The Flow of the River

The Endless Knot

Time is important, yet not everyone values it. In this carved book I created just a week ago I have carved a Tibetan Buddhist symbol, the Endless Knot, that can be seen in their monasteries. It is so because I have realized time is a continuous flux without interruption and has no beginning and no end. It makes each present moment valuable and only the moment that captures life.


Slowly I'm adjusting to the working routine, where projects and artworks are done especially when an exhibit is coming up and clients are waiting. I probably won't be going out with people for a while and my social life will most probably consist of sleep, eat, read, and rest with kitties. Book arts is important so I'm spending a great deal of time creating my works and preparing for exhibits. Such is the life of an artist, especially when one lives in the Philippines - where artists complacently die each day.

This year, I plan to take it easy by simply working on a few exhibits such as my solo show and just a few exhibits on the sides. It is important that after being gone for a quarter of a year that I clean up everything that have gathered dusts like my living quarters and my working studio in Laguna.

Blank : Mahogany

Most of the books that I've been binding are actually blank but there are those that actually have stories, poems, and other literary works that I have and they are commonly found in bigger art works that I make. I have been writing as well as reading since there are so many books to read when a library is at your disposal.

People who purchase my books perplex me when they tell me that they don't want to write on it. I made blank books so that people can turn it into their planner or journal or a book to contain their poetry collection and not something that they should just display in their room. It is lightweight enough to be carried around and to make a nice looking travel journal and I really encourage the people who purchase them to write on the books, their thoughts, feelings, and anything they feel like writing down. The courage to write is important and it's also a nice relic to keep and to have grand children inherit in the future (Haha!)

The Story : Hiding Away

Soon I will be posting stories that I will be including in my exhibit in the future here. Little stories that I have written right after coming out of the temple life and realizing a lot of things.
I'm feeling a little bit anxious about the projects that I've been doing and it's quite a setback that I don't have my woodworking assistant anymore. It's the trade off when going to the temple and not being able to be there and no work was provided when I was away. So now I'm toiling away on my own but the feeling at the end of the day was amazing despite feeling a little bit of body aches here and there.

Working with wood is not something that a lot of people know, so finding a good assistant is rather hard to come by. I've also been doing volunteer work for Mabuhay Temple and would probably spend at least a day there in a week especially when Chinese New Year is near.

Book art commissions are welcome. Just message me. :)