first dream, Joseph and his brothers gathered bundles of grain, of which those his brothers gathered, bowed to his own. In the second dream, the sun (father), the moon (mother), and eleven stars (brothers) bowed to Joseph himself. These dreams, implying his supremacy, angered his brothers. (Genesis 37:1-11)

During his imprisonment, the warden put Joseph in charge of the other prisoners, and soon afterward Pharaoh's chief cup-bearer and chief baker, who had offended the Pharaoh, were thrown into the prison.[14] Both men had dreams, and Joseph, being able to interpret dreams asked to hear. The cup-bearer's dream was about a vine with three branches that was budding. And as it was budding, its blossoms came out and they produced grapes. The cup-bearer took those grapes and squeezed them into Pharaoh's cup, and placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand. Joseph interpreted this dream as the cup-bearer being restored as cup-bearer to the Pharaoh within three days. The baker's dream was about three baskets full of bread for the Pharaoh, and birds were eating the bread out of those baskets. Joseph interpreted this dream as the baker being hanged within three days and having his flesh eaten by birds.

Joseph requested that the cup-bearer mention him to Pharaoh to secure his release from prison, but the cup-bearer, reinstalled in office, forgot Joseph. After two more years, the Pharaoh dreamt of seven lean cows which devoured seven fat cows; and of seven withered ears of grain which devoured seven fat ears. When the Pharaoh's advisers failed to interpret these dreams, the cup-bearer remembered Joseph. Joseph was then summoned. He interpreted the dream as seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine, and advised the Pharaoh to store a surplus grain.

Following the prediction, Joseph became Vizier, under the name of Zaphnath-Paaneah, and was given Asenath, the daughter of Potipherah, priest of On, to be his wife. A silver cup was also used by Joseph to deceive his brothers. He ordered it to be planted in the sack of their youngest sibling. The following morning the brothers began their journey back to Canaan. Joseph ordered the steward to go after the brothers and question them about the "missing" silver cup. When the steward caught up with the brothers, he seized them and searched their sacks. The steward found the cup in Benjamin's sack just as he had planted it the night before. This caused a stir amongst the brothers. However, they agreed to be escorted back to Egypt. When the Vizier (Joseph) confronted them about the silver cup, he demanded that the one who possessed the cup in his bag become his slave. In response, Judah pleaded with the Vizier that Benjamin be allowed to return to his father, and he himself be kept in Benjamin's place as a slave.

Ateneo Center for Culture and the Arts
#SiningBayanihan
#InspiringCreativity
#ElevatingArtistry

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#SiningBayanihan: Frontera

This crisis is a war against an invisible enemy. People are helping each other to address the crisis while our local heroes, the frontliners, face risks everyday to combat this deadly virus. The soldiers in this war are the health workers such as doctors, nurses and hospital staff, as well as the security sector, the public and the private sectors who provides the community's daily necessities. These people risk facing different kinds of people who might already be carrying the virus. Sadly, they also become the victims of this war. A total of 21 Filipino doctors have died due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to data from the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAP) 🔗.

April 2, 2020. Week 1, Day 4's #SiningBayanihan Art Challege is "Unidad" or Unity. I created a digital illustration which i entitled "Frontera". I dedicate this to all frontliners who are risking their lives to save others'. To the health workers, security forces, the government, and workers and suppliers of our daily needs, we salute you! We are one with you, muchas gracias!




This piece is inspired by previous work which I created during another crisis faced by the city. It was 7 years ago when our city was attacked by rogue militants. The crisis also known as the Zamboanga Siege. The digital artwork is entitled "Love Heals", which I created as an art challenge which will be printed as cards for a fund-raiser. I re-interpreted the digital artwork in a mixed media sculpture which I made for a group exhibit which is an art therapy for the faculty and staff of ADZU. I called it "Love Heals 2.0". You can see them in this blog post.

Going back to "Frontera," I just want to give out some fun facts about this piece. This style of art is called Cubism popularized by Picasso. He deconstructs the form of a person or object to show its various dimensions, breaking realism and showing a reality that meets the eye. In my work, I encapsulated a group of people in one circle, representing the theme "unity." The roundness also symbolize the world which is also facing the crisis, and which we see nations helping each other through relief or other assistance.

The sphere has 5 faces, four of which has open eyes but the nose and mouth are covered by a face mask. They are the frontliners who look out for the people, giving them care and protecting them from this dangerous virus. At the center, surrounded by the masked heroes, is a person, with his/her eyes closed but with the nose and mouth exposed, breathing fresh air. He/she is us, the common people who are not in the frontlines. We are the people who are being kept safe and healthy by those who sacrifice their lives in this pandemic. Whether you're a frontliner or not, we should all do our part in this crisis. Stay at home, save lives. As the government says, We Heal As One.

Check out more of my works in my Facebook Page: CSZ Doodles, in my Twitter account @cedzabala, Instagram account @cedzabala and here in my blog. For more works on #SiningBayanihan, like the page of ACCA here. #WeHealAsOnePH #InspiringCreativity #ElevatingArtistry #COVID19PH #COVIDreadyZambo

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Like my work? You appreciation is much appreciated!
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#SiningBayanihan: Share Your Love

April 2020. We're in the middle of an enhance community quarantine due to the onging pandemic of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 also known as COVID-19. Everyone is asked to stay inside their homes, suspending all classes and work exempting frontline services. Since its outbreak in December 2019, the first case recorded in the country was in January 30 by tourists coming from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the pandemic. Zamboanga implemented the community quarantine March 15 and recorded its first case on March 24. Read more about the crisis here.

In 4 weeks, Zamboanga City recorded 4 positive cases, with around 70 cases still waiting for their results. It's been weeks since the quarantine and people are getting anxious everyday as the number of cases increase. I, personally, am very lucky to have a work that can be done at home. As a multimedia artist and social media manager, I don't have to report to work everyday. Staying at home is the best way to avoid the virus but sadly, not everyone has that privilege. Marginalized families are the victims of this crisis. Without going outside and working, they can't feed their families. The local government started giving out food packs to these families and we have civic organizations, and charitable individuals and groups who are also sharing their time and resources to the families who need it the most.

During my spare time, I join an online art challenge by ADZU's Ateneo Center for Culture and Arts (ACCA) where artists create pieces related to a theme. My first piece is for the theme "Amor" or Love which is a paper sculpture.

"Share your Love", is a paper sculpture placed outside our home to show our solidarity to the government and our community in this difficult times.❤️ Here in Zamboanga City, households place heart-shaped signs in their doors to signifying that they waive their share of family food packs so it will be given to families who need it more. We are encouraging our friends to also share their love.🏘💕

I made the 3D paper heart following a Youtube video tutorial by Paper Kawaii. You can watch it here. A template was provided which you can download here. I upscaled the the pattern which I printed in a series of bondpaper, and glued them so that can fit a folder. I used a recycled red folder and just followed the instructions. I only created one side since I ran out of red paper. So I mounted the paper heart in a cardboard and attached some strings so I can hang it in our gate. It turned out nicely.

Check out more of my works in my Facebook Page: CSZ Doodles, in my Twitter account @cedzabala, Instagram account @cedzabala and here in my blog. For more works on #SiningBayanihan, like the page of ACCA here. #WeHealAsOnePH #InspiringCreativity #ElevatingArtistry #COVID19PH #COVIDreadyZambo

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Like my work? You appreciation is much appreciated!
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Orgullo

In celebration of the LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, the Ateneo Center for Culture and Arts (ACCA) and El Consejo Atenista, organized an group art exhibit dubbed as "ORGULLO" which means 'pride' in Chavacano. This exhibit is the first of its kind in our university and I wanted to contribute as soon I saw the call for artwork. I submitted two digital artwork which tackles two topics in SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender, Identity and Expression).
 
"CORAJE" Digital Illustration (Illustrator + Photoshop) 2019
This piece tackles sexual orientation. It shows a well sculpted bronze man with patches in his body showing off what's inside of him. The spectrum represents his spirit and his sexuality. He wears laurels which signifies his accomplishments and how successful he is as told by society. He is holding a sword, a phallic symbol, which represents his sexual desire, specifically attraction to his same sex. The sword is also a weapon, a responsibility that he is holding. He can use it to reveal his true self but it takes courage to truly show everyone what he really feels inside. To be truly one's self is one of the bravest thing a person could do. No matter how we are raised up or shaped by the society, it's only us who knows who we are deep inside. It takes guts to liberate the mind and soul from the bounds of society. It takes a brave heart to love someone deeply. It takes courage to be true to one's self.


"GENDER ≠ EXPRESSION" Digital Illustration (Illustrator + Photoshop) 2019
This illustration shows three concepts of SOGIE: Sex, Identity and Expression. What we look outside does not necessarily tell who we are inside. Sex is biological and is the marker recorded in our birth. Commonly its Male or Female but many people don't know that there three more sex: hermaphrodite, female pseudohermaphrodites (individuals who have ovaries and some male genitalia but lack testes), and male pseudohermaphrodites (individuals who have testes and some female genitalia but lack ovaries). Gender identity, which is usually used interchangeably with the term 'sex,' refers to one’s inner sense of self of being a girl/woman, boy/man, other genders, all, or neither. Meanwhile, Gender expression refers to how an individual expresses his or her sense of self. Society has dictated how men and women should properly behave or dress, but in reality, these are just toxic patriarchal culture which is written by ancient societies. Nowadays, there are people who are becoming more open to expressing themselves but stereotypes are still very much common and puts pressure to the LGBT community especially the young ones who tries to suppress their true selves to fit in with the society. The artwork shows a queue of people of different sexes. The two persons in the middle shows a inverted happy face, or the 'fake happy' face, and their shadow, which represents who they are inside, shows that it doesn't match with what they are outside. Sex, Identity and Expression is not just male or female, girl or boy, men or woman, black or white. It is many like the colors of the spectrum.

The artworks are also in DeviantArt. If you like it, do hit the star buttons here: "Coraje" "Gender ≠ Expression" This is dedicated to all my LGBTQIA+ friends and loved ones.

Para Un Mundo Nuevo

On July 28, 2018 Zamboanga City celebrated its first Dia de Guardia Forestal or Day of the Forest Guards, a tribute for the heroes of the protected forest in the Pasonanca Natural Park. Situated at the north of the city proper, the protected area preserves a major water shed in the Peninsula that is home for biodiverse floral and fauna.

Me and my cousin, Wella, were commissioned to create a mural which will be painted on the spot during the celebration at Jardin Maria Clara. I created the initial concept digitally using Illustrator. It featured a forest scenery with lush plants and animals and at the center is a lettering of a quote in Chavacano language. It says "Entre cada dos Arboles tiene puerta para un Mundo Nuevo" which means "Between two trees is a door to a new world". I enhanced the concept art in Photoshop and came up with this:



The organizers eventually changed the quote and simply wanted it "Gracias Guardia Forestal" or "Thank You, Forest Guards". We didn't finish it on the day since the program is just half a day. We continued it home and took us about two weeks to finish since we only do it after work hours. The mural came out very nice and the colors came out nicely.




Special thanks to our moms and our handy man, Badong, for the help!



Like the illustration in my Deviant Art account here.

Perlas ng Silanganan

It has been so long since I shared my works in this blog. Recently, there was a call for submission for artworks for a conference and I was challenged to submit some of my recent works. During the past years, the only works I can call "art" is just a handful and those are commissioned artworks.

This digital illustration is titled "Perlas ng Silanganan" or "Pearl of the Orient" the moniker of our country, the Philippines. Situated at the Southeast of Asia, our archipelagic nation is clamped like a pearl which welcomes visitors from the Pacific and Western nations. This artwork depicts the lives of fishermen in a traditional boat called "vinta" with colorful sails. It represents the diverse cultures in the Philippines which includes Christians, Muslims and Lumad or the indigenous peoples.

(Click image for larger view)

The sea is abundant with aquatic life as Philippines is known for its biodiversity. The title is written in Baybayin, the ancient Tagalog script, which is pegged to be the national writing system of the country. Philippines is rich in cultural and natural heritage and diversity, and it is what I call my home.

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This artwork is originally commissioned by a home-grown restaurant as a huge mural which welcomed its visitors as they enter the place. I initially sketched a concept in paper and created the basic shapes in illustrator. Then, I used photoshop for to add shading, lighting, texture and other effects. Here are some photos of the actual mural in the restaurant.







Like it? Do like my Facebook page CSZ Doodle Art (facebook.com/CSZdoodles/) and in my DeviantArt account @resurrect97