Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
1. Understanding the Connection Between Art and Spirituality
2. Exploring Different Artistic Mediums
3. Creating a Sacred Space for Artistic Practice
4. Engaging in Artistic Practices
5. Seeking Inspiration from Spiritual Traditions
6. Sharing Your Creative Expression
7. Reflecting on Your Artistic Journey
Embracing your inner artist is like adding a sprinkle of fairy dust to your spirituality. By unleashing your creative genius, you're becoming a spiritual superhero. So, put on your metaphorical cape and let your artistic endeavors guide you through the epic quest of self-discovery and spiritual growth. It's like Picasso meets Yoda, and you're the Jedi master of your creativity!
"Explore the captivating world of Ted Visaya's acrylic paintings, where abstract art meets imaginative expression. On this page, you can discover a collection of art paintings that showcase the artist's unique style and creative journey. Immerse yourself in a vibrant display of abstract art paintings that capture the essence of the Honolulu Arts District's spiritual energy. Ted Visaya's self-taught techniques and freestyling approach to acrylic painting invite viewers to experience art that stimulates imagination and critical thinking."
I've always had a thing for art, but it wasn't until I retired that I decided to take the plunge into painting. Back in the day, I dabbled in a few painting and drawing classes at community colleges, but it was always a short-term fling. During my working years, I was all about computer graphics because, let's face it, art wasn't paying the bills. But now that I'm living in the Honolulu Arts District, surrounded by vibrant murals and a seriously artsy vibe, I've finally found my true calling in painting. The community's spiritual, artistic energy is contagious, and it's got me feeling inspired and ready to contribute my creative flair. Who knew retirement could be this much fun?
Being an artist at heart and a designer by trade, there is a clear distinction between the two roles. Artistic creation involves making aesthetically pleasing pieces while working as a designer, which consists of producing drawings that effectively communicate specific messages to the viewer. The difference between art and design is evident in the realm of engineering graphics, where creating engineering documents as a CAD specialist is a scientific process. Engineering design is about precise communication, whereas art is a personal expression.
I'm always exploring new ideas in my art, drawing inspiration from abstract painting, pop culture, and contemporary art. Abstract painting lets me be creative and think deeply, while pop art adds a fun and playful element to my work. I aim to bring these qualities and influences to the people who see my art and have fun with them. I'm always looking to create something fresh, unique, and thought-provoking and to share it with everyone. When I finish a piece, it's a unique mix utterly different from where I began.
What do I mean by this? Here’s an example, remember the Star Trek series on television back in the 60s? In the series, they used communicators to contact each other. It was a handheld device they flipped open to talking into. That example inspired young engineers to create the smartphone we use today. The writers back then had no idea what the future would look like. The writers are the creative artists, and the handheld communicator they conjured up is metaphorically the raw expression. That natural expression today is the smartphone.
I want to create art to inspire imagination. Like Albert Einstein once said, "Logic will take from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere."
So how can you create art that inspires out-of-box thinking yet be your style? What kind of message do you want to project to the viewer? I think the answer is too abstract subjectivity in your art. It may sound oxymoronic, but I believe capturing your raw expression means conjuring up your subject matter in a metaphysical way. Transcend your creativity to another level and design what feels right in your heart. Create art that mirrors your personality of you as the artist. A plan that stimulates the imagination and promotes the critical thought process.
Raw expression, just like Star Trek, is to go where no one has gone before, hahaha. And have fun, of course, doing it.
Have you ever wondered how many stories you can paint into a picture? As an Art Communicator, the possibilities are endless! Are you up for capturing a mythological tale or documenting a historical event? Or you want to make a bold statement with your art. Whatever story you want to tell, let's bring it to life on the canvas!
Fascinated with the Hawaiian culture and living on the Aina, I like to "talk story" about this lifestyle in my art. Living in this environment makes it easy to capture subject matter to paint about. Thinking about a story theme can make it easy to initiate a painting when you experience painter's block (taken after the phenomena of writer's block).
Tell a story with art and give the viewer an imaginary environment to explore.
I often say that Design is not artistic. What I mean by that is that Design is responsible for the building structure of the Artwork. Design is the construction tool that shapes an artist's unique style and technique. This comes from a guy who has worked as a Technical Designer for 40 years in Silicon Valley.
As a noun, Design is the building structure of art development.
As a verb, Design is the construction of styles and techniques.
Design is the innovative system that defines an artist. It's what ties everything together. For instance, the Design of the painting shows the structure with blocks of images. The artist then uses techniques to add colors and shapes within these blocks, creating a unique style of Art. Throughout, it's the Design that guides and shapes the process.
The initiation phase is the most exhilarating and challenging part of the design process. It is where the artist's vision starts taking shape, and the canvas comes alive with the initial strokes of Design, ultimately leading to the creation of Art.
Albert Einstein once said, "Imagination is intelligence having fun." In addition, I say, "Creativity is the ART of life."
Imagination can manifest into limitless possibilities. It is the birthplace of innovation, the realm where dreams take shape and reality bends to the whims of creativity. In every stroke of a paintbrush, every line of a poem, and every note of a song lies the potential to transport us to unseen worlds and evoke untapped emotions. So, as an artist, create something that challenges and inspires. Your work should not merely be observed but experienced, inviting viewers to delve into their own critical imagination. Let them decipher your art in their own way, finding personal meaning and connection. This dialogue between the creator and the audience fosters a shared journey of discovery that celebrates the diversity of human thought and perception. By engaging the mind and the soul, art becomes more than a visual or auditory experience; it becomes a catalyst for growth, understanding, and transformation. Embrace the power of your imagination and share it boldly, for in doing so, you ignite the spark of possibility in others.
Explore the captivating digital art and design journey of Teodoro (Ted) Visaya, where precision and creativity come together. Ted expertly merges Computer-Aided Design (CAD) with his rich Filipino American heritage and Silicon Valley experiences to produce unique and inspiring artwork. Delve into his compelling portfolio, featuring intricate digital designs and vibrant cultural pieces, and discover his innovative layering techniques. Witness the seamless combination of technical skill and artistic expression that defines Ted’s work, making his digital art visually striking and culturally significant.
#Keywords: digital art, CAD techniques, Filipino American culture, Silicon Valley, digital design, artistic expression, layering techniques.
Throughout elementary school, I had a habit of doodling on various surfaces, which often got me into trouble. However, this habit inadvertently improved my hand-eye coordination and sparked my interest in realistic drawing. After high school, I pursued a career in the US Navy as a jet mechanic, but I quickly realized it wasn't the right fit. Despite excelling on advancement tests and reaching the rank of E5 within three years, I knew I needed to find a different career path.
I came across a jet engine assembly book in the Navy filled with illustrated parts breakdowns. I became fascinated by the drawings, knowing I could draw them. I enrolled in drafting classes at the community college and eventually secured a job as a drafter in Silicon Valley in the early 1980s. In my experience, integrating artistic elements into mechanical engineering drawings was impractical. Consequently, I had to shift my focus to engineering graphics communications and set aside my artistic ambitions to keep my job.
My journey into digital design began with the use of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software. Adapting to the transition from pencil drafting to computer-aided drawing took some time, but it opened up new possibilities that I had not yet considered.
I used to struggle to see engineering drawings as more than technical documents. However, I eventually came to appreciate the creativity in logic diagrams, schematics, and assembly drawings as disciplined forms of graphic communication. In fact, creating logically efficient engineering graphics is an art form in itself. It may sound geeky, but interestingly, everything man-made around us was likely created using a picture or drawing to show someone how to make that thing. So the art was in how well you can communicate the engineering within the document.
. "So with every manufactured thing I see, I imagine drawings morphically emerging from them." I was conditioned to look at design as an engineering communication structure. There was nothing aesthetically artistic about it.
Haley Joel Osment from the movie "The Sixth Sense" (1999) when he mentions "I see dead people."
I've been proficient in computer literacy for over four decades. It never occurred to me that my extensive experience with programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, and various engineering CAD software could be used for creating personal artwork. My familiarity with these programs allowed me to experiment and explore new design styles and techniques beyond my regular work.
Exploring digital art after years of professional work is like a musician retiring from performing and discovering a newfound passion for composing their own music. Both scenarios represent a beautiful transition from professional expertise to personal creativity and self-expression.
The potential for where this passion could lead me knows no bounds, and I'm thrilled to discover just how far I can go.
Go to my Pinterest page to view samples of my work.
Artwork overlay layering is a crucial technique I utilize in digital art. Through self-teaching painting skills and employing a methodical approach to layering, I've gained a deep appreciation for the layering functionality in most digital art and computer-aided design (CAD) programs.
When you shape and combine pieces, you gain the freedom to create more quickly. Instead of confining yourself to drawing on a single layer, imagine working on multiple pieces of paper. By using multiple layers, you can methodically organize your work and confidently achieve your desired results.
In the layer column example, each individual piece of artwork is assigned its own layer. This approach enables you to adjust the position of each piece of artwork relative to others, move them forward or backward, and customize them to achieve the exact results you want.
Without creating digital graphics for work anymore, I found myself searching for a new direction to channel and test my digital design skills. As a result, I was inspired to combine digital design with my ethnic background and delve into the rich cultural history of Filipino-American and Hawaiian Kama'aina cultures that I identify with.
These collections of graphics and stories are a direct result of those endeavors.
As I gazed out at the vast open fields of Silicon Valley's Golden Triangle, I couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia. The wild mustard plants that once flourished in these fields grew rampant, swaying in the gentle breeze like a joyful dance. It was here, amidst this breathtaking scenery, that I spent my childhood days running and playing with my friends. But now, the landscape has transformed beyond recognition, with towering tech companies and luxurious hotels replacing the once-peaceful fields. The area, nestled between highways 101, 880, and Interstate 237, has become a bustling hub of commercial activity, a far cry from the idyllic playground of my childhood.
Ah, the early 60s - a time when the world was different and full of life. It was a time when these plants grew everywhere before the towering tech companies took over. I still remember seeing Italian people picking these plants, and it reminded me of a similar plant that grew wildly back in my home countryside. The Italians were the first to teach us the intricate techniques of harvesting these delectable mustard greens, with their vibrant green leaves and crisp texture. Over time, the Asians quickly caught on and learned to expertly pluck and prepare these greens, unlocking their full potential and creating dishes that are a true delight for the senses.
As you venture through Silicon Valley, keep an eye out for the mustard plants scattered throughout the area. These hardy plants can flourish in unexpected places, like the pavement crevices or the unattended spaces between buildings. What's truly remarkable is that these mustard plants are native to this region and have been thriving here for many years, even before the tech industry arrived and transformed the landscape.
Spiritually, Lady Bugs are a symbol of GOOD LUCK. Much like finding a four leafed clover. They indicate coming SUCCESS.
---------
My dad loved ladybugs and let them be. These were natural predators of the aphids—a bug that would infest the rose bushes my dad grew for my mom. My dad said these bugs are good luck and not to kill them. I thought they were unique, like something out of a Transformers movie with a double set of wings. At flight, the red-and-black dotted cover would lift, and long wings would sprout. I was amazed at how well the wings were concealed.
Ladybugs lay their eggs directly in aphid colonies to ensure their larvae have an immediate food source; how excellent! They’re like transformers, and body snatchers rolled up in one.
At our home in Silicon Valley, my dad used to grow vegetables in the backyard. I believe he must have loved to grow vegetables and fruit trees from working as a farmhand in Hawaii and California. He would grow bitter melon, string beans, eggplants, tomatoes, tabungaw and upo squash, and other varieties every year. Back then, they didn’t have Asian supermarkets. Many vegetables for Filipino dishes were unavailable, so they grew their own and traded with other friends and relatives.
The Tomato Monster
I have fond memories of these tomato hornworms. They were the baddest creatures in the backyard garden; no one messed with them. I would collect them and save them in a jar for caterpillar gladiator fights. I would put a black hairy caterpillar in the pot, and the hornworm would always win. These tomato monsters can grow to a massive four inches long before they turn into a dull giant brown moth.
Calrose was initially used for the medium-grain japonica rice experimentally cultivated in California. Calrose was developed at the Rice Experiment Station near the city of Biggs and released to California growers in 1948.
In Hawaii, they call this rice the sticky rice, preferred by Hawaiian locals. The sticky characteristics of this rice make it easier to shape foods, like musubi and different types of sushi.
I prefer this rice over other brands just for its taste. I was raised on Calrose rice, and it was the only rice my parents bought.
As homemakers back in the ’50s and ’60s, my mom and aunties were very resourceful—not wasting anything that could be reused as something else. The rice sack was one of those items.
My mom would cut the sack into squares or rectangles, overlap the edges, and sew them together to make kitchen towels. Back then, those rice sacks were made from 100 percent cotton and were pretty soft after washing a few items.
When visiting Filipino friends and relatives, I saw these rice sack towels hanging from the drawer cabinets in the kitchen. I wish I had saved one of them. I would’ve framed it and hung it on the wall as a novelty item to remind me of our mother’s resourcefulness.