Loiza, Puerto Rico

(loo-EE-zah)
Loíza is known as "El Pueblo de la Cacica". Loíza was proclaimed a town officially in 1692 and named in honor of Yuisa or Luisa, one of the women caciques on the island when the Spanish conquerors arrived.

Settled by Nigerian slaves of the Yoruba tribe in the 16th century, Loíza is a center for African-inspired traditions, retaining one of the highest percentages of African descendants of all island towns. Among those traditions Loíza celebrates the "Fiestas Patronales" where salsa dancing, masquerades, colorful parades and rich Puerto Rican food make this festival a classic. The nine days of this carnival pay homage to Loízas patron saint, St. James.

Star Magazine Cover

This Eagle in flight was completed this morning at 2am. Afraid that it wouldn't dry ontime, I used drying medium mixed in my paint and baked it under two clip lamps with close supervision of course when it is done. This allows me to use my oils and still be able to have quick turnarounds.

Grassland

This is my latest freelance project for the Kansas City Star. This painting will be published on the first Sunday of February. I had a week to finish two paintings so I decided to keep them relatively small. The size of this painting was 9 X 12. It was done with a pallete knife, much oil paint and not much sleep. The other is a painting of a bald eagle gliding through the air over Kansas and Wolf River. Will post when ready :-)

This painting will also feature in The First Annual Kansas Masters Invitational Art Show in Manhattan KS. The exhibit will be from May4 - June15, 2007. Public opening reception will be held on Friday May 4th from 5-8pm.

There will be two paintings in this exhibition. The other painting is in the making!!!!!!! I am excited to see what it decides to become in the end.

Please visit www.allanchow.com for more samples online.

2007 Exhibitions

Exhibitions:-
APRIL
Artist of the month at Blue Koi Restaurant (39th Street, KCMO) - Month of April.
MAY
First Annual Kansas Masters Invitational Art Show at Strecker-Nelson Gallery in Manhattan, KS.
May 3 - June 15. Opening reception May 4th 5-8 pm.
OCTOBER
One man show at Leopold Gallery in KC, MO. www.leopoldgallery.com - Opening Reception TBA.

From Sachi Noto

Well, today I received an interesting and creative christmas greeting card from my dear friend Sachi from Japan. She designed this card I supposed. Check it out!!!

Updating WEBSITE

So this is my latest project!! I am updating my website. Will be completed soon!!! Please check back. My plan is to have a brand new website sometime this year. This is just a start. More to be done. Back to work.......

JOB Hunting again!!!!

Well, its almost 3 am. Felt like blogging again. So I have left my job for the last two years two weeks ago. I haven't felt the same simply because I am adjusting to my life routine. It seems like I have so much I have to do besides finding a job. I have so much time now in hand.

The reason I had to leave my job was because my title at my job didn't allow me to prove that i am the only person who can do that job. That idea is silly anyway to begin with and because it is actually part my application process getting the greencard, it makes me even madder and frustrated. However, I am determined to find a job that could actually sponsor my permanent residency in the states. I am constantly sharing my story and talking to people who might be able to help me spread the word or who could actually give me a job. That day will come soon I hope.

I have since enrolled in school to finish my Masters degree in Design. I have updated my portfolio and recently met a design company here in town who might need some help with some magazine design. I am planning on seizing every freelance opportunities I can get my hands on too. First day of school is January 13th. It looks like I will be teaching a Design 3 class. Interesting!!! Good for my resume I suppose. I am definitely excited. My last class that I taught at the Kansas City Art Institute was great! I had a blast teaching a bunch of young professionals who shares my passion. I have learned to be even more patient as an instructor and also to continue to be as honest as I can.

I am painting as usual. Will be working on a series of Flint Hills' paintings for the gallery and a juried show in May. I also have an exhibition at Blue Koi in February. Something to keep me busy, to look forward to and continue to put my work out there. I am praying to have more commissions lined up in the next month or two. I could sure use the money. Living on my savings when I have to isn't fun but it makes me feel responsible.

I do miss work sometimes. I enjoyed the idea of being somewhere and interacting with people. I regreted leaving my dear friend behind at work. I miss her voice and laughter everyday. Things happen for a reason and I think I have figured out why this change. Since then, I am happy.

2007 New Years in Topeka

Above: KC Salsa Salseras y Salsero.


Second down: Josh and Leah Above: Erica and me.

One of my most memorable New Years Eve party ever took place last night in TOpeka, KS. Why in Kansas? Well, a great band, short roadtrip, salsa, beautiful latin women and most importantly my best of friends made it worth the trip. Some new friends whom I have just gotten to know them a month ago were able to join us and they were a blast to be with.

Between the stories we shared on the way there, a great dinner at Samantha's family restaurant, some beverages, the live music and the dancing, I realized I have experienced new experienced, accomplished and dealt with some transitions in life. Most of all, I learned that both of my best friends here and in Malaysia are getting married. What a year!!!!!

A Race

I was dreaming that I was on a foot race. A total of 38 people participated. I was determined to be first. I was racing against this woman whom I haven't seen before but there is something significant about her. It is still a mystery. As I was running, it felt as though I was running underwater. The resistance against my body was STRONG! I got lost during the last third of the race. Feeling angry and frustrated I continue to find my way out! I climbed through railings after railings trying to get back into the race. I saw that same woman I saw in the beginning of the race who was ahead of me at this point.

I finally caught up and took First Place.

Crossfire

Standing in the middle of a crossfire,
Feeling bullets after bullets nearly piercing me,
Feeling betrayed, neglected, unsure which side I am on,
Finally the shells hit me and I was down,
They started to hit me rapidly one after another like standing under pouring rain,
It was a painless death.

2006 UMKC Talent Show

Get this video and more at MySpace.com

Codajazz Memorial Garden Sketches

My current commission is to design a memorial stone for the new and coming Codajazz Memorial Stone. The theme of Angels will be carried through their 2007 Benefit concert. The event poster will be designed shortly. Here are the sketches originally for a smaller stone. Number one was the winner. However the stone was upgraded to a 4ft by 6ft granite. So here is my progress for the new dimensions.

Dance Magazine

Magazine layout is probably one of my fav. things to do in the Design field. I enjoy the thrill of exhibiting stories with images creatively.

Preview Covers

These are some of my proudest projects at the Star. The cover with the Film guy was a fun paint splattering project inspired by Egon S. It was done on cardboard and other mixed media. The other of Mice and Men was done digitally. I strive for simplicity and I was pretty happy with the way it turned out.

Coda shirt

2006 Codajazz Campaign

This year I tried creating all the artwork digitally using Freehand and Photoshop as opposed to an original oil painting.

Inspiration

An art campaign that i completed last year in May for the codajazz fund concert.

Commission

Summer Filled Sky was my most recently creation. It was a 4 foot by 6foot in size. By far the biggest oil painting I have done yet. I am definitely looking forward to more opportunities that allows me to paint that big.

Tallgrass at the Crossroad-Post Private Opening

Well, first of all the H&R Block Grand Opening was incredible. I had the privilege to meet some of the artists that had a piece or two in the collection. The view from the eighteenth floor was quite remarkable. I felt like I was in John Hancock's building in Chicago. They went all out giving the building an impressive and motivating place to work. I felt like I was in Epcot Center in Orlando minus the rides and the mascots. I even ran into a friend of mine who was with his African group providing some African music to all.

Anyway, my piece of Big Muddy III I finished this year was up in the 18th floor, supposedly the executive level. What a treat. I was just happy that they were impressed with the painting and was proud to own it.

Okay it was 6.30pm, time to head over to the last event of the night, the Tallgrass of the Crossroads' private opening. Students and parents were there. You should've seen how proud both the students and parents were. I ran into most of the students I had during the field trip. We shoke hands, shared a few laughs and I made them tell me all about their creative process. It was great! Their parents were so greatful and had only good things to say about their child's experience.

Needless say, the night was an incredible success!!!!! Half of the students' work were sold. Red 'SOLD' stickers were infestiing the sparkless white walls. I was so happy and proud of everyone who contributed. At the end of the night I learned that one of my pieces sold. It was the one that almost never made it to the show. Thanks Beth for the phone call and demanding me to have a Flint Hills related piece in the show. It was all good.

Ended the night at Blue Koi, sharing stories with a friend over some dumplings and bubble tea. YUMMM!!!

Time to veg out.... PEACE!!!

Flint Hills' piece

After looking through the images I have collected on the day when I was at the Flint Hills, This one stuck out at me. In the image I captured, the things that were intriguing to me were the almost vanishing hills in the background and the path in the foreground that led my eye to the very back of the greenery. I was moved by the depth I was seeing in the image.

Well, the exhibition is TONIGHT! I can't wait. I cannot wait to see what the students I had during the field trip had came up with. Most of all, it will be great to see them and quite the honor to share an exhibition with all of them. It'll be a great show!!!!!!

But first I am off to H&R Block Grand Opening in KC downtown. I am excited to see the artwork they purchased from my show.......

Unity Village 2006

Me at Unity Village Aug.2006

Earlier this summer, Paul Dorrell met up with me at Unity Village in Lee Summit, MO to share some light with me and inspire me. This was a month before my big opening. I found a place of peace and much inspiration. The campus was filled with amazing architectural designs and positive energy.

I will always remember to visit the Village to find peace, comfort and a prayer if needed. There I also saw a labyrinth in one of their parking lots. Its a meditative maze, simple, painted with white paint on asphalt. They come in different shapes and sizes.

Lastly, they have beautiful gardens especially the rose garden.

Kelli's Wedding

What a beautiful Dress and Bride!!!!!!!






Kelli's wedding was held on Sept. 23rd. It was an intimate reception. The ceremony was held outdoors under perfect weather. It was during a sunset which made everything shimmered like they were made out of Gold. Kelli and Ian was happy. We were proud and happy for Kelli.

Heres Latin Rhythm, her second family coming out showing her support and wishing her all the best and all the happiness that she deserves.

During the reception, I also ran into my college buddy Jason Simonds whom I haven't seen in almost two years. He was the photographer. It was good to see him, doing what he does best. The food was great. It was a buffet of salad, rolls, fried chicken, briskets, potatoes, and the best in my opinion, the veggie lasagna.

We danced the night away to a live band. It was fun. It wasn't salsa all night but towards the end we were jammin to all the Salsa music that Kelli played during that evening.

All the guys crowded around Kelli to give her a special dance. She was beautiful that night. It couldn't have been any better. Congratulations Kelli!!!!!!!!!!
With us, we have our lovely ladies. From left: Rachel, Katie, Leah, Donna, Lindsey and Kristina.

Cruises | Exotic excursions illustration

An illustration that was published on Sunday Oct 1st, 2006

I don't get many opportunities to Design the Travel cover with my illustration as the lead art so here it is and it turned out great. Not too bad for two days of work.

It started out traditionally with line work that was redrawn with Photoshop over my pencils.

I intended this piece to be digital to kill some drying time. Normally it would be painted. I am still exploring possibilities in the digital world even though I dislike spending my creative time looking at something knowing for a long period of time that would deterioriate my eyes.

Enjoy!

For more pages that I have designed, check out:-

http://www.newspagedesigner.com/portfolios/portfolio1.php?UserID=6384

Looking Ahead (Nov. workshop)

Another edition of Dance Like Nobody's Watching

Here is my next promo card design project for www.kcsalsa.com

I was a little tired of designing another flyer with two people dancing so I wanted challenge and intrigue the readers with a more conceptual piece. Hope you like!!!!!!!

For more samples of my work, checkout www.allanchow.com

Dance Like Nobody's Watching

Flyer design by Lindsey Bridges and Allan Chow.

KcSalsa.com celebrating their 4th year of inspiring people to dance in Kansas City this weekend with them were four renowned instructors such as Psyon D. Scott from D.C, Maricza Valentin from Chitown, Marquita Bianca from Virgina Beach and Jorge Alvarez from Puerto Rico originally but lives in Chicago.

We had over 60 students attending from Lincoln Nebraska and Columbia Missouri. The party after the first day of the worshop was off the hook. Great FOOD, DRINKS, MUSIC by our very own DJ Rumbero (Johnny), the best Salsa DJ in Kansas City and some amazing dancing. It was held at Josue's house. He refinished his deck just a day before the party and managed to host this great Salsa party. The night was almost still. A gentle breeze kept all the sizzling hot dancers cool while they danced the night away.

The last day of the workshop was taught by my dearest friends Maricza and Jorge for Chicago. They were great. It was organized, fun for beginners and challenging in a great way for more seasoned dancers like myself. They were great role models. Students gathered around and shared a few words with the instructors and ended the workshop with a group picture, hugs and goodbyes. ( I am there....just holding the camera and taking the picture)

I think Kansas City just had an informal Salsa Congresso. Until the next time.....

UMKC 12th Annual Talent Show

What an exciting night it was yesterday. Lindsey and I performed on stage for the first time together. The performance went smoothly. We practiced hard. We put in the time and it all paid off. UMKC definitely had talent that night. WE had fun. I had a blast.

Anyway, here is the video:

CHECK IT OUT!!!!!

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=1225493442