Humble Pebble

“I miss my mother desperately.” — Louise Bourgeois.

Today would have been my Mom’s birthday. As I look at this portrait I painted of French-American artist, Louise Bourgeois, I’m reminded of how art is often the place where we go to process our deepest grief and turn it into something that lives.

Louise said "Oui!" to her calling, famously channeling the memory of her own mother into her art (like the massive Maman sculpture I got to see in Roppongi Hills, Tokyo in 2014). Today, I'm saying "Yes!" to my own creative path in honor of the woman who gave me life.

Happy Birthday in heaven, mama . This one is for you. 🤍~ I love you... I miss you so much!

A "Yes" that changed everything. 🎨✨

In my series I said, "Yes!", I explore the moment an artist chooses their craft despite overwhelming odds. For Frida Kahlo, that "Si!" was a lifeline through physical pain and heartbreak.

As an artist, I find so much strength in her legacy. I hope this piece serves as a little spark of inspiration for anyone currently navigating their own "tumultuous" seasons. Keep creating.

Happy International Women’s Day! 🕊️💜💐

My art journey in 2025 was full of surprises I never saw coming. ✨ From painting bags off-site in Makati, and winning a fan art contest, to finishing my 2nd year of Inktober, and teaching my first basic calligraphy class—it has been a whirlwind of growth. Seeing my painting featured in an art gallery was the perfect cherry on top. 🖼️

I didn’t plan any of this, but I know who did. All glory to You, Lord, for every door You’ve opened. Thank you for the opportunities to create! 🙏✨

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🌟 Artist Statement: 'I said, Yes!' Series

The 'I said, Yes!' series is a deeply personal project created by Filipino artist Marie Aguas. This body of work is a vibrant tribute to legendary figures who chose to embrace their artistic calling and pursue successful careers despite facing profound personal and professional challenges.

​The series was conceived to inspire aspiring artists by highlighting the courage required to say "Yes!" to creativity, even when life presents seemingly insurmountable difficulties.

​This collection currently features three iconic artists whose defiance and passion laid the groundwork for their enduring legacies:

🕊️ *​Frida Kahlo:* Who said "Si!" to art while enduring a life-altering accident and complex personal turmoil.

🕷️​ *Louise Bourgeois:* Who said "Oui!" to art, channeling her grief over her mother's death into powerful sculptures like her iconic Maman.

​ 🔴 *Yayoi Kusama:* Who said "Hai!" to art, transforming the visual reality of her mental health struggles and hallucinations into her distinct, world-renowned dot obsession.

​ 'I said, Yes!' is an ode to artistic resilience and a celebration of the transformational power of art itself.

🎨 Now available at the Artistree Gallery, Dubai, UAE. To learn more about the paintings, click the link below:
https://www.artistree.biz/artist/annemarie-aguas/

Here's a preview of my first ongoing art series, 'I Said, Yes!'

This collection was inspired by three of my favorite female artists: Frida Kahlo, Louise Bourgeois, and Yayoi Kusama. The series is now for sale at Artistree Gallery, Dubai.

Come and see the colorful mixed media paintings in the gallery and online:
🔗 https://www.artistree.biz/artist/annemarie-aguas/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPNTY3MDY3MzQzMzUyNDI3AAGnGVPTHFLqbeshB7ZfyJ8Uym4WR289SGIvhUmz9k4xHFUIFwD4fVqFhjBWsCU_aem_-XhnbdAc42ZmQs44qn77-A&brid=FiyWL_11Gn-uqctmSttfNA

From sketch to submission! My ongoing art series, "I Said Yes," featuring three inspiring women artists that I admire ~ Frida Kahlo, Louise Bourgeois, and Yayoi Kusama ~ is officially submitted and for sale at the Artistry Gallery, Dubai! These are the initial drawings—swipe to see the video of the work in progress! See the finished, vibrant mixed media paintings and purchase them on the @artistreebiz website now! Link in my bio. #ISaidYesSeries #ArtForSale #FridaKahlo #LouiseBourgeois #YayoiKusama #GalleryArt #FilipinoArtist

🤯 Still pinching myself!

I am absolutely over the moon and incredibly honored to have my artwork, "Yayoi says, Hai!", featured at the Artistree Gallery, Dubai, UAE ()!

It means the world to be recognized and featured as an artist on their platform and website. Thank you, Ms. Shivani Virani of Artistree for believing in my work and giving it this wonderful spotlight! 💖

If you're curious about the piece and the full Instagram write-up, check out the link of the original post below! 👇

A vibrant ode to artistic resilience, Yayoi says, Hai! by Filipino artist Annemarie Aguas revisits one of contemporary art’s most recognisable figures through a warm, personal lens. Part of the artist’s ongoing I said, “Yes!” series, the work reflects on the creative courage embodied by icons who persisted despite psychological, emotional, and societal barriers. In this piece, Aguas honours Yayoi Kusama, whose decisive “Hai!” to art transformed private hallucinations and obsessive patterns into a revolutionary visual language of repetition, colour, and boundless conceptual imagination. Executed in mixed media, the artwork distills Aguas’ signature sensibility—playful, sincere, and quietly empowering. Her practice, rooted in introspection and handmade detail, offers a gentle but compelling narrative of joy and self-affirmation. Known online as Humble Pebble, the Antipolo-based artist continues to build a body of work that uplifts ordinary moments through thoughtful illustration and emotive colour choices. View the work here: https://www.artistree.biz/product/yayoi-says-hai/ #art #gallery #artadvisory #curatorialpractice #contemporaryart #mixedmedia #popart #southasianart #illustrationart #annemarieaguas @humblepebble #uae #dubai @shivanimehravirani

Day 31: Award 🏆

​The ultimate prize isn't earned; it's a gift of undeserved grace.

​This drawing is a reminder that we often come to God weary, broken, and knowing we don't deserve the comfort or forgiveness we seek. But the miraculous truth is that through the sacrifice of Jesus, the ultimate 🐑 Award—forgiveness and eternal life—was given to us anyway. That is the depth of God's love.

​"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
~​Romans 6:23 📖
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​What an incredible finish to the challenge! Congratulations to everyone who completed Inktober. 👏

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Inktober Day 30: VACANT 🪑🪑

​These two chairs are the definition of VACANT, yet they feel so incredibly full.

​They represent the physical space once occupied by my two most beloved people—my parents. It's been over five years, and their absence is a space that no one will ever fill. That profound grief is a companion I still carry, and I've come to see it as the spotlight in this piece.

​It's not a cold, harsh light, but a focused, warm beam of memory. It shines directly on these empty seats to illuminate all the love that remains. This light is for remembering, reminiscing, and keeping the warmth of their presence alive in my heart.

​Grief is love's enduring echo. This drawing is a tribute to the love that continues to shine. I love you Tom,I love you Lydia... I miss you so much daddy & mommy.

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Inktober day 29: ​LESSON ✍️~ Art isn't made in a vacuum. It's built on a shared foundation of support.

​This artwork is inspired by the speech that RM of BTS shared during the APEC CEO Summit 2025. His words drove home a vital lesson: The true canvas and playground for any artist—whether K-Pop, visual art, or any creative field—is the community that loves and supports it.

​From humble beginnings, the story of BTS shows that effort and passion are only half the journey. The other half is the ARMY, their loyal fans who loves the group and helped them reach the milestones that they have achieved so far. 🎶🏆✨

His speech is a campaign not just for the investors and world leaders, but ​a call to action for all of us to support the artists you love! Creatives deserve a platform to be seen, heard, and appreciated. As Namjoon promised, we, as artists, will fill the canvas you create with our hearts. 💜

​"As an artist, I promise that I will also let my imagination fill the canvas you will create. I will play my heart out in the playground you will build for us. I promise that I will do my part by sending a message of courage and hope, and lots of emotions through music. A message of embracing our differences to make something better together." ~RM/Kim Namjoon

🎨 🖌️ ​

Inktober Day 28: Skeletal. ☠️✨

Channeling all the peaceful, groovy vibes with this one. Remember, even after you're gone, you can still be ~ 'Too cool to decompose'. 🌼

Seriously, look at those sparkling heart-eyes! Had so much fun with the skeletal theme today. 💕

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You won't shed a tear over this! 😉

Here's my drawing for Inktober Day 27: ONION 🧅 featuring the cutest little phone-chatting couple! Isn't their love layered with happiness? 💜