Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Naked Ballerina 2016

Title:  Naked Ballerina 2016
Size: 16x16 inches
Medium:  Acrylic on Canvas
Artist: betsisanders 2016
Title: Naked Ballerina 2012
Size:  5x7 inches
 Medium:  Acrylic
Artist:  betsisanders 2012
***
The Naked Ballerina (5x7 inches) was painted on August 2012 and is now in a friend's house in Tagaytay. I painted it on a night when I was in pain and I wrote back then... Instead of sulking, I sketched, drew and painted, took an extra dose of pain meds and placed an ice bag on top of my head. This was the outcome of time well spent ... a simple art work given to a friend who displayed this in his farm's beautiful home. When a friend accepts and displays my art, it warms my heart, puts a big smile on my face and feels like I've been paid "millions". (betsisanders 2012)
The other Naked Ballerina (16x16 inches) was done this evening as I waited for the HubB to come home from the airport. Had a pain-free, fulfilling, creative and peaceful evening. I hope my nights will always be like this... betsisanders 2016


Monday, March 14, 2016

... if an old girl is quiet ...

Title:  If an old girl is quiet
Size:  5x7 inches
Medium:  Acrylic on Canvas
Artist:  betsisanders 2016

... if an old girl is quiet, she's either reading, writing,
painting or praying.  Take care everyone.
Let's pray for each other.


Thursday, March 10, 2016

My "cheery" Cherry Blossoms 2016

Title:  My "cheery" Cherry Blossoms 2016
Size:  5x7 inches
Medium:  Acrylic on Canvas
Artist:  betsisanders

  • During our trip to Seoul, a couple of years back, we chanced upon seeing cherry blossoms in full bloom and the festival was moved a week early.  The Flower Sermon
    “One day the Buddha silently held up a flower. This was the famous “Flower Sermon.” In the story, Śākyamuni gives a wordless sermon to his disciples (sangha) by holding up a white flower. No one in the audience understood the Flower Sermon except Mahākāśyapa, who smiled. The Flower Sermon signifies the direct transmission of wisdom without words.        “Pick up flower … subtle smile.” 

  • 💛 💛 💛 🌸🌸🌸🌼🌼🌼

Flowers 2016

Title:  Flowers 2016
Size: 5x7 inches
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Artist: betsisanders 

  •  💛 💛 💛 🌸🌸🌸🌼🌼🌼
    The Flower Sermon
    One day the Buddha silently held up a flower. This was the famous “Flower Sermon.” In the story, Śākyamuni gives a wordless sermon to his disciples (sangha) by holding up a white flower. No one in the audience understood the Flower Sermon except Mahākāśyapa, who smiled. The Flower Sermon signifies the direct transmission of wisdom without words. 
    "Pick up flower, subtle smile."

Tuesday, March 08, 2016

Two "Ducks" 2016

Title: Two "Ducks"
Size: 5x7 inches
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Artist: betsisanders

Early this morning, I watched a video of two male swans that got stuck together while probably fighting for territory and how two photographers helped untangle the swans. These swan fights usually end in tragedy, when these male swans end up biting each other.
But what I noticed was how each swan walked in different or opposite directions and flapped their wings vigorously. I remember writing about how ducks who get into fights would separate and float in opposite directions,then flap their wings vigorously, as if releasing pent up anger left during the fight and walk away as if nothing happened.
May I quote:
"When two ducks get into a fight, which never lasts long, they will separate and float off in opposite directions. Then each duck will flap its wings vigorously a few times, thus releasing the surplus energy that built up during the fight. After they flap their wings, they float on peacefully, as if nothing happened." (Taken from the Power of Now)

I often write this quotation on my blog when I post paintings of swans, who aren't really ducks, but I still refer to these beautiful creatures as "ducks'. The "ducks" represent me and people/ friends who have become my frenemies. I used to tell myself to think and act like a duck after a fight, a misunderstanding or a "falling out" of friendship. Going on opposite paths and "flapping of wings" are easy to do. But floating away as if nothing happened is difficult. Being at peace, forgetting or forgiving is even harder.

I end the blogpost with these few words ...Let us be like "ducks"... flap our wings and fly in opposite directions to be at peace. Be quiet, be still, be alone... and heal. (betsisanders)
Click on the link below to watch the video.

Here are my other Two "Ducks"  paintings.


***

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

I love February

I love February...
not just because it's my birth month,
or my alma mater's foundation day
or it's Chinese New Year,
or it's Valentine's ... but because I get to
see a lot of balikbayan friends and relatives.
First get together for balikbayan friends at Tipsy Pig
http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2016/02/tipsy-pig-capitol-commons.html
***
Second meet up with a balikbayan sister in law
at XO 46, Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons
http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2016/02/xo-46-estancia-mall-capitol-commons.html
***

Monthly lunch after mass with my First Saturday
Mass Prayer Group at Italianni's and also
my birthday treat for my dear old friends. 
http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2016/02/italiannis-eastwood-mall-with-my-first.html
***
Chinese New Year & Pre-birthday Lunch at Matam-ih
with the Sanders Clan.
http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2016/02/matam-ih-fontana-cake-shop-clarkpampanga.html
***
Spent my birthday with my two boys in Eastwood.
Decors in Eastwood were for Chinese New Year
and Valentine's Day.  If they knew it was my birthday
... wala lang. hahaha! Asa ka pa !!! 

HubB gave me flowers...
since prices of roses haven't gone up just yet.
Hmmmm ... thank you soooo much !
  
We had early dinner at .... Italianni's, where else?
http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2016/02/my-birthday-2016.html
***
Dr Angge aka Tita Angel was also in town for
our alma mater's foundation day celebrations.
She met up with me the night before she flew back
to Malaysia.  She always makes time and spends time
with me.  I really appreciate that a lot!
Thanks for the pasalubong from Ikea too!

http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2016/02/dinner-at-shinjuku-with-dear-friend.html
***
Two more balikbayans were here ... Susan and Weng.
We met up with them at Sentro 1771, Capitol Commons.
Drs. Joy, Tess & Alex (also balikbayans) joined us
for merienda cena.  I love getting together with
friends from UP Diliman.


My first two years of college at the University of the
Philippines were the happiest, most fun and care free
time of my life.

http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2016/02/up-pre-dental-association-at-sentro.html
***
With Wennie and Swanee for a quick lunch.
http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2016/02/quick-lunch-at-kuya-j.html
***
Valentine's Day celebration and despedida for my
sister in law with the Sanders clan.
http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2016/02/impromptu-despedida-merienda-with-lots.html



Thanks for all the birthday greetings and
for all your gifts.
But most specially ...
Thank you to all those who shared their precious time
with me and with our balikbayan friends.
Thank you for replying to my texts,
FB messages, Viber calls ..
you all know how kulit I can get whenever
I organize these dinners or parties.
See you all next year!
***


Thursday, February 04, 2016

UP Pre-Dental Association's Get Together at Tipsy Pig

UP Pre-Dental Get Together at Tipsy Pig
LtoR: Watty Babbette Cookie Betsi Tess
Alan Ditdit Roy Ding Ranny
We are always early!
That's the loving couple Ditdit & Roy.
Thanks Alan for bringing me home and figuring out
how to open our small gate. I have pala a key to
the small gate!!! Hmmm... I really felt sooooo old!
***
Aren't we lovely?
***
It's always good to see you Tess!!!
With Her Excellency Madam Cookie Feria.
***
That's Alvin... my super reliable, always available,
most helpful anak. Oh.. I only have one anak.
Thanks for bringing Mom to Tipsy Pig.
***
I am really blessed to be born in February.
Most balikbayans come home 
during this timeof the year.
So ... I see a lot of them and get to 
"celebrate my birthday" (sort of) during these reunions.
Alam mo naman ang Pinoy, basta may balikbayan
magexert ng effort to be present. 
Pero kung birthday-birthday lang, busy-busyhan.
Hee hee hee
See you next year!!!