This month on our Kasiningan section, we are featuring the art and music of:

Shirley Crisostomo Chase

They said a true artist is born...well maybe I am one but I think I really haven't explore yet the inner side of me, I haven't explore yet the "gift" that God had given me...I mean totally explore...because I only sketch and compose whenever I am in the mood maybe because up to now I am still experimenting, still gathering some experiences in my life. I know I'm fond of sketching and composing songs once in a while but I really haven't put all my time in to it and it's been a long time since I use my pencil and brush:) Maybe in the future I could find time to sketch and do some charcoal paintings again and write more songs. I think it's just a matter of being in the mood again:)

Now I am very much busy exploring the new trend in the cyber world which is...web designing, which is I am beginning to love and I never thought that one day I could also do this kind of art, for me web designing is also a form of art...it's very different from sketching though.

Actually, it's very hard when I started this kind of art because I really don't have any knowledge of it...even a little. I just did it through trial and error and eventually, I could see that I can also create some lay-outs and make websites. And I can say that I am happy doing it, it's like there's a sense of fulfillment whenever I am lay-outing and whenever I see my works:)

My gratitude always goes to my husband Tom, because he was the one who keeps on convincing me before to try web designing and I think that's the one reason that gave me the confidence to jump into this, because whenever I see his works (he's into 3D Graphics) it inspires me more in what I am doing, I am not saying this because he is my husband *s* but his 3D creations are just great! You should see it for yourself.

I always say that I am not a professional artist because I didn't have any formal schooling except for that short course in Photography and Composition and Charcoal Painting which I took up before, all the rest I did it on my own--just self study, I know I still have a lot to learn and I know I still need a lot of practice to perfect my craft but I will always be very patient... because each day I discover new things to explore...and that's what it makes more exciting. I guess it's because I have love art more than I ever know and it will always be in my system no matter what I do. I may not become a popular in this field but in my heart...my simple art will always be my precious gift from God whether it will become popular or not.

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The Following are some of my works.