MIA, LUMA AND MAGAZINE STRIPS

The perfect home is a refuge filled with mementos from foreign and domestic travels and furniture with timeless appeal.

Growing up down south, mom’s pick of homeware was inspired by the enigmatic and work of such great weavers – the Yakans and the Subanons. Not much like Ernest Hemingway, our home is filled with old wooden carved saints from travels, including ceramics and clay tea sets from my grandparents; a coral headstone from Santa Cruz, a blow pipe from Java, Buddha heads in different sizes and art picked up en route to Ubud in Bali.

When it comes to furniture, mom likes it understated but cozy.

Right across the pond, the opening of Artextural last year just gave Angelenos and Filipinos in the west coast an excuse to linger a little longer in the sun-soaked city.


(ARTEXTURAL finally at RONROBINSON | Fred Segal Santa Monica.)

No, I’m not talking about that huge and tacky HOLLYWOOD sign. I’m talking about the real crowd-pleaser that will soon be available at ARTEXTURAL.

Synonymous with quality and artisanship, Mindanao Inspires’ line are upcycled from recycled materials gathered from various communities and are 100% hand-made by women living in different areas of Southern Philippines.


(Upcycled Home Accessories by Mindanao Inspires)

Scrap gold foil, plastic and magazine strips, naturally-dyed yarn – Mia Dragon Floirendo, the woman behind Mindanao Inspires succeeds at making sustainable and eco-friendly look incredibly chic.

Pouring her energy into conservation efforts, she has also partnered with Maej Villanueva, and adopted a whole village in the island as recipient of a comprehensive livelihood program.


(Colorful magazine Paper and Thread Place Mats)

While we should all probably try to live our lives in a sustainable fashion year-round, her line serves as a welcome reminder to do so.

Mindanao Inspires just added up to Artextural’s complete new retail experience. And yes, I’m still eyeing on those blue and red nautical themed crochet pillows.

ARTEXTURAL SHOWROOM
910 S. Los Angeles Street, Suite 702
Los Angeles, CA 90015

COLOR BLOCK

DRAWN TO PACITA

Discovering Pacita Abad ( A gift from Basco, Batanes), Graphic appeal – superpowers I used to have my therapist took away. I’m drawn! Her work’s totally offbeat and also very calm ( an exuberant combination of circles and stripes). Thank you Pup for the books you got me.

FLOWER POWER

I love a good purchase. Very few things fill me such ecstatic joy than seeing a pair of beautifully made socks from Paul Smith (Thank you guys for the friendly discount). Yesterday, I almost wet my briefs with excitement.(haha)

Socks: Paul Smith
Shoes: my 2 year old Carbon work shoes

ART SCENE

Regatta
14X17 OIL ON CANVAS
by: Raul Ramon Lopez-Vito Bucoy II

The Regatta de Zamboanga is a boat race intended to present to the world the beauty of the vinta. The sails and hulls, often along with the participants, are clad in bright and colorful outfits, which complement the party like atmosphere.

The vinta ( locally known as lepa-lepa or sakayan) is a traditional boat found in the Philippine island of Mindanao. These boats are made by Bajao lining in the Sulu Archipelago. It has a sail with assorted vertical colors that represents the colorful culture and history of the Muslim community. These boats are used for inter-island transport of people and goods. Zamboanga City is known for these vessels

My paintings depict the colorful culture in southern Philippines. I’m very pleased with how things are going and I really enjoyed exploring all the patterns and subtle color shifts. I will definitely be doing larger ones and maybe even some more square ones this year - while they do take a long time, the end result is amazing. I have to be careful not to get lost in the patterns and remember to step back and make sure it’s working from a distance too. It’s easy to get lost in making beautiful shapes