Her philosophy as visual artist is to live up her commitment in improving the value of life with love and serenity in society particularly for women and children by way of her art. Karen De Pano Picadizo’s ultimate goal as visual artist is to make artworks that can move and touch people and impact their lives in a positive way.

Picadizo’s works usually depicts goodness in humans, and substance of femininity.  The barrel-shaped figure of women suggests fullness of goodness of humans and many describe her works as class and elegant with unique and distinctive style.

Picadizo is an “artist by heart”.  She loves everything that has to do with art.  Art is her passion. Before she became a visual artist, she wanted to be an architect, interior designer, professional wedding photographer, sculpture, pot maker, furniture designer, and even a dress maker.  When she was in high school, she spent her free time designing gowns using typewriting and pencil with intricate and sophisticated details. It was 2011 when she started painting on canvas.  There’s a wall in her house that’s intended for paintings, but due to financial constraint, she decided to make paintings of her own. The rest is history.

As an educator at Binangonan Elementary School in Binangonan, Rizal; she is lucky to have a wide-open opportunity of teaching her students how to draw, paint, and learn how to appreciate art.

Her art style is still mysterious for many art collectors, art enthusiast, artists, and even to the artist herself. 2014 is a fruitful year for her for she gained more clients and collectors.

Get to know how Karen serene fusion of art and education with this set of interview questions from Jenny’s Serendipity.

Enjoy!

How did you interweave the two vocations as a BS Elementary Educator and as an artist?

They just consistently compensate each other with the inspirations I get from both vocations.

Tell me about the beginnings of your art?

When I was in elementary, looking at beautiful paintings in lifestyle magazines made me realize that I want to become an artist someday. My first creation on canvas is a tree.  I love painting trees because it brings back fond memories of my childhood days. When I do modernism art it usually conveys my elegantly simple distinctive style. My favorite subjects include mother and child and women.

What is your favorite among those that you have done and why?

It is really hard to choose because I love them all, but if I really have to choose one talaga (really), it’s “Adore” because it makes me a person with happier soul by simply looking intently to it.

You teach art to elementary students? What is the best advice that you keep telling them?

Yes.  I always tell them to draw or paint what will make them happy, express what they feel, and share their emotions through their art.

How does it feel to be a teacher and an artist at the same time?

It feels great for me because I am able to deal with the passion I have both in teaching and painting with boundless opportunity to share to my pupils which I love doing best.

You have a MAEd in Educational Management; you are also a subject coordinator, head teacher or school administrator now? What drove you to get a MAEd when you teach elementary pupils?

I am the ICT and Science Coordinator in our grade level.  I decided to pursue Master’s Degree because I believe that best teachers are those who strive not only in teaching others but continue their own learning throughout their lives.

Who are your art influences?

My influences are the local and foreign artists I know.  I sincerely look up to them. They continue to influence me through their wonderful works.  Thus, they’ve been playing a great part in my painting career.

You join art exhibits and competitions? What are the most memorable experiences of yours in these?

I’ve joined several art competitions in one of the FB groups. I was once a member before.  I had an honor to compete with many great local and foreign artists. It was ery challenging, fulfilling, fun, and mostly, a memorable experience. Modesty aside, I won several times that made me and my family really happy

Anyone in your family paint? Your husband, is he a painter too?

No, he’s not.  But I am very lucky for he is the one who helps me with my canvas and framing of my artwork.  He’s been supporting me all the way in whatever endeavors I take. We have no kids yet. My brother also paints but not as religiously as I do.

Tell me about your projects?

I paint both commercially and for leisure.  Many of my works were sold already and I am very thankful beyond words to those who have trusted and believed in my works.  They’ve always said that my works depict goodness in human, portray substance of femininity and bring feelings of kindness and love.  I just want to continuously share and spread love through my art and just trust God to whatever plans he has for me.

All images are courtesy of Karen De Pano Picadizo.

To contact Karen, please call her at 09064652017, email: jasonkaren09@gmail.com or via Facebook.