Before and After

May 30, 2013
Thursday after the Senior Awards Ceremony
Beef 'n Buns 'n Paradise in Frederick, MD

Before


and after

photo source . ©Copyright Jay Divinagracia

The First Time Oil Painter

On the last day of Yna's senior year, she brought home a ceiling tile. Mr. Heller, her Creative Writing teacher helped her carry it to the car. I had no idea what she would do with it. Then she told me she's going to paint her Physics teacher, Mr. Walz.

She originally wanted to use acrylic paints, but we didn't have enough for her to use; we only had enough oil paints. When she asked me whether it was worth buying more acrylics or just using the oil paints, I told her I hadn't used these mediums before. I am most comfortable with watercolor. That was why. But just the same, I suggested to use oil. Good thing, our friend Jenni left all her painting supplies when they moved to Miami a few years ago from Virginia.

She first painted a base coat on the porous surface. She also tried to pile the rough surface with a semi-fine grain sandpaper, but she eventually gave up on that and let the rest of the tile be.


She stopped working on the project due to graduation practices, the senior awarding, and the ceremony itself.

Last Tuesday, I let her work inside the house since she attracts mosquitoes. It was important that she had to read the labels since she could not get any information from me. She even asked if she needed to use water. Oh no!

I remembered from my college dorm roommate, Scarthz that instead of water, you have to use Linseed Oil when oil painting. So on that afternoon, I drove to Jo Ann's with my 50% off coupon and looked for the oil.




Is it looking like her teacher?


Last night...
She: Ma, It's done!
Me: Done kay gikapoy na ka or na satisfied ka sa imong work? (Done because you are tired already or you're satisfied with your work?)
She: The second! Satisfied ko! (I am satisfied!)
Me: Very good!

On Friday noon


It's time to deliver the artwork.


We waited for awhile since he was out to lunch when we got there.


When the teacher came back from break, Yna also gave him this handmade card.


Did you think he liked it?


I think, he did!

Her science teacher, Mr. Walz didn't know what Yna wanted to paint. She just asked for one ceiling tile to take home and took his photo on the last day of Yna's high school career.


Until here. Have a happy weekend. I know we will.

The Lilies

I have not been in the backyard since after the storm the other night. This was what I saw this morning. Most of my lilies are down. There used to be more of them in this part of the backyard but I transferred most of them to the other side of the fence. 

I think I cut about a dozen of them this morning. I arranged some in this vintage yellow vase which was a gift from my friend Nancy last month. She said, when she saw it, she knew I'd love it.
...and yes, I do!

I wanted to wait for my sunflowers for this vase but I just can't wait to use it. I think my lilies are also perfect for it.

I also had extra flowers for another arrangement that I put in an empty beer bottle with a very interesting name and graphic.


My hydrangeas are also in full bloom this time so I also used a few flowers in an arrangement I made for our dining table last week. The vase I used was an empty bottle of Pei Pa Koa (a Chinese syrup medication for sore throat).


Until here. Tatah!