ARTISTIC WHALES

We owe it to our children to be better stewards of the environment. The alternative? - a world without whales. It's too terrible to imagine. Pierce Brosnan

A WORLD WITHOUT WHALES: According to Pierce Brosnan....."its terrible to imagine a world without whale." I do agree with him. I like to watch whales doing their playful things but I am against their gruesome ways...... like eating people & coloring the sea RED. Should I condemn the whales? Well...of course not. I do like to eat whales too. I am not sure if whales or sharks are the same species. I know they are both gigantic ocean mammals. Anyway, I loved the delicious & exotic "Shark Fin " soup they served at Chinese Restos. I don't know how to make it so when I crave this soup, it's time to go to our favorite Chinese resto. It's their priciest soup because it's hard to get.

Here's a bit info about this soup from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Shark's fin soup is a Chinese soup that has been a popular item of Chinese cuisine since the Ming Dynasty, usually served at special occasions such as weddings and banquets,]or as a luxury item in Chinese culture.
There is controversy over the practice of shark finning which is used to source the signature ingredient for the soup. Consumption of shark fin soup has risen dramatically with the middle class becoming more affluent. Animal rights activists and environmentalists have called the practice brutal, and it is also named as a primary contributing factor in the global decline of many shark species.
China's growing economy has resulted in a large increase in demand for shark fins.[ This increase in demand combined with the importance of this top predator in the ocean, has the potential to significantly alter oceanic ecosystems.
ALTERNATIVE TO KILLING WHALES? Making artistic sculptures of them. Why not? Yes, it's a creative alternative. Look at the above whale. I spotted this sculptural whale during our trip to Halifax, Nova Scotia during the summer of 2009. Along the cruise port, they were displayed along the way..... for walkers, joggers & visitors to enjoy. This is one of those beautifully painted whale scuplture.

RHOD WITH LAZY WHALE: Another view of the same whale sculpture from above.

BLUE & PINK WHALE: Happy colors! Happy painted whales! Happy jumping! Happy day! What are we going to do without whales? Think about it!!!!!!

ARTISTIC LOBSTER

"Rather than worry about foods to avoid, I think of everything I can eat - lobster, mussels, crab, tomatoes." - by Sarah Beeny LOBSTER SCULPTURE: During a summer trip in 2009 to Halifax, Nova Scotia, my husband & I caught sight of this lovely lobster sculpture while walking leisurely along the cruise ship port. I had never seen something as big & beautiful like this before. It was a very colorful, fascinating and interesting lobster artwork.

FAVORITE SEAFOOD: I like all of the above listed seafood by Sarah but my favorite is lobster. It's very delicious but quite expensive. Somehow I always find good ways to satisfy my cravings for this lovely pinkish creature. Whenever I see a Miss Lobster around, I am reminded of the many happy memories I spent w/ her kind of creature Here are some occassions that I had happily spent w/ Miss Lobster & company:

1. My first good memory about lobster was during a family vacation to Maui, Hawaii many.many years ago. During our last night in Maui, my husband & I splurged on a clambake dinner at the Westin Resort w/ out the kids. They stayed behind at the condo & had pizza for dinner. We enjoyed an excellent clambake lobsters plus all the trimmings and........ a big prize tag later on. But the happy memories of that dinner lingered long after and so there was no regret as the years went by.

2.Whenever my husband & I went cruising (10 cruises so far), we always look forward to the special nights when the chefs & kitchen staffs will be serving lobsters. Usually lobster & steaks were served during formal nights. We could asked for seconds if we wanted too. We were spoiled & pampered w/ lobster dinner during many cruises. One of the best rewards of cruising.

3.When my husband was still working for L-3 Communications, I always tagged along during company trips & conferences. Some of my best memories were those welcome & farewell night dinners at the Longboat Key Resort in Florida, where I had attended four times. Spouses were included and I never refused. These were some of the company perks that's unforgettable. During those memorable dinners, they served huge grilled lobster w/ steak. All you can eat. Yum..yummm.....!!! No wonder, I got home from those conferences w/ added pounds.

4. During our 25th wedding anniversary at the NBC Resturant in China Town, Monterey Park, we picked a banquet menu w/ lobster dish included. Many of the best lobster dishes that I tasted were from many great Chinese restaurants. They cooked it differently and very palatable. The heavenly taste lingered long after the special event was over.

5. Whenever I go shopping at Costco and I see those huge lobsters for sale at $17.99/ pound, I am reminded of a simple neighborhood get-togeher lobster dinner at The Oaks, Sta Clarita, where we once lived. I vividly remember one memorial week-end when our neighbors decided to have a clambake dinner at Dr. Larry's driveway next to our house. All of us bought fresh lobsters for each member of our families. Dr. Larry was divorced and a psychologist but volunteered to share his huge pot for boiling the lobsters. What a sight to see those live lobsters jumping & struggling on top of the boiling water! When cooked they had a reddish color. We also decorated the long tables beautifully & ate together w/ friendly neighbors. Along w/ the lobsters we feasted on store bought bread, boiled corn splashed w/ butter, grilled potatoes & yummy ice cream. Five neighboer w/ their families pitched in w/ the cooking & clean up. We had so much fun with our simple neighbor get-together that it was worth the splurge and work.

Yes, lobsters are pricey but with all these wonderful memories, I think they are worth spending for. If I will be rich, I'll buy a lobster sculpture to be placed on my garden by the kitchen. The lobster will inspire me to paint more. Why not?

NEW YEAR'S EVE PAINTING

"Forgetting what is behind..... I press on toward the goal to....which God has called me."- ( Phil. 3:13)

I am reposting my New Year's Eve article from last year. Many of you have not seen it and here's another chance for those who missed it. This year 2009 is a very challenging year. I started editing my autobiography this year and worked on about a dozen paintings but didn't fiinh them.

With my husband's sudden early retirement, we packed up our things in the storage and decided to move to the beautiful city of San Diego. On 2010, after our trip to the Philippines on February and Asian cruise on March, hopefully I will be able to pursue my art goals which was on hold for many months now.

NEW BEGINNING The old year 2008 was a good year for me. An extremely busy artistic year. I am very happy to have accomplished my first solo art show last September 27, 2008. This new year 2009,I will try to complete my "Studio 65." Getting there will make this another challenging year. I will be focusing more on my art goal and may not have lots of time to blog and and visit other blogs.

TITLE: "NEW YEAR'S EVE AND NEW BEGINNING"
MEDIUM: OIL ON CANVAS
SIZE: $8" X 30"
DESCRIPTION: (PAINTED IN 2008)
Another oil painting from my solo art show last year. Here's a short story behind the scene. New Year's Eve in the Philippines is celebrated with lots of noise and fire crackers like America's Fourth of July. We also have what we called "Media Noche" (midnight dinner). Here in United States, it's celebrated with lots of spirits ( wine, beer and champagne) and finger foods. We like to add Filipino flavors like lumpia Shainghai ( small meat rolls), chicharon (pork crackling) and fried squid. I painted my "ideal" New Year's Eve celebration at home. It's a beautiful "seafood Feast" with lots of fresh oysters, jumbo shrimps cocktails, crab legs, clams, mussels, etc. This is a healthy and elegant New Year's Eve feast with lots of veggies, fruits and salad too.

NEW YEAR 2009 With the holidays nearly behind us, many are looking ahead into 2010. It's hard not to be a little afraid. Things still look a little glumm with our bad economy. But somehow, we should be optimistic and hope that a good change is about to come. We must be innovative, creative and willing to take risks this new year. We must have lots of faith. It is faith in God that helped me achieved my art goals last 2008. This new year I will continue to trust God for my future. If you believe, like I do, that the turning of the new beginning is a cause for celebration and welcoming change.
"HAPPY NEW TO ALL! MAY THE NEW YEAR BRING YOU GOOD HEALTH AND MORE WEALTH."

CHRISTMAS PAINTING

"JOY to the world the Lord is come......" Christmas song

CHRISTMAS DAY Is celebrated around the world differently. In my former homeland, the Philippines, we call CHRISTMAS "PASKO." We say both "Merry Christmas" and "Maligayang Pasko." Although I live most of my life here in the United States and spent more Christmases here, I still have good memories of past Christmases in the Philippines. I have been away from my homeland for about forty years but our Americanized-Filipino family Christmas celebration hasn't lost it's Filipino flavor. We learned to adopt the good things from our beloved America and cherished old traditions from our heritage and homeland. By having bi-cultural influences our Christmas celebration is enriched with different flavors and traditions.

"CHRISTMAS IN CALIFORNIA"
MEDIUM: OIL ON CANVAS
SIZE: 48" x 30"
PAINTED IN 2008
DESCRIPTION: This is another painting I did for my art show. Here's my short story behind the painting. One of our greatest blessing when our family immigrated to the United States was having our big family together at Christmas time. There were only a few years of separation from one another, and we were all united. Being in a foreign country, we were happy and secure to have our family together. It's difficult to be happy at Christmas time when one has loved ones left behind in the Philippines. In California, Christmas feels warm compared to other states that have snow and dreams of a white Christmas. Our family continues to celebrate Christmas with abundant and traditional Filipino food, but also added American flavors, like shrimp cocktails, champagne, wine, fresh green salad, pasta salad, cookies, pies, rolls, cakes and more. Traditionally, a rich Filipino Christmas has lechon (roasted whole pork), pancit palabok (noodles). embotido, morcon, fresh lumpia, paella, camaron rebosado (shrimp) and more. Desserts are favorites like leche flan. brazo de mercedes, sweet ube, etc. Because America is
a very rich country, part of our festive celebration is having huge, fresh, ever green pine Christmas tree with countless of adoring ornaments and overwhelming presents surrounding them.
"Wishing You All A "Merry Christmas" or ("Maligayang Pasko").

CHRISTMAS EVE PAINTING

"May all your Christmases be MERRY and BRIGHT.....'' From a Christmas song

In past years, I would already have adrressed my Christmas cards and will be mailing them soon. But this is a different year for me. With my husband's early retirement last August, we decided to move to the beautiful city of San Diego. Been extrememly busy months for us. So instead I am re-posting an article that I wrote last Decemeber 2008. I feel the message still rings true today.

CHRISTMAS EVE Is just few weeks away. I am getting excited as I see our neighborhood dazzling brighter every night with myriads of multi-colored Christmas lights. Christmas time is the happiest and merriest of the holidays, not only in my former country, the Philippines, but in America as well. For Filipinos, Christmas celebration is not complete without celebrating Christmas Eve too. It is an important part of our Christmas celebrations and cultures. Christmas Eve is also about caring families, comfort food, caroling and chit-chat. The night before Christmas, our family attend church services. Then, we have a big get- together with other members of the family we will not see on Christmas Day. Sometimes others open their Christmas presents on Christmas Eve, but our family opens our presents on Christmas morning. The Christmas Eve celebration is almost as abundant and festive as Christmas Day. So the feasting called "Noche Buena" actually starts the night before and continues till Christmas Day.

TITLE: "CHEERFUL CHRISTMAS EVE"
MEDIUM: OIL ON CANVAS
SIZE: 48" x 30"
PAINTED IN 2008
DESCRIPTION: This is one of my oil paintings shown during my solo art show last September 2008. This is a typical Filipino-American Christmas Eve celebration in California, with abundant food, parol (lanterns), Christmas tree, caroling, merry-making, glowing fireplace and aromatic candles. Food is always an important part of the festive celebration. Let me describe what food I painted:
1. First Row (half round table)- Pot of arroz caldo ( chicken soup) and fried chicken w/ asparagus.
2. Small round table -Assorted fresh grapes in different colors and an apple.
3. Middle Table- Grilled pusit (squid) and camarron rebosado (shrimps) with lemons.
4. Right rectangular table- Huge platters of morcon and paella.
5. Left top table- Desserts such as banana cupckes, ube cake, bowl of candy cane, apple topiary and keso de bola (edam cheese).

CHRISTMAS SEASON Is not only a time for enjoying lots of favorite food but "spiritual food" as well. Let us not forget that JESUS is the reason for the season. SOON............ it will be Christmas Day.......!!!!!!

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

Hello to my family, friends and viewers! I am back after a long absence. Since I moved to the city of San Diego, I have not updated my blog. When one is extremely busy moving and then traveling a lot, there is not enough time & energy to blog. I am re-posting something I wrote a year ago and hopefully it's more interesting to read the second time around.
"Christmas is a time of joy, not because of gifts and toys, but because Jesus came ......"-Anonymous

RELIVING CHRISTMAS CHILDHOOD#1 Isn't the best thing about the holiday season reliving our childhood? I first heard the above Christmas song when my first son Rodney was going to elementary school at Faith Baptist School in Canoga Park, California. This son is now in his thirties, but I still remember this simple song vividly. As we count the days to the merriest time of the year, let's remember that Christmas is a time of joy. This song reminds us that Christmas is a joyful time because of Jesus, who's birthday we celebrate.
RELIVING CHRISTMAS CHILDHOOD#2 While growing up in the Philippines I was fascinated with a movie named "White Christmas," a song depicting Christmas in the United States, with lovely white snow scenes and beautiful carols. I was twenty seven years old when I immigrated to the U.S. I live in Southern California most of my life, which do not have four seasons. If we like to see real snow , we take a trip to the mountains. Southern California is a man-made city that dazzles with genuine-fake stuffs, entertainment centers, and amusement parks . With it's proximity to Hollywood and other movie studios this city sizzles with numerous creative and imaginative minds. A trip to Disneyland during Christmas time will fill our imaginations to the fullest. They make incredible snows, more whiter, purer and truer than the real snow, with computerized technology. Many times a trip to Disneyland or Universal Studios are more enjoyable than making a hassled journey to Snowland.

"SNOW AND SHRIMPS SINIGANG" During my recent solo art show, I raffled away the above oil painting. This is the only snow scene I have painted so far. I believed in technology but when it comes to real painting, I am old-fashioned and used oil paint and brushes to create my art works. This window scene with mountains covered with snows was inspired by a past trip to Lake Tahoe in California. In front I painted a simple Filipino dish called "Sinigang." This dish can be cooked using fish, pork or beef but my favorite is the jumbo shrimp. This dish is good to eat when the weather is very cold, gloomy or freezing. The warm dish will comfort and replenish you not only your soul and heart but your tummy too. It's simple to cook. Here's my version in 5 steps:
1. Put about 2 cups water on a medium pot.
2. Add few tablespoons of lemon juice, diced tomatoes and a green chili.
3. Bring to boil and then put about 6 pieces of jumbo shrimps.
4. When the shrimps turn pink add some fresh green beans and bok choy.
5. Don't overcook and serve warm.
TIPS: I like to serve this delicious and piping hot dish on an orange native pot like the one on the painting over a colorful table cloth. I eat it with a bowl of cooked white rice and sprinkle a little patis (fish sauce) on the shrimps for a dazzling taste. I will be cooking this dish many times this cold holiday season. The secret to good cooking, is doing it from your heart.

WINNER OF THE OIL PAINTING The lucky guest during my art show was our next door neighbor, Mary. She and John (her husband) posed for this photo. They loved snow scene and were very happy to win my painting. Mary is an American and probably have never tasted shrimps sinigang. Anyway, she can still enjoy the dish by looking at my painting.

ARTFUL COOK BOOK

"Cooking is an art and patience a virtue... Careful shopping, fresh ingredients and an unhurried approach are nearly all you need. There is one more thing - love. Love for food and love for those you invite to your table. With a combination of these things you can be an artist - not perhaps in the representational style of a Dutch master, but rather more like Gauguin, the naïve, or Van Gogh, the impressionist. Plates or pictures of sunshine taste of happiness and love." -Keith Floyd, A Feast of Floyd
"Find something you're passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.”- Julia Child

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Due to popular demand I am re-posting my blog about the"Global Filipino Cuisine." Thanks to every one who supported this cookbook project.TITLE OF PAINTING: "THANKSGIVING -PINOY STYLE"SIZE: 30" x 38"
MEDIUM: OIL ON CANVAS

DESCRIPTION ABOUT THE PAINTING: This is one of my brand new paintings on display during my past art show last September 2008. I always believe that a family that eats and prays together stays together. Thanksgiving Day among Filipino families in America is celebrated with abundant food. While Americans typically enjoy a roasted turkey with all the trimmings, plus salad and pumpkin pie for dessert, Filipino families are not content with just having the turkey. They prepare turkey with all the trimmings, plus many more Filipino food-like fried lumpia, pancit (noodles), and native vegetables. Dessert is not just pumpkin pie. There are fresh fruits, fruit salad, cassava cakes, and leche flan. That's Thanksgiving celebration with Filipino style. I love vibrant Thanksgiving palette that abounds in the myriad autumn leaves color at this season of the year, which come in yellow, orange, pumpkin, red, burgundy, sienna, ochre,and brown. Last November, 2008, I donated this oil painting to KCS-KALUSUGAN COMMUNITY SERVICES of San Diego, California. It was their 6th anniversary celebration. This non-profit health organization was founded by my sister, Dr. Ofelia V. Dirige and his friend Dr. Riz Oades. The mission of KCS is to promote health and improve the quality of life among Filipinos and Fil-Americans by promoting and advocating positive changes in lifestyle through shared community involvement and respect for regional diversity, traditional values and belief systems. KCS, formerly Project Kalusugan was established in 1992 for the purpose of developing a coalition and conducting a health needs assessment. If you like to know more about this group please check out their website: http://www.webkalusugan.org/

The above painting is featured on the cover page of their 6th anniversary souvenir program. And recently on the latest KSC cookbook. BOOK LAUNCHING: Lately Kalusugan Community Services came out with a cookbook called "Global Filipino Cuisine." It's a very colorful cook book with my "Thanksgiving- Pinoy Style" oil painting on the cover. The book was launched last August 15,2009 at the Jacob Center Celebration Hall in San Diego, California. The event was called "Extravaganza III." We feasted on many Filipino American dishes. There were food demonstrations by executive chefs. Also colorful folk dance entertainment. The book launch was a success. The proceed from the sales of the book will go toward the many programs initiated by KCS. It's currently for sale at $25.00 plus $5.00 shipping.
This is the photo of my beautiful grand daughter Audrey and me with the cookbook. Filipino cuisine is a blend of traditional, native cooking, and the best of foreign culinary practices. It has its niche in the current trend of globalization, hence the title of this book. the tasty recipes in the 200-paged cookbook were modified to be healthy-lower in fat, cholesterol, salt and sugar. Unlike most recipe books, its unique feature is the analysis of selected nutrients and food components based on the USDA Database, as well as a simpler method using the 2008 Diet Exchanges by the American Dietetic Association and the American Diabetes Association.

THE ARTIST (Ebb Tide- right photo) and her husband, Rhod. My husband and I always believed in the mission of KCS. Over the years, we are actively involve and financially supported the organization, although we live in Valencia, Santa Clarita.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Dr. Ofelia V. Dirige (the woman in the middle-left photo) is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the KCS Fil-Am Wellness Center. She obtained her B.S major in Nutrition dietetics from the University of the Philippines (UP). She came to the US in 1966 and obtained her MS in Nutrition from the University of Hawaii through the East-West center grant and DrPH from University of California Los Angeles. She has worked for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health; and taught at the UH School of public Health and San Diego State University (SDSU) Graduate School of Public Health, Maternal and Child Health division. She currently teaches at SDSU Center for Asian Studies; is also a registered Dietician (RD). She is a recipient of numerous awards for research and outstanding community services. Dr. Riz A. Oades (right side of the photo) is the Founder and Director of Kalusugan Community Services. He's also History Professor at SDSU, Community Leader, Newspaper Columnist. He has written a number of books, monographs and over 600 newspaper and scholarly journal articles that covered varied subjects on Asian and Filipino-American cultures, society, history, public health and politics. He also runs columns in the Asian Journal. He has been a recipient of numerous outstanding awards- the latest is Asian Heritage Society's 2008 "Outstanding Community Service Award." The other co-author is Dr. Aurora Cudal (not in photo). She is a KCS's staff member whose line of work is resource development specialist and public relations.

GRAND SON- SIMON RESELLA
GRAND DAUGHTER-AUDREY RESELA
My joy and inspiration as an artist.

MORE ABOUT THE COOKBOOK: The cook book contains not only tested Filipino recipes and color and black photos that bring to life the ingredients, dishes and regional groups of Filipinos worldwide. It is rich in cultural nuances and nowhere else can you find such a simple and accessible resource of current and time honored Filipino cuisine. Also the cookbook contains 4 of the my latest oil paintings. One on the cover and 3 more inside. The copies of my oil paintings alone is worth the prize of the cook book. Besides your generous check will help toward the KCS healthy projects.

If you're interested to order the book please write your check to:

KALUSUGAN COMMUNITY SERVICES
COST: $25.00
Shipping & handling $5.00 per book.
Please mail it to the artist:
Evelyne D. Resella
27371 Parklane Way
Valencia, Ca. 91354