tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90966679631841419822024-03-08T19:34:19.522+08:00Perelandran ChroniclesRev's personal weblogRev Cruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039000541931797050noreply@blogger.comBlogger210125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096667963184141982.post-85686437041662746422013-06-17T00:20:00.002+08:002013-06-17T00:20:45.333+08:00Lumaaq<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8eduWp3khygtehnQtVUmxZLREJCDshuAi_kEvsacq_6XGwB4nVp3MA5rWjL0NBfdQOBJx9v_4J9AvOiEh8yu1e741cPIeohojkSNurx7crtbUG3L9ZAIoRf-1rd90ASW77CZJ4P2JppX/s1600/2013-04-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8eduWp3khygtehnQtVUmxZLREJCDshuAi_kEvsacq_6XGwB4nVp3MA5rWjL0NBfdQOBJx9v_4J9AvOiEh8yu1e741cPIeohojkSNurx7crtbUG3L9ZAIoRf-1rd90ASW77CZJ4P2JppX/s400/2013-04-25.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Based on an Inuit legend of the Narwhal…<br />
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Lumaaq “lived with his sister and stepmother, who were very evil. The stepmother made him hunt for her, but she would often tell him he had missed his kills when in reality she was keeping all of the food for herself. One day a loon asked what was wrong with his eyes, and when Lumaaq told him, a number of loons took hold of the boy and pulled him under the surface of a lake, letting the water wash out his eyes. Lumaaq could finally see; however, he didn’t share this with his family, because he wished to get revenge on his stepmother. One day they went whaling, and he tricked her into tying the rope of the harpoon around her waist, right before he threw the harpoon into a large whale she had not seen. She was pulled into the ocean by the whale and became the first narwhal.”Rev Cruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039000541931797050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096667963184141982.post-20010586153595633412013-02-02T23:56:00.004+08:002013-06-17T00:26:17.526+08:00Green Dreams<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfTsFhZn20bEKyRwyfIiU3v-VuX50cDkxcrvS7M2AZCefWk35eWh84RAN0epOhIDUTbXw91bD7Q1-9pfQ7CQLkcEbB-Wwnkeu2lkEu8TFNnP7KGBXI26uVIeWJMY1_eQGi7BISy6P_kJS/s1600/2013-02-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfTsFhZn20bEKyRwyfIiU3v-VuX50cDkxcrvS7M2AZCefWk35eWh84RAN0epOhIDUTbXw91bD7Q1-9pfQ7CQLkcEbB-Wwnkeu2lkEu8TFNnP7KGBXI26uVIeWJMY1_eQGi7BISy6P_kJS/s640/2013-02-02.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">"The dream was green. And green dreams never lie."</div>Rev Cruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039000541931797050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096667963184141982.post-20082256009462091602013-02-02T23:43:00.001+08:002013-02-02T23:43:54.590+08:00The Man With Three Nipples (Working Title, Draft)<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/8438544850/" title="2013-01-29 by revcruz, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-01-29" height="395" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8237/8438544850_cc7fe68ef9.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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A very rough draft of a story I hope to polish into completion soon. Watercolor background. Freestyle lettering using a Penesco 501 Esterbrook nib and Cross ink. Somehow I made a mess of the lettering, bleeding ink everywhere. The watercolor layer on the page seems to disperse the ink before it gets absorbed into the paper. But I guess it added to the rough charm of this page.<br />
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It's about this man who has to endure life with three nipples. You can try to read it here (again, reminding you it's a rough draft) or wait for the final form.Rev Cruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039000541931797050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096667963184141982.post-20769078369831338722013-01-20T16:45:00.002+08:002013-01-20T16:45:53.682+08:00Heaven Bound<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/8397904802/" title="2013-01-19 by revcruz, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-01-19" height="395" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8497/8397904802_aaf1c7315a.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Heaven Bound (Watercolor, Acrylic, Ink on Moleskine)<br />
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<i>"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return."</i> - Leonardo Da VinciRev Cruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039000541931797050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096667963184141982.post-25053358950095506522013-01-20T11:11:00.001+08:002013-01-20T11:11:13.592+08:00Imagination<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/8372786959/" title="2013-01-09 by revcruz, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-01-09" height="396" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8496/8372786959_7d3a3023af.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Each world we conjure in our head is a creation. I imagine, in the vastness of the universe, somewhere sometime, that world materialized with all the creatures, the people, the culture and the magic that goes with it. Somehow, the blueprint of this world resides only in our head, in our memory. And whenever we forget, an apocalypse happens.<br />
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Imagination (watercolor, acrylic, ink on Moleskine)<br />
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<i>“It's all a question of imagination. Our responsibility begins with the power to imagine.”</i> ― Haruki Murakami (Kafka on the Shore)Rev Cruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039000541931797050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096667963184141982.post-50052959426790278222013-01-13T01:09:00.000+08:002013-01-13T01:09:55.623+08:00Christmas Muertas<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/8372783811/" title="2012-12-24 by revcruz, on Flickr"><img alt="2012-12-24" height="396" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8085/8372783811_f7469386c0.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Poinsettia Overload.Rev Cruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039000541931797050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096667963184141982.post-32923575079300678032012-12-05T12:14:00.000+08:002013-03-18T08:12:58.274+08:00AngI.n.K. Corner: Tutubi... tutubi...<a href="http://s43.beta.photobucket.com/user/revcruz/media/AngInK/AngInK-Tutubi500.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo AngInK-Tutubi500.jpg" border="0" src="http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e360/revcruz/AngInK/AngInK-Tutubi500.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #2c3635; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">I remember as a child, I used to chase and catch dragonflies with my brothers and cousins at the backyard of my grandparent's house. Now, with all the progress in the neighborhood, they're all gone. nowhere to be seen. How I wish to see them once more.</span><br />
<span style="color: #2c3635; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="color: #2c3635; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Main artwork done for AngInk corner, pubished in Manila Bulletin last December 1, 2012.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://s43.beta.photobucket.com/user/revcruz/media/AngInK/Tutubi500.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Tutubi500.jpg" border="0" src="http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e360/revcruz/AngInK/Tutubi500.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #2c3635; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><br />
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</span></span> Rev Cruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039000541931797050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096667963184141982.post-58775800650247076552012-12-05T11:37:00.002+08:002013-03-18T08:05:03.783+08:00Kidlat sa Bilis<div align="center"><a href="http://s43.beta.photobucket.com/user/revcruz/media/Ang%20Ilustrador%20ng%20Kabataan/KidlatSaBilis-500.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e360/revcruz/Ang%20Ilustrador%20ng%20Kabataan/KidlatSaBilis-500.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo KidlatSaBilis-500.jpg"/></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Recently, Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan held its 21st Annual Exhibition, entitled Mabubulaklak na Dila, Mga Sawikaing Filipino, all about Filipino idiomatic expressions, or “sawikain” We had to create a spot illustration interpreting common idioms and I was assigned to work on “Kidlat sa Bilis”, (translated as "fast as lightining") which meant to move very fast.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"> While thinking up on this piece I asked myself "When do we run our fastest?" Of course, when we are running for our lives. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I even imagined a background story on the piece: Mom asked Boy Kidlat to buy vinegar, but is so afraid of neighbor’s dog… </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">so he took his Lolo’s agimat that grants him the gift of unnatural speed!</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">The exhibit at CANVAS.ph has recently concluded, but the other pieces can be seen at the UP College of Fine Arts starting December 6, 2012.</span>Rev Cruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039000541931797050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096667963184141982.post-6330042202725384182012-11-16T07:35:00.000+08:002013-03-18T08:15:10.713+08:0021st AngI.n.K. Annual Exhibition: Mabubulaklak na Dila - Mga Sawikaing Filipino<a href="http://s43.beta.photobucket.com/user/revcruz/media/Ang%20Ilustrador%20ng%20Kabataan/MgaSawikaingFilipinoPoster.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo MgaSawikaingFilipinoPoster.jpg" border="0" height="640" src="http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e360/revcruz/AngInK/MgaSawikaingFilipinoPoster.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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It’s the time of the year again when InKies showcase their obsession for creation through the power of children’s illustration. The 21st Annual Exhibition of Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (AngI.n.K.) is entitled “Mabubulaklak na Dila: Mga Sawikaing Filipino” and here we illustrate various distinctively Filipino idiomatic expressions. Seeing the previews of the submitted works of art, I couldn’t help but be excited to see how the participating artists interpreted more than 50+ “sawikain” This is surely going to be one entertaining exhibit! And entertaining is the apt word because your eyes and mind will feast on the variety of styles: from the intriguing, controversial and mysterious to the literal, ridiculous and humorous treatment.<br />
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You’re invited to visit the exhibit and look at the masterpieces. If you like, play a little game. Try to guess the “sawikain” correctly without looking at the title card of the painting and see how well you score! (That’s what I’m gonna do!) Better yet, if you like the paintings, you can bring them home (but leave some money, we worked hard for our babies).<br />
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<a href="http://s43.beta.photobucket.com/user/revcruz/media/AngInK/AngInKExhibitMabulaklakposter.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo AngInKExhibitMabulaklakposter.jpg" border="0" height="640" src="http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e360/revcruz/AngInK/AngInKExhibitMabulaklakposter.jpg" width="426" /></a><br />
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The show runs from November 16-30, 2012 at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/CANVAS.PH" target="_blank">CANVAS Gallery and Gardens</a>. Opening reception is on November 16 5PM. See you guys there!Rev Cruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039000541931797050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096667963184141982.post-83014975573406877702012-09-30T11:48:00.000+08:002012-09-30T11:48:02.639+08:00Firewood<p align="center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/8037990658/" title="2012-09-29 by revcruz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8315/8037990658_5a42fb53b6.jpg" width="500" height="396" alt="2012-09-29"></a></p><br />
"Love what you have and you'll have more love<br />
You're not dying<br />
Everyone knows you're going to love<br />
Though there's still no cure for crying"<br />
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I started making this after listening to Regina Spektor's song "Firewood". I love her.Rev Cruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039000541931797050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096667963184141982.post-33229876121759701392012-09-19T12:58:00.001+08:002012-09-19T12:58:35.074+08:00Caught In The Rain<p align="center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/8002064977/" title="08-31-2012 by revcruz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8317/8002064977_52b8095985.jpg" width="500" height="396" alt="08-31-2012"></a></><br />
"Of all days I should forget to bring my umbrella, why did the sky all of a sudden decide to rain now?," Mesma muttered while taking cover under a mushroom along with other elves who were caught unawares by the sudden torrent of rain. Huge globs of rain explode as they crash against the ground, splashing water everywhere, it was impossible not to get wet. And with the rate the rain is falling, pretty soon every mushroom on the mound will be engulfed by the rising flood. Forgetting the umbrella was the least of his problems Mesma realized.Rev Cruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039000541931797050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096667963184141982.post-43789506661410836792012-08-10T12:47:00.000+08:002012-08-10T12:49:53.159+08:0011 Minutes of SexMy Moleskine drawing "Magkadugtong sa Bituka" in Paulo Coelho's Blog! Woot!<br />
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<a href="http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2012/05/11/11-minutes-2/" title="11 minutes of sex - Paulo Coelho's Blog"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3238/2993955818_39084decfd.jpg" width="500" height="400" alt="2008-11-01"></a><br />
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http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2012/05/11/11-minutes-2/<br />
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Even if he didn't personally ask me to have it featured in his blog, the mere fact that he SAW my drawing, and CHOSE it to ACCOMPANY his WORDS is AWESOME!Rev Cruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039000541931797050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096667963184141982.post-8594461795257467592012-07-22T10:43:00.000+08:002012-07-22T10:43:20.496+08:00My Moleskine inspired takas at the TAKATAK ATTACK!"Take a trip down memory lane: Takatak Attack Kids who grew up watching “Batibot” have seen the art of Taka, or paper-mache figures made by craftsmen in Paete, Laguna. While a Taka can be any figure or form, the most popular mold is that of the horse. Check out Takatak Project’s first exhibit, “Takatak Attack”, where brightly colored Taka horses take center stage. The roster includes over 50 artists, and pieces are for sale so you can take home a Taka after." (from <a href="http://ph.she.yahoo.com/photos/what-are-you-doing-for-the-weekend-slideshow/" target="_blank">YAHOO She</a>)<br />
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<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/7619160166/" title="Takatak Attack Poster by revcruz, on Flickr"><img alt="Takatak Attack Poster" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7272/7619160166_8de84c6987_z.jpg" width="440" /></a></div>
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For this event, I created sets of takas inspired from my Moleskine Art. "Wake Up" and "Catch of the Night" will be at the exhibit starting July 21, 2012 and will run until August 4, 2012.<br />
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<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/7619135438/" title="Takatak Attack - T - Catch by revcruz, on Flickr"><img alt="Takatak Attack - T - Catch" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7112/7619135438_ff646af479.jpg" width="470" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/7619132734/" title="Takatak Attack - T - Wake by revcruz, on Flickr"><img alt="Takatak Attack - T - Wake" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8022/7619132734_afc1c91f12.jpg" width="470" /></a></div>Rev Cruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039000541931797050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096667963184141982.post-87661997382038885212012-07-19T21:46:00.003+08:002012-07-22T10:34:14.082+08:00Baghajit and Ondine at the ROBOTARS CUSTOM SHOW #2<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/7603382958/" title="CustomPoster2v1 by revcruz, on Flickr"><img alt="CustomPoster2v1" height="374" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8281/7603382958_cb4d69a972.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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ROBOTARS CUSTOM SHOW #2<br />
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July 21, 2012 at the Vinyl on Vinyl, Malugay St. Makati<br />
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My two customs, Baghajit and Ondine will be joining 40+ others on this special event! See you guys there!Rev Cruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039000541931797050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096667963184141982.post-47382492236378036242012-07-02T23:27:00.001+08:002012-07-02T23:30:58.359+08:00Catch For The Night<p align="center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/7462310560/" title="2012-06-29 by revcruz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7112/7462310560_a0ac7b83ff.jpg" width="500" height="402" alt="2012-06-29"></a></p><br />
Catch For The Night<br />
By Christian Oliver A. Cruz<br />
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Last summer, the whole family went to Donsol where they say we will be able to see the gentle giants of the sea, the biggest fishes of all... the Butandings! So excited was I! I even read books about them. They open their big mouths and in the planktons go. I wonder what planktons taste like.<br />
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We rode on boats and headed out to the sea. So excited was I! I made sure not to blink because I wanted to be the first to spot them. I looked to the front. Then to the right. Then to the back. Then to the left. I made sure to look all around. Hours passed and still no butanding. Soon the boat headed back home. My little sister was crying, "Why are the butandings sleeping? Wake them up mommy!" I wanted to cry too, but I didn't. I wonder why they didn't show up.<br />
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My little sister was still sobbing as she slept beside me that night. As soon as she was sound asleep, I left the bed and looked out the window. It was a clear night with the moon and stars up in the dark sky. A lot of stars tonight. There's the Big Dipper. There's the Small Dipper. Hmmm, I wonder what that one is. As I stared to that group of stars, I noticed it started to move! Soon, other group of stars moved as well! Suddenly the moon shone bright, illuminating the whole sky to reveal what the moving stars were! <br />
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I rushed to the bed, woke my little sister, "Look up to the sky! Look up to the sky! The butandings! The butandings! There they are, up in the sky!"<br />
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We ran to the beach, to the nearest boat and sailed up to the night sky. Up and up we sailed high up to the night sky! Awesome sights galore! Butandings everywhere! Golden starfishes shining bright! Fiery jellyfishes zooming by.<br />
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I told my sister, "I want to catch a butanding for you, so you'll never cry again!"<br />
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"Thank you Kuya, but I don't think that's a good idea," she replied.<br />
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"But I'll catch one for you anyway!" I flung the net out and caught a huge butanding, its star-studded body struggling.<br />
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"Kuya! Stop! Look at him. He's crying!" I looked at my catch and there it was staring at me with tears in its beady eyes. I felt shameful of what I was trying to do. "I'll be fine Kuya, don't worry," my little sister whispered to my ears. Together, we released the butanding back to the night sky as it rejoined the other moving stars. <br />
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We came back to the shore, back to the room then back to bed, where my little sister and I went back to sleep. This time, no sobbing.<br />
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The morning sun woke us up. As we were packing our luggage for the long trek home, Dad and Mom said, "Don't worry kids. Perhaps we didn't see the butandings today. But all the more reason we'll be back here next year!" I caught my sister gleaming at me with a pretty smile. I winked back at her. So excited for next year!<br />Rev Cruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039000541931797050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096667963184141982.post-45565626044441817392012-06-26T04:24:00.003+08:002012-06-26T04:24:45.174+08:00Waking Up<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/7442813632/" title="2012-06-26 by revcruz, on Flickr"><img alt="2012-06-26" height="402" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5235/7442813632_188014ed70.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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"How can you prove whether at this moment we are sleeping, and all our thoughts are a dream; or whether we are awake, and talking to one another in the waking state?" PlatoRev Cruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039000541931797050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096667963184141982.post-59744803302079992652012-06-09T09:28:00.001+08:002012-06-09T09:39:52.869+08:00The Virgin of Balintawak<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/7353059782/" title="2012-06-07 by revcruz, on Flickr"><img alt="2012-06-07" height="401" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7223/7353059782_94ed94c50e.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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After reading Ambeth Ocampo's column at the Philippine Daily Inquirer entitled <a href="http://opinion.inquirer.net/29687/virgin-of-balintawak">"Virgin of Balintawak"</a>, I suddenly remembered where I read or saw some images about the virgin before. I retrieved from my little library the book I bought to feed my private history curiosities, Ileto's "Pasyon and Revolution, Popular Movements in the Philippines, 1840-1920" and there it was, the virgin and the child drawn on the cover. I also remembered seeing this back when I was still in second year college when I visited the Philippine Independent Church near our school. I have always been fascinated by how the Katipuneros seem to intermingle local mythology, religious zealousness and nationalistic aspirations in their way of life. I've cited Bernardo Carpio before, and this is another example.<br />
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Here are some excerpts from Gregorio Aglipay's <a href="http://quod.lib.umich.edu/p/philamer/AHV7801.0001.001?rgn=main;view=fulltext">"Novenary of the Motherland"</a> pertaining to the virgin:<br />
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“When he was still living, the journalist Aurelio Tolentino used to say that one night when Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto and other comrades were sleeping in the house of Sore in Balintawak, one of them saw in a dream a beautiful Mother dressed in the style of the farmers of Balintawak, leading a pretty child by the hand, dressed like a farmer with short red pants and holding a shiny bolo, crying Liberty! Liberty!<br />
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“The beautiful woman approached the one dreaming and said to him, ‘Be careful.’<br />
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“When the dreamer woke, he told his comrades what he had dreamed, saying that the Mother and Child had the face of Europeans though dressed like Filipinos.<br />
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“Because of this, they did not follow their plan to return to Manila for their regular work but decided to wait in Balintawak awhile. It was not long before news came that the Guardia Civil Veterana had raided the press of the Diario de Manila and captured a number of Katipuneros and their papers.<br />
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“Because of this dream, Aurelio Tolentino adds, ‘the first soldiers of the Katipunan wore red trousers.’<br />
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“But for this dream, Andres Bonifacio and his staff would have been captured and we would still not be free even now.<br />
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“The Mother of Balintawak reminds you constantly of your sacred and inescapable duty to make every effort possible to obtain our longed-for independence; and she is the sacred image of our Country.’ The voice of the people will constantly resound from our pulpits, reminding you of the great teachings of Rizal, Mabini, Bonifacio and other Filipinos, and these teachings of our greatest compatriots will form the special seal of our National Church.”<br />
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Further on: “The Mother of Balintawak symbolizes our Country, and the Katipunan child expresses the Filipino people, the rising generation which longs for independence, and both figures consistently reminds us of the tremendous sacrifices of the liberators of our Country and of our sacred and inescapable duty to follow them, also making all possible sacrifices on our own part to achieve our independence.”<br />
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And: “In this image of the Motherland, we symbolize all our natural drive for national independence. The Virgin-Mother is the Country, for the Country is the only mother that can truly be called Virgin, Virgin as it is of all lust. The Katipunero child represents the People, eager for their liberty, and their spokesmen, prophets and evangelists are the great Filipino teachers: Rizal, Mabini, Bonifacio, and our other countrymen whose modern sapient teachings will form the best national Gospel.”Rev Cruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039000541931797050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096667963184141982.post-60155442850092043092012-05-20T00:42:00.001+08:002012-05-20T00:44:59.880+08:00Back Home To Where The Wild Things Are...<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/7227830278/" title="2012-05-19 by revcruz, on Flickr"><img alt="2012-05-19" height="399" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7238/7227830278_ffe38f5353.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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"There are so many beautiful things in the world which I will have to leave when I die, but I’m ready, I’m ready, I’m ready.” - Maurice Sendak (June 10, 1928 – May 8, 2012)<br />
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Here's my tribute to one of the greatest writer and illustrator of children's literature, who has greatly influenced how I see the world and recreate it through my humble art. He's back home to where the wild things are...Rev Cruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039000541931797050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096667963184141982.post-28615250807705514802012-05-06T08:15:00.001+08:002012-05-06T15:29:30.184+08:00The Last Guardian of Matukad<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/6999555910/" title="2012-05-06 by revcruz, on Flickr"><img alt="2012-05-06" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8167/6999555910_cabf31cbde.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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This piece is based on a legend on one of the scenic islands of Caramoan in the Bicol Region of the Philippines. Pristine white beaches, ancient caves, breathtaking diving spots and overwhelming land masses. In the island called Matukad, there can be found a beautiful lagoon but you can't see it unless you climb a steep wall of jagged rocks. The story goes:<br />
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"According to the locals, once upon a time there were 2 giant milkfish, each about 2 feet long, that were residing on the hidden Lagoon inside the island. These 2 milkfish were considered sacred by the locals and were believed to be guardians of the place. One day, a fisherman went to the Lagoon, caught one and brought it home for his family to eat. Right after eating, everyone in that house who ate the fish died. Since then no one dared to go near the remaining giant milkfish." (courtesy <a href="http://thebackpackchronicles.com/2011/10/caramoan-the-legendary-guardian-of-matukad-island/">The Backpack Chronicles</a>)<br />
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I was lucky enough to see the lone fish in the mysterious lagoon and wondered what went on its mind, now that it is the last guardian of Matukad. And hence I wrote:<br />
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"Am I to swim these waters forever alone? The shadow of my being, cast against the basin floor by the high noon sun constantly reminds me of you. But my shadow pales in comparison to you, for it can never mimic the grace and fluid elegance of your movements as we danced the mystical dance. I am mere words and thoughts, but you were poetry in motion... I am creation embodied, but you were inspiration personified... I construct the world around us, but you enhanced it beyond imagination... I am just strong, but you endured... until that fateful moment the mortal captured and consumed your sanctity. It is bliss to live in these magical waters with you by my side, but with you gone forever? It has become eternal hell. Nature has lost its balance and this lagoon that we have been destined to protect together will no longer be hidden. I must endure but I will diminish... The sadness of losing the innocent beauty of our world is great, but I am willing to accept it, if it means that we will be together again... reunited in a time and world where men will never ever seek and destroy us..."Rev Cruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039000541931797050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096667963184141982.post-41235974976490003182012-04-25T12:13:00.000+08:002012-04-25T12:14:11.564+08:00Meet Constance<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/6965567824/" title="2012-04-24 by revcruz, on Flickr"><img alt="2012-04-24" height="402" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8026/6965567824_480b42533b.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Ever since she was a kid, Constance has always dreamed of becoming a superhero when she grows up. She would spend day in and day out reading and training. But in her commitment to her quest, little and little she withdrew herself from family and friends. The people around her branded her as weird. It’s as if you are always left with an unsettling feeling every time you’re around her and no one can ever understand her and the things she does. Finally realizing the futility of her ambitions, she ventured out in the world. But something was eerily wrong. She wondered why people ignored her as if she wasn’t there. Why? And the idea hit her like a solid rock in the head. She didn’t need to be a superhero to be invisible.Rev Cruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039000541931797050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096667963184141982.post-28881281759193569362012-04-15T21:41:00.000+08:002012-04-15T21:47:14.197+08:00A Close Call<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/6933782908/" title="2012-04-15 by revcruz, on Flickr"><img alt="2012-04-15" height="402" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7104/6933782908_9e84342612.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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“A Close Call”<br />
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As Alex Dorsey looks across the crowded room at Mariangela Diaz, he has no idea that in 99.99999% of the parallel universes that him and Mariangela both exist in, they actually meet at this party and embark on a horribly destructive and lengthy love affair that ruins both of their lives and leaves them bitter, hollow shells of their former selves… creating a legacy of pain and sorrow for generations.<br />
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FORTUNATELY, this version of Alex and Mariangela happen to live in the parallel reality where Mariangela picked up smoking at the age of 16 (which only occurs in .00001% of the parallel universes she exists in), so that when Alex spotted her from across the room, he thought to himself “I don’t like smoking” and then quickly looked away… never to think of her again.<br />
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While each of their paths in time led them here, in this reality they do not continue together… neither of them ever knowing how close they came to lives of pure misery.<br />
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Original art and writing by David Micheal Chandler of <a href="http://thedailydoodles.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">The Daily Doodles</a> ("<a href="http://thedailydoodles.tumblr.com/post/20957704311/a-close-call-as-alex-dorsey-looks-across-the" target="_blank">A Close Call</a>"). I sooo loved this piece, I just had to draw it in my Moleskine.Rev Cruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039000541931797050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096667963184141982.post-83361250020347424982012-04-06T02:13:00.001+08:002012-04-07T20:37:15.715+08:00Kawaiillustration 3<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/7053375989/" title="CandyCandy1 by revcruz, on Flickr"><img alt="CandyCandy1" height="1024" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5320/7053375989_b63b677d41_b.jpg" width="513" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Maybe in the desk, maybe in my pocket, maybe in my bag</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">I’m always forgetting all the time, I ponder my selections</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Just a little, just a little, for real – just a little, happiness is coming alive</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">A sweet smell lingers in this fluffy atmosphere</span></div>
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Following up on my Kawaiillustration series, where I utilize a style of combined vector and traditional drawing, here is a piece inspired again by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, who is probably the most popular model and personality in Japan nowadays. She's the personification of kawaii, and the pervasiveness of her influence to present and future Japanese popular culture is intense. The art is derived from her latest music video entitled "Candy Candy":<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/UoK8DaJRDaM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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The video features Kyary running late for her taping (hence the toast in her mouth... "eat and run") but arrives just in time. While resting, an impostor replaces her which enrages her. Not sure, why the Onion gets mad, but since this is a tie-in with the marketing of Breo, a mint candy, perhaps the Onion is actually the God of Bad Breath. Nothing much can be said about the video, but one can't deny how her music sticks to mind. It's worth watching her other videos (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLy4cvRx7Vc&feature=relmfu">Tsukema Tsukeru</a> is interesting) and listening to her music, if it suits your taste and you dig these kind of stuff.<br />
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I started with a sketch (on the first paper I could grab to), then proceeded to inking, scanning, vectorizing, and eventually coloring.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/7048483279/" title="CandyCandy WIP0 by revcruz, on Flickr"><img alt="CandyCandy WIP0" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7091/7048483279_b5b053ef00.jpg" width="354" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/6902389686/" title="CandyCandy WIP1 by revcruz, on Flickr"><img alt="CandyCandy WIP1" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7076/6902389686_b7cffa207d.jpg" width="323" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/7048481055/" title="CandyCandy WIP2 by revcruz, on Flickr"><img alt="CandyCandy WIP2" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7041/7048481055_ff3bd256c8.jpg" width="323" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/7048481783/" title="CandyCandy WIP3 by revcruz, on Flickr"><img alt="CandyCandy WIP3" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7207/7048481783_cf7784e7d6.jpg" width="289" /></a></div>
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Here's another version of the illustration:</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/7053380539/" title="CandyCandy2 by revcruz, on Flickr"><img alt="CandyCandy2" height="1024" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7217/7053380539_edb03ba3b2_b.jpg" width="513" /></a></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ah, but, this or that, everyone</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Wants to be amazing</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">I heard your request, but I had no time to tend to it</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Because, because, I’m a girl after-all, so I treasure “now”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">A sweet smell lingers in this fluffy atmosphere</span></div>
</blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/6907282050/" title="CandyCandy3 by revcruz, on Flickr"><img alt="CandyCandy3" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/6907282050_a17bdab2ac.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Candy candy candy candy candy</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sweetie sweetie girls love</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Chewing chewing chewing chewing chewing</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Cutie cutie ch-ch-ch-chewing love</span></div>
</blockquote>Rev Cruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039000541931797050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096667963184141982.post-87559919582610693242012-04-01T21:45:00.000+08:002012-04-01T22:02:34.193+08:00Baghajit: The Tiger Warrior<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/6888912080/" title="2012-04-01 by revcruz, on Flickr"><img alt="2012-04-01" height="401" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/6888912080_820600312f.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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"In peace there's nothing so becomes a man As modest stillness and humility; But when the blast of war blows in our ears, Then imitate the action of the tiger: Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood." (William Shakespeare, King Henry V)<br />
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As usual, it started with a simple doodle, and it grew into a story of what ifs. The Baghajit, or the tiger warrior is renowned for their ferocity in battle. Among warriors, the practice of consuming the enemy's heart is thought to endow him with the victim's strength. The Baghajits are not only given strength, but the lethal limbs of their conquests as well, all of which can be summoned at will.Rev Cruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039000541931797050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096667963184141982.post-82564325234927913762012-03-21T08:55:00.000+08:002012-03-21T08:55:45.216+08:00Marriage Made In Heaven<p align="center">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/6854369558/" title="2012-03-20 by revcruz, on Flickr"><img alt="2012-03-20" height="401" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7252/6854369558_8ea1b01d11.jpg" width="500" /></a></p>
<p>When can the sun and moon really be together? They may share the same sky, but can only gaze at each other from afar across each end of the horizon. For only but a moment before they resume their eternal chase.</p>Rev Cruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039000541931797050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096667963184141982.post-20658757697573464852012-03-17T10:28:00.003+08:002012-12-05T12:14:28.972+08:00AngI.n.K. Corner: Vernal Equinox<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/6842854440/" title="AngInKCorner-VernalEquinox by revcruz, on Flickr"><img alt="AngInKCorner-VernalEquinox" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7058/6842854440_26df4ce9a5_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Living in a temperate country makes one quite ignorant of words such as equinox and solstices Even if you don't know what they mean, one has to agree, they do sound nice and cool! And that's one of the reasons I chose this topic for this round of AngI.n.K Corner features. Learn and create at the same time.<br />
"When the center of the Sun directly aligns to the celestial equator of the Earth.... And when the length of the day is almost as long as night... marks the start of Spring, a time of celebration of life and rebirth, the dawn of a new cycle of seasons."<br />
The equinox happens twice a year, and on March 20, 2012, the vernal equinox occurs and it marks the start of Spring at least for those living in the northern hemisphere. This is significant for most cultures around the world because it marks the start of the year and a new cycle of seasons, and holds spiritual meaning as well for some religions (It's not coincidence that Easter happens near the equinox).<br />
Here are the characters:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/6988988653/" title="Earth by revcruz, on Flickr"><img alt="Earth" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7208/6988988653_045e6dc015.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
My rendition of the Earth… a component graphic for an upcoming piece about the vernal equinox. Funny, how I channeled a Humpty Dumpty look into the character. I love his Equator belt!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/6842865678/" title="SunQueen by revcruz, on Flickr"><img alt="SunQueen" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7052/6842865678_a73ff6de22.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
My rendition of the Sun… a component graphic for an upcoming piece about the vernal equinox. Just looking at her makes me feel all warm inside<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/6988988985/" title="Day&Night by revcruz, on Flickr"><img alt="Day&Night" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7042/6988988985_392c9b9626.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
My rendition of Day and Night having a conversation… a component graphic for an upcoming piece about the vernal equinox. Mr. Night here remarks how he’s as tall as Ms. Day already is, and the lady just shyly agrees.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revcruz/6842865954/" title="Eostre by revcruz, on Flickr"><img alt="Eostre" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7182/6842865954_f3bd78061b.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
My rendition of the Eostre, the dawn goddess… a component graphic for an upcoming piece about the vernal equinox. Bunnies and cranes always makes me giddy.Rev Cruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039000541931797050noreply@blogger.com0