A jigsaw puzzle is a tiling puzzle that requires the assemblage of often oddly shaped intertwining and inlaying pieces. Each piece usually has a small part of a picture on it; when complete, a jigsaw puzzle produces a complete picture. Puzzle art is a form of abstraction where art does not attempt to represent external, recognizable reality.  However, it seals to achieve its effect using shapes, forms, colors, and textures. Its mood is predominant feeling and non-representational which is not based on external appearances.

Marilen Cunanan Buan creates complex, vibrantly detailed art with a pen and ink base before adding a color finish. Her singular style is influenced by her background who studied Electronics Technology at Angeles City National Trade School. Her work is recognizable by the distinct sense of detail and the abundance of minutiae that fills all of her pieces.

Born and raised in Angeles City, Pampanga; Marilen started making puzzles last October 2011. Her love of pens, her technical skills and thirdly, her obsession for puzzle pieces made her pursue puzzle art making. She chose the art of puzzle because according to her, “we as humans are like pieces of puzzles forming a beautiful creation of God.” She believes she is blessed with the talent she’s been given because she thinks that one is born with artfulness.

Marilen’s finds that her work is a continuous search that is always evolving. She uses freehand to shape and form the puzzle pieces—pencil, ruler and pen only.  She has never worked with a laser-cutter or has not used a vector art package before.  She plans to do mixed media by next year.

She is currently an active member of (AAP) Art Association of the Philippines. Recently, she participated in the Art Association of the Philippines annual art competition in the drawing category. Here’s her entry:

Artist Statement

My “PHILIPPINE ART AWARD 2013” entry, finally done tonight after almost 5 months in the making! Its worth the wait, I’m happy and satisfied with the results heart emoticon. My personal favorite image “Rising Sprout on a Dry Ground” in my own version, my own style “Puzzled and Inked.”

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Aside from arts, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her family. Her parents are Mr. Orlando Buan and Mrs. Erlinda Buan. She is the 4th child from 6th Siblings and only the artist in the family. She is a proud Methodist Christian by Faith.

***Fall in love with some of Marilen Buan’s beautiful puzzles of art at its finest.***

(Click the thumbnails below to enlarge the artwork, and then swipe or use the arrows to scroll.)

Marilen Buan – Untitled (suggestions?), Size: 10×16 – Medium: Pen and Ink on Canson Paper

Marilen Buan – Title: Koi, Size: 9.5 x 11.5 inches – Medium: Pen and Ink on Canson Paper

Marilen Buan – Title: Daylight, Size: 10×16, Medium: Pen and Ink on Canson Paper

Marilen Buan – Title: Tulips 1, Size: 12″x12″ – Meduim: Pen and Ink

Marilen Buan –Title: Super Natural, Size: 15″x20″ – Medium: Pen and Ink

Marilen Buan – Title: Prince of Egypt, Size: 19″x 25″ – Medium: Pen and Ink

Marilen Buan – Title: Hope, Size: 15″x20″ – Medium Pen and Ink

Marilen Buan – Title: My Entry for Intramuros Exhibit, Size: 18×28 – Medium: Metallic Pen and Inks on Paper

Marilen Buan – Title: Adam and Eve, Size: 20″x 30″ – Medium: Pen and Ink

Marilen Buan – Title: Cross, Size: 10×16 – Medium: Pen and Ink on Canson Paper

Marilen Buan – Title: RISE, Size: 18×24 – Medium: Pen and Ink on Prisma paper

Marilen Buan – Title: Lucky Thirteen, Size: 18×24 – Medium: Pen and Ink on Canson Paper

Marilen Buan – Title: Koi, Size: 13×18 – Medium: Pen & Ink on Bainbridge Coldpress Board

Marilen Buan – Title: Tulips 2, Size: 12″x12″ – Medium: Pen and Ink

Images used with permission.