Rusty Banana Forge

On September 27th, I had the pleasure of addressing the senior batch at St. John’s Academy San Juan. It was their career orientation day! I was invited to speak regarding careers in Visual Arts and Architecture. Others careers were discussed as well

My career in the visual arts is largely self-made and primarily directed towards illustration and painting, but having done my fair share of design, and having friends who do various full-time visual art jobs - I gave the students a fairly well rounded account on the field. They asked a lot of sensible questions.

I wish we had career talk from industry professionals back in Xavier School. It would’ve saved me a lot of time studying exactly what I wanted. Talking it over with professionals in your intended field really really helps.

After a successful public speaking experience, I went to Megamall and passed by Astrovision stores as well as Tower Records (in Powerbooks). I noticed how porn videos have found their own shelves alongside regular movies (and woe even beside the children’s section). Perhaps these stores are desperate for sales. (I didn’t buy any porn though - just Hellboy, Tomb Raider 2, and more episodes or Carnivale - awesome series.)

The rains picked up the following day and grew into a storm. Typhoon Milenyo took out our power for close to 3 days. We ran out of cold water to drink. Food was rotting in the fridge. I couldn’t finish the RAN online strip. My mobile phone survived with just one notch of battery life but it was pointless to try reaching Andrew Drilon to tell him I still had no power Many other Filipinos had it worse with the fierce winds pounding all sort of things down - telephone poles, trees, and billboards. Fortunately we only had to sweep and clear tree debris.

On the day (29th) after the worst of the storm I got a call on my phone from Lampara’s Jun Matias. Yes, right after all that devastation, we just had to start on a children’s book! So now I’ve got a project from Lampara due at the end of October!! That Ang-InK catalogue is really getting me a lot of work!

I decided to go to V-mall and grab a bite under some electric lights! I got most of the studies for Lampara’s project drawn out before I bid the restaurant (and it’s electricity) goodbye. I drove back home through our dark neighborhood and got a kick out of killing my lights now and then to leave myself surrounded by all that night.

The Amazing Gospel project from Crosswind Comics draws to its completion on my part. Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan’s exhibit “Sa Tabi Tabi Po” is about to draw a close as well at the Riverbanks Mall.

I have been very blessed that Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Schwabauer of Crosswind Comics were very easy to talk to as clients and that they also paid in faith and on time. I’m hoping The Amazing Gospel comic will serve the prison ministry well in bringing them the Good News.

Also I’d like to thank those who purchased Kapre at the Park, my artwork for the Sa Tabi Tabi Po exhibit. If I knew who you were I would thank you by name! Ever since my first Ang-Ink exhibit three years ago (2003) I have always sold my exhibit artwork, so have faith that my track record will increase the value of your investment!!

My sister will be going to the USA in 2 days as issues on property and poverty continue to loom over our home here. Hence, I am considering various options in my career that may give my earnings a boost. For the next few months I will be reinforcing my portfolio for children’s illustration - specifically targetting the US market. The word on the ground is that the Philippine children’s illustration industry is not mature enough to make a living on. And I say that not to put it down, but to brace those who may have lofty expectations of it. Also, I will be learning Zbrush - the touted “2.5D” program that textures, paints, and sculpts in 3D. I’m hoping to increase my scope of work and open the possibility of working abroad or starting a business.

Just had to post this. This 3D render of Song Hye Kyo (the Korean actress in Full House) looks real enough to fool your eyes and mind!

It’ll turn skeptics into believers. This is virtual 3D character modelling, texturing, lighting and rendering at its best! A new bar has been set!

The Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) seemed to have fewer stalls this year compared to last year.
I went there looking for anything that would boost my skills and career as a freelance illustrative designer. My budget was Php3,000.

The how-to books were many, especially the how-to-draw manga kind. Children and teenagers snapped those up quickly and there were still many left. I was particularly interested in the storytelling how-to books… including one illustrating 99 ways of telling a story in comics and another one on producing graphic novels. If I remember correctly, the discounted cost was roughly 600 and 800, respectively.

They were many people loittering to read Graphic Novels both from American labels and Japanese publications. With so many good graphic novels in the major stores, the comic book stories were not hard to find. I bought one for Php100. (And coincidentally did you know that the National Book Development Board calls graphic novels : BOOMICS? A mix between Books and Comics.)

Hard-to-find books were those strictly on character design. I saw one that was on showcase (not for sale) at roughly Php3,500. It included explanations on how muscles, bones, and diagrams on movements of various animals. Out in stores later this year or by 2007. Also another one with a more Disney feel with a discussion on color design for character quite suitable for young artists at around Php1,500

Even harder to find were books regarding marketing oneself as an artist and pricing one’s work.
A 2004 guide to publications in the US was for sale at around Php2,000 - containing submission requirements, payment info, and contact information of numerous publications. Too out-of-date for the price though.

Books on architecture, interior design, and photography were overwhelming. Graphic design books followed closely (the Idea Index was selling for 800 - the price I bought it when there was no sale), and then books on 3D modelling and animation. But while there were only a few books on digital painting (one being the fairly oldJapanese Comickers book and one one Fantasy art) there were recent magazines selling for around Php860 on Digital Sci-Fi and Fantasy work - which I promptly bought (came with a DVD and another issue of it!).

Other popular magazines were selling for extremely discounted rates and were even selling in bundled deals. So printed references for people, automobiles, and architecture were abundant and cheap.

The sheer volume of children’s books exceeded all other illustrated books. It’s true every year of the fair.

All in all I didn’t spend as much as I would have. Nonetheless, I believe I got really good deals on the magazines and on the graphic novel. Bookfair prices appear to be discounted, but you still have to use your own mind to judge whether or not the price is right.

BUT besides the books, the MIBF is a good time to market oneself as an illustrator. Going around, shaking hands, and passing out catalogues of Ang-INK to publishers allowed me to hand out my own card as well. Here’s looking forward to the next one!

15 minutes of fame for a few hours of ass-smacking illustration.
Do you have what it takes?
Whose skill will fulfill? Will YOU be… the Philippine’s next Lead Slinger??

Let’s GET IT ON!!