Controlled Chaos Series

Controlled Chaos – A perfect paradox one can say.  I relate it to martial law, traffic jam, spiders web or even an ant colony.   When one thing looks chaotic at first but when gazed at intently you know that it is still controlled.  That’s how I see this series of artworks I did -- splashes of colors, strong strokes in a movement that is not calculated, yet demonstrating order and organization in a way that is not obscure to the one who looks at it. 

Controlled Chaos

(Study)

24" x 24"

Acrylic on Canvas

Ironically, this is not a theme I realized I would delve into.  My hands have always been comfortable painting figures and landscapes.  But one day, I just wanted to play with colors in front of a canvas to release my artistic inclinations.  Also, I realized how my eyes have grown hazy over the years of designing and painting faces or life-like trees have been a hard line already.  Nevertheless, doing abstracts is not an easy feat I thought it would be.  Unlike figurative works, abstract paintings should be able to transcend the emotions it wants to evoke to its audience despite the intricacies of its texture, form, color and line.

Controlled Chaos

 (Summer)

48" x 48"

Acrylic on Canvas

Sold to Mr & Mrs. Sarren

As an architect, I am bounded by inevitable restrictions surrounded by my profession.  I design spaces to fulfill the wishes of my clients, injecting the knowledge and expertise I have accumulated through the years.  However, I am restrained by many factors such as budgetary concerns of owners, limitations of space and worse, the complexities set by feng shui if the owners subscribe to it.  Undoubtedly, I earn a living by designing structures to impress but it doesn’t mean sometimes that I like it personally.  I am now and then in a deluge of frustration because some things are just undesirable for me as an architect but I am left with no choice but to give in and just try to work out the unpleasant things.

Controlled Chaos

(Autumn)

Acrylic on Canvas

60" x 60"

Sold to Mr. Dennis Chua

So when I painted this series, I am soaring with freedom, freedom to choose my own colors, to stroke on any direction I want my brush to lead on.  I do not have to care about proportion or contortion.  I painted on my mood. I am not confined with the limitation of human body or the hues of nature.  Yet, I can still evoke control by putting personal details to make the chaos I just did an object of likeness.  It is not an art of work to impress but a piece to be appreciated by those who can accept the likelihood of what not. 

  

Controlled Chaos

(Winter)

36" x 48"

Acrylic on Canvas

Some of the pieces that are not tagged as sold are still in the confines of the gallery that I have trusted to the welfare of my art works.  You can coordinate with:

G/F HRC Bldg. 104 Rada St. Legaspi Village, Makati City

(Beside Planters Bank & 7-11)

(02) 3439670, (0917) 8366998, (0922) 8780748

theOCgallery@yahoo.com

Youkoso Japan!

My first time to visit Japan and my first trip with my new Leica camera. We, (my siblings) have always planned a trip to the land of the Rising Sun for years but has always failed because of a lot of circumstances and mishaps.  But not this time, finally, let me take you to a journey to my favorite city in the world, Tokyo! 

Nihon ga totemo suki desu! (means: I like Japan!)

Brushing on my basic Nihongo skills. 

Takushii desu. Tokyo no eki kara Imperial Palace made desu. :) haha! 

(means: In the taxi from Tokyo Station to the Imperial Palace).

We ended up riding our 1st taxi ride from Tokyo Station to the Imperial Palace.  August is summer in Japan and the scorching heat at that day drove us to decide to take taxi instead of walking. Mind you, taxi in Japan is takaii! (expensive) So you better master the Tokyo Subway and learn the rudiments of walking. 

Baasu no noriba (Bus station)

A girl in Kimono at a bus station in Ikebukuro

Signs shouting out loud the colors of Tokyo, Tokyo!! :)

Kirei na Onnanohito 

(Beautfiul Lady)

Its fascinating to see girls in their exquisite Kimono (Japanese women traditional outfit) crossing the streets of Shinjuku complete with the petite umbrella Japanese women are known for. 

Piss Alley

one of the food chains in the Piss Alley, my favorite spot in Shinjuku. A must see for tourist. I give it two thumbs up! :)

Night time at Ikebukuro

Pedestrian 

 Curtain Ropes

In one of the many restaurants near Metropolitan Hotel.  A peek on what is inside.

Crowded Restaurant

Been wanting to get in at this restaurant but the crowd just don't finish up.  Our tummies are ranting and we can no longer wait so we decided to hop in at the next restaurant.  

Onaka ga suite imasu ka? (Are you hungry?)

Tried this restaurant in the corner, our 1st authentic Japanese dining experience.  See how busy it is there? The food was a delight!

The real grill -- Yakitori!

The octopus ball take-out

a quick peek on a trade going on. (not a serious one! haha) I was trying to take a picture of the Japanese vendor selling the octopus balls in the streets but he quickly said, No pikchur, No pikchur! So I took a back step and hid myself in a post and nevertheless shot like a PRO! 

I decided to take a picture of this dried fish store because of its appealing lights. 

Multitude of Paper Lanterns

A display of a multitude of Japanese paper lanterns adorning and lighting the whole alley.  The ambience was so pensive.

Graffitti or Vandalism?

Car Accident

This car accident caused us a lot of time delay and resulted to a tremendous traffic jam.   The long trip to Hokkaido to witness Mount Fuji became even longer with these accident.

at Masuya

We went inside this restaurant, it's a good place for yakitori! The 2 girls outside are probably just chit chatting on a reservation or a seat inside. :)

Totemo Oishii Ne!! (So Delicious!!!)

This is the restaurant where I've had the best Yakiniku I've ever tasted! No words can explain how it satisfied my innermost cravings for the dish.  All I can say is, Oishiiiiiii!!!!! Gochi Sou Samadeshita (I enjoyed my meal!)

Ikebukuro Station

The most frequently used station for us, the Ikebukuro Station -- the nearest station to the hotel we stayed at. 

Shibuya no Eki (Shibuya station)

A couple dining in a restaurant

Cigar & Smoke

The natural lighting became my friend, the smoke revealed itself amidst the air while these Japanese smoke the day away.

Awesome Architecture

One of the awesome architectural structures I saw in Tokyo.  Clean lines, modern color palettes and expansive windows.

Yakyu (Baseball)

We happened to chance an ongoing baseball game in action in Ueno.  The participants here are quite in 40's already.  Yakyu which means baseball still proves to be the most popular sport practiced in the country of Japan.

Little Girl in the Parade

Saw this little girl asked her dad to watch the parade and her dad gladly put her up in his shoulder. Remind me so much of my daughter.

Handles

When I enter a "Densha" (Train), I always search for the handles.  I was trying to take a picture of the subway train here but the bearded guy in black is so aloof, he keeps on moving. A terrorist maybe. hahaha!

Peeking through -- @Subway

A pack of Japanese trendy adolescents in a subway station.

No London. Just a pub in the Subway.

Was surprised to see a pub inside the subway. Its definitely COOL!!

Narrow Alley

Looks like a shot in Manila. An ordinary esquinita in the outskirts of the metro but no, this is till a shot in one of the alleys in downtown Tokyo.  I was fascinated with the motorcycle parked on the side and a man walking through this narrow alley.

Basement 

On our way up from the 3 basements down we got ourselves into; just to chance on bargain mangas (comics) and marvel figurines.  It was worth the the plunge.

Sayounara Japan (Goodbye Japan)

Time to bid goodbye to Japan (for now).  5 days was definitely 'bitin' but I'm sure I'll be coming back again and again.  
Tanoshii Katta Desu!! (I enjoyed it so much!)