Born on January 21, 1984 in Orion Bataan, Jensen Moreno’s art voyage began in the Philippines. She was excellent and honor student from the beginning who was destined to succeed in art locally and internationally. “Her world is the art class, her class is the art world, and her art is world class,” as quoted by Jonathan Bar-On—an Author and Teacher at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Her tertiary and post graduate studies began in University of Sto. Thomas (UST) where she took Bachelor in Fine Arts majoring in Painting and proceeded with Master of Fine Arts. She worked as a freelance visual artist, designer, and art tutor who did commissioned work and even managed her own boutique and art studios. She was an art instructor and facilitator in elementary and high schools who also conducted special programs and workshops for all levels of students. Her last stint as a professor was in Mapua Institute of Technology teaching monochromatic freehand drawing, illustration and so on. Her former mentor and art collector, Dr. Mendez in fact believed in her talent so much that he bought most of her works while still residing in Manila whom she met last 2009.

It is in 2011, she spread her wings further and left for Vietnam. Her Vietnam art journey began when Jensen joined the Vin Space, Trung Khuyen Nhac, and Saigon South International School as a part-time art teacher to kids and adults.

Her successes and activities all bulleted as there are too many—a global Pinay success story.  God knows where she will be a few years from now. Truly a multi-gifted artist, designer, and organizer of art.

JENSEN’S ART JOURNEY IN VIETNAM:

• She stunned the local Filipino and international community in Saigon by conducting her first international solo exhibit just a month after she arrived. Her exhibition “Twenty-Seven” was held at the Kinh Bac Restaurant and Gallery. The event was a success and was attended by more than a hundred people on opening night—unforeseen for an artist new to Vietnam.
• When she joined The American School of Vietnam (TAS) as a faculty member in July of the same year, she showed more of her genius creativity as a designer who makes women’s accessories, clothes. She led two outstanding fashion shows and her Avant Garde Collection of wearable art pieces which is made of recyclable materials impressed the crowd all together.
• The multi-faceted Jensen was also involved in theatre and school play productions who directed the set and props design team. As an art teacher, she also trained some of her young students for art competitions and because of her guided teachings: one of her 4th grade students won an over-all championship award out of more than 2000 entries.
• Due to “La Vita e la morte” art exhibition of International Artists in Boomerang Bistro Saigon (last July 2012), she was introduced to more charitable work. This helped her fulfill her goals of reaching out to the less fortunate. She even donated some of her paintings for auction and taught art to disadvantage kids who are afflicted with HIV to benefit the SMILE Group Charity.
• During that year, Jensen did not stop. She even helped promote Filipino art and culture internationally by organizing an art exhibition for emerging Filipino artists for the celebration of Philippine Independence. The exhibit entitled, “PinoyAko (I’m a Filipino)” was attended by 30 artists who flew to Vietnam last June of 2012 to showcase incomparable works of art done by our own Filipino talents. All art works were shown in different venues and local and international dignitaries attended the affair: Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, The Equatorial Hotel Saigon, and Intercontinental Hotel Saigon. The exhibition was featured in English Magazines and websites throughout Vietnam.
• Summer of 2012, Jensen flew back to the Philippines for the “Figuras 5” painting exhibition where she painted Ms. Philippines World, Ms. Daisy Reyes, on a 6×8 foot canvas.” (The girl in the middle)

• Upon her return to Saigon, she had the privilege to work with Ms. Hoang My Vu, Ms. Vietnam World 2012. Her masterful portrait of the beauty queen was exhibited at the Philippines-Vietnam Music and Art Show for business and friendship at Hard Rock Café in Saigon. Once again, the art event was well attended by local and Filipino dignitaries including her subject, Ms. Vietnam World, Hoang My Vu.
• Jensen Moreno finds fulfillment in teaching young minds all she knows about art and to encourage young people to fulfill their creative potential. She also finds equally satisfying producing her own artworks. Oil is her medium of choice and although she focuses on seascapes and abstract paintings but it is in portraiture, she found her niche.
• During her second year at TAS, she taught elective art courses for the high school students and was the organizer in their very first art exhibition which was held in downtown Ho Chi Minh City—a painting auction and performance art was also held at the event.

JENSEN’S ART JOURNEY IN CHINA

Her passion for teaching and creating art continues in China when she moved on 2013. Her interest in organizing art shows will never stop—as it is in her heart.

• She continued were she taught PYP visual art teacher at the Guangdong Country Garden School.
• And while in Foshan, Jensen got into film making. She did a little bit of acting and production designing. For the acting part, she learned how to drive a motorbike somewhat precariously. The first short film entitled, “Rumble in the Bronx” was shown as an entry to Swede Fest 2013 in Fresno, California. She then, participated with two more short films, both were Christmas themed.
• Jensen also joined forces with the music and art teachers at the school for school music and art show entitled, “The Meeting.”
• After her stint in Guangdong, Jensen moved to Beijing to become a visual art teacher for Upper elementary at the Beijing International Bilingual Academy.
• Being in a new environment inspires and motivates her to be her best. She became more involved at her church and also recently organized a performance art event with students from different international schools in Beijing.

• After the success of her first one-woman show in Vietnam, “THIRTY-ONE”, Jensen Moreno’s 2^nd international solo show will reveal her newest collection of paintings in Beijing, China on March 21^st, Taipei on April 1^st, and lastly, Cambodia on July 1^st
• At the moment, Jensen is enjoying her life as an art teacher. She enjoys creating artworks for art competitions, and exhibiting students’ artworks. She looks forward to spending wonderful years in China both in teaching and creating art.
• “Her world is the art class, her class is the art world, and her art is world class.” INDEED!

Article Source by Jonathan Bar-On, Author and Teacher at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

All images provided by the artist.