Tuesday, February 19, 2008

CASA RAYO

pen-and-ink study
dimension unknown


“Literally meaning letters and figures, Letras ý Figuras were once considered novelty art. Considered an original Filipino art form, these were rendered using watercolor on brown paper. Upon close observation one would see the letters blend with the details of the painting. It depicts tableaus of men and women amid flora and fauna with various Philippine landscapes and city scenes as backdrop.

The capital letters of the patron's name were cleverly formed with everyday objects to provide support for the human figure in various activities. The skill of the artist can be seen in how naturally he could integrate the figure to form part of the letter.

With each letter only a few inches high, the art of the miniaturist came into play in the finely delineated figures of great variety and the exquisite details of their costumes. The other letters of the name, often on two or three levels, were situated in a lighter background of landscapes…"

- taken from http://www.bulletinph.com/

________


This is my rendition in the
Letras ý Figuras style. Though not miniaturized (goodness knows my figures are mostly voluminous, plump and literally big) this is my first foray into this form. This is the study of the actual painting which I will eventually finish in a few more days.

This thing actually reminds me of the hand signals made by those men who guide planes on the tarmac. Hmm, curious...

12 comments:

Ebb Tide said...

Very creative and imaginative pen and ink study. Glad you're working on different media. I have been busy traveling but greatly inspired w/ recent trip to Arizona. Your blog continue to inspire me too.

TK said...

it does remind one of those who guide planes in the tarmac and navymen who communicate via flag semaphores.

palma tayona said...

@ Ebb: just visited your blog. GREAT PICTURES of your vacation in arizona. :-)

palma tayona said...

@ tk : hehehe, it sure does. ;-)

palma tayona said...

@ tk: but i surely doubt if navymen make cartwheels to signal the planes that taxi on the tarmac. ;-)

Ebb Tide said...

Hi! Thanks for dropping at my blog too. You should visit the southwest, specialy New Mexico and Arizona. I noticed that there are many plump people living there. You will not ran out of models. I also read that at present Las Vegas, Nevada is now the fattest state here in the U.S. What does it mean? More plump models for you. Are you thinking of having an art show here in the U.S. someday? Just curious.

Nance said...

'morning palma,
your study looks good enough to frame. what do you normally do with your studies ... may i ask? i have lots of them packed in a box.

Anonymous said...

Very nice drawings, as usual. :)

I'm not an artist. Can't paint, can't draw. But what if I grab a kiddie coloring book. I color one of the pages intently with colored pencils or crayons. Satisfied with my work, I have it framed. Can you call that an art work? And my own?

palma tayona said...

@ ebb: i would love to see and be amongst hefty individuals. it will be a delight for me. :-) about exhibit in the u.s. in the near future? hmm, why not? but as of now, i intend to build a name here first.

palma tayona said...

@ nance: actually, many of my drawings have been bought by collectors. my favorite ones, i give to my brother for safekeeping. :-)

palma tayona said...

@ rhodora : i believe what is more important is the intent.

if a piece of urinal basin was displayed in a gallery in the early part of this century, was signed by a famous artist from the dada movement (his name escapes me now) and has a SPECIFIC INTENT and LEGITIMATE THESIS behind it, then why can't a page from a coloring book that is colored and signed by an artist be not called art? :-)

it is your own because you made it as such. no one can contest you on that. :-)

Ebb Tide said...

I am an artist but when I am bored I spent time coloring books w/ my grandkids. There's nothing wrong about coloring books as long as you enjoy doing it. Is it an art, ask by Rhodora? Yes, as long as it's done w/ all your heart.