QUICK UPDATE: SOFT Event by @chingkeetea

_{Black Prang Watercolor on Canson Watercolor Paper}

I am currently juggling two things: SOFT Event & Sndbox Monthly Assignment for Cohort 2 incubatees.

The former is an event organised by Chingkeetea — a popular tea shop in our small city — that aims to gather local artists for a small art fair event where they can launch EPs, Zines, and even sell original prints, drawings, and paintings.

The other day, they just announced the final date to be on August 25-26 at their 3rd and newest brand at Gaerlan Street. For sure it'll be so much fun because it is just 2 days away from our city festival which falls every 28th of August.











What's better way to showcase my love for felines than this event, right? Cats are squishy and fuzzy and soft, that's why I knew I needed to paint them for the event. The cats I illustrated above are from photographs taken by myself here and abroad.

My good friend Kenneth told me I should consider printing them on scarves, but scarves aren't so popular in a tropical country, so I might print them on tote bags, yes? Also, will you guys be interested in buying if I sell stuff here?





Aside from cats, I am also painting sea of clouds. Soft. I am struggling right now because I do not have acrylic pad or canvas paper, and painting on watercolor paper isn't my cup of tea. I managed to find canvas paper yesterday but of a brand I never heard of. I always try to deliver only the best quality, so I might not buy the one I saw, but will order online from a trusted seller.

The photo above is an example of bad paper quality. It doesn't sit well with me, and it gives me unwanted feelings of discontentment and disapproval. (The sunset painting on the left was Acrylic on Canson Acrylic Pad.)

After that failure, I tried using soft pastel. They are great. The mixing and transition of colors are easily achievable, but I didn't like how chalky it looks. I imagine sunset paintings to have smooth texture, and soft pastel is definitely a wrong media to use.

So I ended up jumping to another materials -- from paper and acrylic to canvas board and oil. And without a doubt, oil colors are still my favorite to use in order to get the smooth, seamless transition of colors I envision in my paintings.

_{I used acrylic for underpainting before jumping right into oils.}

I am just so excited to put myself out there in the market. The first and last time I displayed my work in public was in December 2014 where I joined local artists in an exhibit. I am also very happy that right when I announced my participation on the art fair, my friends were enthusiastic and very supportive of this bold move. (I am a very insecure person with very low self-confidence, so this is really a bold move.)

Designer: Karl Aguro

SOFT EVENT by @chingkeetea

WHAT: EP Launch, Zine Launch, Makers Market
WHEN: August 25-26, 2018
WHERE: Chingkeetea New Brand, Velez Corner, Gaerlan Street

For updates, follow their page on Instagram. 〰️ #softsoftsoft

This event will keep me busy until it's over. Good thing that right after this, I'll be going back to the countryside to experience their festival (and hopefully to finally ride a horse for the first time.)

How about you? What's keeping you occupied these days?

Best regards,
Allyssa ✨