The Tale of Bai Chu the Bloodthirsty

Hundreds of years ago, there lived an infamous Commander General named Bai Chu. Bai Chu was feared by enemies and friends alike, for he was a fierce and ruthless leader, and he inspired the utmost dread in those who would oppose him. Incredibly ambitious, he hungered for power and plotted to take over the world with his army of fearless warriors. Tales of how Bai Chu would behead his foes and drink blood from their still-beating hearts were especially terrifying, and mothers would tell them to frighten disobedient children. “If you are bad, Bai Chu will come for you in the night!” they would caution a wide-eyed child.

One dark and stormy evening, in unexplored forested lands of Calinan after a bloody battle, Bai Chu lay restless in his tent. While devising plans to gain more strength and conquer more nations, he thought he heard mournful voices outside. Instantly alert, he quickly came out to investigate, and very soon he was lost in a huge forest where the very trees seemed to whisper in the wind. Suddenly, an old lady appeared in front of him.

“Help me, O great warrior, for I hunger so”, she croaked. Bai Chu scoffed and raised his weapon in anger! “Fool crone! Know you not who I am? I am Bai Chu the bloodthirsty, the long-lived, the mighty! I will put you out of your misery!” But before he could lower his weapon to take her head, the old woman vanished, the wind seemed to beat and howl, and in her place a beautiful diwata appeared. She spoke with the voice of the wind:

“O Bai Chu, in your arrogant pride you have become so small. From this day forth, I curse you to hunger, to be insignificant and ignored!

Bai Chu the bloodthirsty: I make you a blood drinker.

Bai Chu the long-lived: I make you immortal.

Bai Chu the mighty: I make you smaller than a tiny child’s plaything!

The spell shall only be broken when your heart becomes true. It is done!”

And that is how Bai Chu the Bloodthirsty became the cutest, smallest vampire to ever exist. He refers to everyone he meets as his Dark Minions. As he is too small to really drink a large human’s blood, he subsists on blood oranges, which he finds are surprisingly delicious. It is not uncommon to find blood oranges near him, with two tiny tell-tale teeth marks. Bai Chu is still quite fearless, and likes to run at his enemies ferociously screaming his own name: “Bai Chu! Bai Chu! Bai Chu!” From a distance, it sounds like a small voice is yelling “Biteyoubiteyoubiteyou!” from somewhere around your ankles.

Character Information:

Bai Chu: (Bite You)
Talisman: “I Hunger!”
Height: 5 1/2" inches
Material: Resin Body and Magnet
Edition Quantity: 35pcs

The miniscule vampire stands approximately 5 ½” tall (you may need to stoop down quite low to hear him shouting “Biteyoubiteyoubiteyou!”as he is very very small). He is cursed with a rigid resin body emulating the smooth vampiric skin of his kind, and a neodymium magnet that pulls him towards your refrigerator (an indignity Bai Chu will probably never forgive you for).

His magnetic restraining talisman with the words “I Hunger” written in beautiful Chinese calligraphy is removable, and you may need to reattach it should Bai Chu prove too much to handle!

Will you be Bai Chu's jailer, or his accomplice? Will you try to change his wicked ways, or help him achieve world domination? Whatever you choose, you better have some blood oranges ready before he comes home with you. Stay tuned for the mighty Bai Chu's announcement!

Changing Lanes

It's my great honor to be featured by a passionate group of young and talented creatives in LIEU Magazine's current issue! Read about it at http://www.lieumagazine.com/2014/06/issue-no-11-changing-lanes.html. Also featured are my fellow Davaoeño artists and my current favorite, Alleycat Tea House. Photography by Aidx Paredes.

Chigorin Counterattack

I've been drawing a lot of chess-inspired artworks lately. Here's the first of them and one of my favorite openings when playing black.

Chigorin Counterattack

9 x 12"

Pen and Ink, 2014

Ang Harana

Earlier this month, I got invited to take part in a show at Gallery Nucleus that opened last night. Entitled "Terra", it is a showcase of artworks inspired by nature. Below is my contribution:

"Ang Harana" (The Serenade)

8 x 10 inches

pen and ink, 2014

I've been wanting to take in their shows and I'm so happy that I finally got the chance. I was able to show this alongside artists whom I'm look up to for inspiration. You can check out all the artworks at Gallery Nucleus.

Mayari Dunny

I first learned about vinyl toys around 5 years ago. It was also then that I first participated in a comic convention and got to see them up close. I instantly fell in love with the Kidrobot Munny but battled myself from buying one. It was only a year after that I finally gave in when a friend of mine was willing to get one for me while I was stuck in the venue for the same event.

I've been customizing toys for three years now and it is still difficult for me because I don't have direct access to any stores that sell them. But thanks to my ever supportive friend Bella Sinclair, she buys them on my behalf and carries boxes after boxes of toys to the post office with her strong noodle arms.:D Really, I can't imagine my toy life without her.

The last box of toys that she sent was very different though. It was so surreal when I opened it as it contained the artist's proofs of Mayari Dunny. It is the special edition toy that I designed for Kidrobot. Yes, the same company that created the Munny. They asked me if I would like to work with them about a year after I created a chess set made of Dunnys. It was a dream come true given how much I enjoyed customizing their toys! 

There are two color variants of my design and will be available tomorrow, March 27th at 11am EST. Mayari Black is available at select retailers while Mayari Red is available exclusively at Kidrobot retail stores and www.kidrobot.com. Each Mayari Dunny retails for $14.99.

And they also have a product preview posted in their website HERE. Honestly, I still can't believe that they are now selling my design. I think I will still try to get Mayari red just to satisfy my toy obsession. I hope you do too!:)

WIP: Ang Harana

Diwata

So I was trying to make blogging a weekly thing. Unfortunately, I don't think I could ever commit to updating this space regularly. As promised, here's one of my recent pen and ink drawings that a friend asked me to do.

"Diwata"

30 x 15"

pen and ink, 2014

This is not the biggest pen and ink drawing I've done but it sure is the most intricate. I tried counting the lines but I stopped when I reached 1,023. There's no point when I knew I had to deal with over a trillion lines, countless hours and several cups of coffee just to bring my friend's two-year wait to a halt. Thanks to her for being equally patient that I was able to pull this off.

I wish I could put more close-ups of the details but there's just too many. Anyway, below are some early line art I posted over at instagram. You can follow me HERE if you wanna get updated with the things I do aside from pen and ink.

Yes, there is a smaller drawing!:)

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Mai and Ciara

Hi! I'm back to drawing in pen and ink again. I guess I've been too busy making toys that I forgot how fun drawing on paper is! I was surprised at how difficult it was to transition back from painting toys and putting those characters inside this intricate illustrations.

But I'm relieved to know that my wrist has fully recovered from CTS and I'm able to draw again without feeling any pain. Below is a whimsical portrait of a mother and daughter who enjoy both my toys and drawings. This one's for them, a Filipino-Chinese version of Mother and Child.

I'm also working on an exciting new project. Something that I didn't expect given where my focus was the past year. I'm posting some of its WIPs and sneak peeks over at instagram but if it's not your thing, check back next week for my most intricate drawing to date. 

Kwadro King

After a long and arduous journey, the four sisters were united with the kings whose hearts they captured.

KAI of the north kingdom was a ruthless and iron-fisted ruler.  Only two things could crack his callous exterior:  his beloved canary whose warbling could instantly turn him into a big, doting marshmallow, and Qortni's temper which made him tremble worse than jelly in a railroad car.  He enjoyed both.  Together, Kai and Qortni made a formidable royal couple.

KAVAN of the east kingdom was a debonair gentleman, full of charm and grace.  He made all the ladies in the kingdom swoon and bat their eyes.  Unfortunately for them, he only had eyes for Quilla whom he showered with gifts and affection.  One look from him, and she could feel her heart flutter like a thousand butterflies.  Kavan and Quilla were completely and utterly in love.

KENDL of the south kingdom was a benevolent and generous king.  Most of the time he was very jolly and cheerful -- except when Quiana beat him at games, which happened to be all the time.  Everyone in the kingdom regarded Kendl and Quiana as the lucky couple.

KINAH of the west kingdom was enormously wealthy, with rooms filled with gold and gems and all sort of trophies.  Whatever King Kinah desired, he got.  So it frustrated him to no end that the only thing he could not get was Quarta's satisfaction and approval.  She was always highly suspicious that whatever she did not have was actually better.  Kinah and Quarta were constantly craving for more.

New Print: Mother & Child

For those who missed my signed Mother and Child print sale, you now have the chance to get one! Just go to Society 6 via this link to take advantage of FREE shipping worldwide. This offer applies only to prints and is valid until January 13, 2013 at Midnight Pacific Time.

Kwadro Alas

Arjun, Aden, Ashur & Aubin

The four sisters became more and more beautiful with each passing day. As word of their beauty spread, kings from neighboring lands came to court the fair young maidens. And so it happened that each sister became betrothed to a king before her eighteenth birthday. When they became of age, the nobleman sent his daughters to the four corners of the land to live in their new kingdoms. He selected four of his bravest horsemen to accompany and protect them on their long journeys.

Kwadro Kwin

It has been written that ‘War is the trade of kings.’ But we all know that behind every great king, there lies an even more powerful queen. This is the story of four sisters who were each destined for royalty. They were the beautiful daughters of a wealthy nobleman who lived in the Center Valley. They spent their days playing spirited rounds of mahjong and betting against each other in lively, trash-talk-laden games of marbles.

QORTNI had a temper that was quick to flare and difficult to extinguish. Had there been anger management courses in her village, she would have flunked every one. She had a glare that could stop a snarling hyena and send it whimpering away.

QUILLA was an incurable romantic and masterful daydreamer. She could often be found chasing frightened woodland creatures in the hopes of singing with them.  To this day, that has not happened.  

QIANA smiled and skipped wherever she went.  Luck, it seemed, always seemed to follow her around like puppies eager to be noticed.  This annoyed her sisters greatly.

QUARTA wanted to have it all.   She liked to fill her pockets with baubles and gems, some of which were hers and some of which were not.  She also had the habit of licking every bonbon in the box so no one else would eat them. 

Sneaky Snow Ball

Together with UK-based artists whose works I admire, I will be showing two custom toys at Kidrobot London on November 30, 2012. Do check it out if you are in the area. This is guaranteed to be an awesome show! 

Cross My Heart and Hope to Die

Happy Halloween!

Lobita

My fellow artist Arturo C.E. asked me if I could do a portrait of his girlfriend. I wanted to take a break from drawing other people's faces but he told me that he's commissioning 25 artists to create 25 unique portraits for her 25th birthday. I don't know how anybody can turn this guy down since it's a great honor to  take part in creating such a sweet gift for a lovely young lady who definitely means the world to him.

ink and acrylic on paper

I also found this as an opportunity for another color painting exercise since he hinted that his girlfriend Ana loves the colors pink, purple, violet and my favorite black & white. When doing whimsical portraits, I always try to get to know the person I'm drawing. I ask for pictures that best show their personalities or significant details such as birth dates that I can include in the portrait.

They are both artists from Mexico and my main subject Ana is a web designer who goes by the handles Pipoca and Lobita. I will let the portrait tell you more about her but a little anime knowledge is necessary for you to really appreciate the details.:)

with digital color

If you're curious about the other portraits, Arturo uploaded this cool video documenting the creation of his gift. The music says it all. I also think this is the sweetest gift ever!;)

Best Munny

"PISCES"

Acrylic/Resin on 7" Munny

Best Munny was the award given by Kidrobot to my entry Pisces in the recently concluded Kidrobot Munnyworld Contest. As a huge fan of the munny, it feels great to have it chosen by the makers themselves. What's even more rewarding is to have it among amazing customs done by my fellow artists and friends! You can check out their awesomeness at the Kidrobot blog.:D

Must Love Manila

I've had the great privilege of representing my country for the Tiger Translate Global Showcase. Along with 20 other artists mostly from the Asian region, we were asked to draw what the word "streets" meant to us in the context of our cities. And here's how I envisioned the pulse and energy of the streets of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. 

"As always the Manila cityscape comes alive with its charming vibrance and delightful chaos. Never can you find streets overcrowded with an eclectic mix of culture and revelry like Manila. So when the sun sets beautifully by the bay, it means the party's just getting started."

"Must Love Manila"

50cm x 35cm, pen and ink

If you've ever been to Manila, then you might be able to identify with some of the elements and scenes in the drawing. I tried to put in as much as I could but even if I drew it on the streets, it still wouldn't be enough to capture its essence. I hope the following close ups give you a better feel of the city and somehow convince you to visit the Philippines.

 

click above images for larger view

With this drawing, Tiger Translate has chosen me as an artist in the running for Tiger Translate Fan Favourite. And with your help, I could be going to Mongolia to showcase my work and represent Manila. For the next two weeks I'll be actively promoting my work in my Facebook page where an online voting is being held. But as early as now, you can express your support by voting for my piece at www.tigertranslate.com/fanfavourite. I'm hoping to get your support. Thank  you!:D

Revenge of the Wolves

The rumbling in her babies' tummies is too much for Lyca to bear.  It has been days since they've last eaten, not since her husband was viciously killed while foraging for food.  Every night, Lyca and her little ones visit the bluffs where she and her husband first fell in love.  There, she wails for their loss and longingly calls out for him in the vast emptiness.  But the only sound that answers is the echo of her cubs' whimpers and the growling of their tummies.  

She must snap out of her grief and feed her starving babies.  With a mother's instincts and a widow's vindictiveness, Lyca vows to avenge her husband's murder.  She already got rid of the lumberjack.  All she has to do now is devise a plan to get that rabbit Lago once and for all.

This series is a collaboration between me and my little sister. I did the design and customizing while she did the great task of sewing the clothes and making them fit. Full reveals of the toys, including an 8" Lago, will be posted at www.bjornik.bigcartel.com starting Friday. And they'll be available for purchase on the 24th at around 9pm EST.  If you have any questions or if you are interested in future releases, feel free to email me.

WIP: Red

I'm slowly regaining my confidence with the brush. Thanks to my fellow toy lovers, I've been painting incessantly with custom toys for the past month. And here's a sneak peek of my latest project that I posted in my facebook page last week. There will be no definite release date yet but this is something you should watch out for. 

By the way, the Herzensbrecher show is probably kicking off right this very moment. I'm very thrilled to be in the same show with the people I look up to for inspiration. If you're interested in my pieces or just curious to see how other artists' pieces look like, you can check them out at Strychnin Gallery.:)

Herzensbrecher

I was invited to take part in an exciting project that will be happening in Berlin two weeks from now. Herzensbrecher, the charity show organized by Strychnin Gallery in collaboration with porcelain company The New English,  features a group of contemporary artists and designers. The main goal is to raise money for the hugely important organization ‘Ein Herz Für Kinder’.

Each artist were given one handmade heart for them to customize. But in a big event like this, confusion may arise. Like my case where I received these two hearts.

"Malaya"

approximately 10" tall

acrylic on bone china

These might have been the most challenging for me to customize. When I received their invitation, I prepared myself for the great task of designing a simple heart. You know, the shape we always draw.haha Yes, I am really that shallow.:P So you can just imagine my shock when I saw anatomical hearts. But like every other project, no matter how simple or difficult, I put my heart into this.

"Maligalig"

approximately 10" tall

acrylic on bone china

I initially planned to add clay for the flowers but decided to paint them instead. I didn't want to take the risk of drilling and breaking these handmade hearts. But I still "broke" them and exposed these beautiful ladies inside.;) Here are more pictures to show how challenging these hearts are to paint on. If you're going to be in Berlin on the 16th, please drop by the show and see how big the participating artists' hearts are. Enjoy!