Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist Before GPS and tablets, every strike and dip was inked by hand by geologists. It is a ritual of observation and artistry. There is a certain romance in geology that isnโt always captured by equations, satellite images, or the neat layers of a GIS map. Long before digital mapping… Continue reading Writing Like a Geologist: Field Notes, Maps, and the Fountain Pen Tradition
Category: My Life in Watercolor
Colors from the Earth: Making Natural Watercolor Pigments from Rocks and Soil
by Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist Thereโs something grounding about creating color with your own hands โ literally. Long before tubes of paint lined art store shelves, artists and scientists alike relied on the earth itself for pigment: crushed rocks, minerals, clay, and soil. Each hue told a story of its origin โ a… Continue reading Colors from the Earth: Making Natural Watercolor Pigments from Rocks and Soil
A Christmas Tree That Tells Our Story
This year, I wanted our Christmas tree to be more than just festiveโit had to tellย our story. Every ornament hanging from its branches represents something we love as a family, something that made this year uniquely ours. In addition to the usual glass baubles and glittery ribbons, I chose to decorate with pieces that hold… Continue reading A Christmas Tree That Tells Our Story
Why I Often Choose to Give Away My Paintings as Gifts to Friends, Colleagues, and Family
Whenever I think about giving a gift to my friends or family, I often wonder: would they really appreciate a painting made by me? After all, not everyone collects art, visits galleries, or even talks about paintings in their daily lives. But the more I reflect on it, the more I realize that a handmade artwork is… Continue reading Why I Often Choose to Give Away My Paintings as Gifts to Friends, Colleagues, and Family
Sinours Phuket Edition: A Watercolor Souvenir from Asia-Link Sketchwalk Thailand 2025
From August 14 to 17, 2025, Phuket, Thailand transformed into a living canvas as hundreds of urban sketchers from across the Asia-Pacific region gathered for the Asia-Link Sketchwalk Phuket 2025. Over four vibrant days, the islandโs streets, heritage buildings, and waterfronts became backdrops for artists who came together to share their passion for on-location sketching. Four… Continue reading Sinours Phuket Edition: A Watercolor Souvenir from Asia-Link Sketchwalk Thailand 2025
A Surprise Gift from UMAE & Ladybug – A Taiwan-based Art Company
Photo of the "toys" from UMAE & Ladybug the day they arrived in the mail. A few months ago, I shared a blog post reviewing the UMAE & Ladybug watercolor paper blockโa product that had genuinely impressed me with its quality. I included a few of my paintings done on the paper, thinking nothing more… Continue reading A Surprise Gift from UMAE & Ladybug – A Taiwan-based Art Company
A Space of My Own: Where Art, Science, and Stillness Meet
Iโve recently moved into a new placeโand itโs a dream come true. While itโs officially our familyโs secondary home near my workplace, Iโve begun to think of it as something more: my sanctuary. My babies visited me for the first time and spent a few days to keep me company while I spruced up our new… Continue reading A Space of My Own: Where Art, Science, and Stillness Meet
Exploring UMAE Watercolor Paper Block: A Review and My Watercolor Sketches Using the Block
Hello, everyone! I took advantage of the Easter break to slow down and recharge โ spending some much-needed time with my potted and hydroponic plants, and finally picking up my watercolor brushes again. Itโs a hobby Iโve missed dearly but had to set aside due to work, which Iโve shared more about in the blog… Continue reading Exploring UMAE Watercolor Paper Block: A Review and My Watercolor Sketches Using the Block
Bringing Back Snail Mail: Why I Still Send Handwritten Postcards
Hi, everyone! On February 14, after months of neglect, I finally opened my mailbox. Inside it were three holiday cards from my friends abroad. Yay! These days, I rarely receive snail mail since bills and notifications arrive via email, unlike before when handwritten letters and postcards were common. However, I had sent a few postcards to my… Continue reading Bringing Back Snail Mail: Why I Still Send Handwritten Postcards
January Artworks
Who doesn't like a steaming hot coffee or chocolate in the morning especially in the current chilly weather that we now enjoy in the Philippines? This art was inspired by another one by JoelDeJong Art. I liked the way he painted the steam coming out from the cup and I tried to duplicate it. A… Continue reading January Artworks