The Fading Beauty of San Nicolas

There was a period in my life when I spent a considerable amount of time hanging around bars in Manila. I had friends who were musicians, and I'd go watch their gigs. After they wrapped up, our usual move was to head over to Marcy's house in San Nicolas to just chill.

What makes San Nicolas special is that it’s considered a heritage district of the city. Even now, you can still see these 19th-century ancestral houses, which were home to wealthy businessmen, artisans, and craftsmen. I have such vivid memories of wandering through those narrow alleys. You’d hear the neighbors chatting away, and you could see this amazing mix of history and everyday life happening all at once.

Honestly, it makes me a little sad to see how much time and modernization have changed San Nicolas. Those gorgeous wooden houses with all their intricate carvings are slowly disappearing. What used to feel like a living museum of Manila’s heritage is really struggling to hold onto its unique identity now.

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Nike Blazer Mid 77 Scribble

When I was in high school, doodling on kicks was a thing. How cool to come into class, learn a few things, then walk out with a pair of scribbled-on sneakers. Even today, many basketball stars are using their shoes for much more than performance. Take a close look at their trainers and you'll find messages written all over. Now Nike is celebrating the process with the release of its Blazer Mid 77 Scribble. Aside from the hand-drawn sidewall Swoosh, the shoe also has smaller notes hidden all over, including the style name and the year it was made. The tongue is also equipped with the brand's logo, which has been hand-drawn in black. I really like the design, especially the imperfect lines. And since we're talking about scribbled-on sneakers, I can't not mention Niko Pelaez . He's a true shoe-drawing machine! [h/t: Sneaker News ]

Hand-Painted Movie Posters by Tony Stella

In the 70s and 80s movie theaters in Manila were usually standalone buildings with nice seats and red curtains. To sell tickets, cinemas needed to advertise their offerings. But they did not have the original posters, or the means to print alternatives. So they made their own, commissioning local artists to hand-paint them. I really miss those hand-painted posters and billboards, which conveyed an artistry that was a form of visual hyperbole. But hand-made objects always have a way of returning. In this digital age, people will always look for things made by hand. I recently stumbled across the work of Tony Stella, whose genuinely cool movie posters have caught the eye of film enthusiasts and art lovers worldwide. He likes to work in watercolor and ink wash but sometimes he will make an oil painting, depending on the film. Tony's very active on social media, and his Tumblr blog contains a massive collection of illustrated movie posters that are often better than the original. ...

A Delicate Touch

Hana Rubi is an artist from Manchester, England who creates objects that are visually compelling and a little bizarre—in the best way. I love the "Alice in Wonderland" vibe that her work embodies, and I couldn't help but stare at these simple, yet peculiar ceramic bell shaped dolls. Scroll down to see more of Hana's ceramic creations. And when you're done, be sure to check out her Etsy shop to get your own unusual and affordable art. View this post on Instagram Which is your favorite? • Blue or the blue and (I’m calling this colour ‘coral’) 😋 ?? • • #ceramicart #ceramicwallhanging #wallhanging #ceramicillustration #illustratedceramics #ceramicsculpture #clay #claywallhanging #ceramicsofinstagram #wallart #blueandwhite #pinkandblue #quirky #earthenware #womanillustration #clown #clownart #manchesterartist #artobject #hanarubistudio #hanarubi #playwithclay #handmadepottery #handmadeceramics #claysculpture #ceramicsculpture A post shared...

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