Metamorphosis Art by Nelson Castillo in Macuha Art Gallery which aims to promote the Philippine Contemporary Arts and the Filipino Artists.
Source: Metamorphosis by Nelson Castillo – macuha-artgallery.com
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Written by me – Jennifer Bichara
A new blog post “Art on Plates” by Fidel Sarmiento “Condo Series” Acrylic on Plates in Macuha Art Gallery which aims to promote Philippine Contemporary Arts & Filipino Artists.
Source: Art on Plates by Fidel Sarmiento – macuha-artgallery.com
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#FilipinoArt #FilipinoArtist #ArtGallery #PHArt #MacuhaArtGallery
Written by me – Jennifer Bichara
Lorna Maza primarily paints from life, from photographs or memories of an experience. For her, every subject she paints raises a call to a journey that doesn’t stop in the canvas. It all begun in the “Beautiful Islands of the Philippines.”
Being based in Houston, Texas, Lorna still manages to convey her love of the country in her artworks. The rich cultural aspects of the rural life and a country blessed with a rich environment— lush forests, tropical islands, white sand beaches, lakes, rivers, mountains— and friendly, artistic and hardworking people who are always happy to welcome visitors and friends where she once lived resonate in all her compositions.
Lorna is drawn to memories of her home country where she paints to find and depict deeper meaning in all her subjects. Her inspiration stems from how beautiful our country is echoing to reflect the grandeur and magnificence of an island by painting the simple way of what was her beloved life as shown in the warm green tones of her masterpieces.
Lorna had been a very active student, during her school days. She liked art contests, even winning places in some of them. Lorna has always been an art aficionado who loves to collect seemingly worthless items and upcycling them into unique works of art. She had collected fruit and vegetable seeds and dries them to be displayed into long empty bottles.
She has decorated their town home with her ingenuity with unimaginable and unique art works made from materials such as chocolate wrappers, used stamps, stones, strings, broken beads, and even crab shells.
Lorna Maza at UWAAP May 2015 Exhibit
Lorna is a crafter who sews and cross stitch, and has even designed some of her own dresses. She enjoys photography, dancing, singing and is quit a musician who plays the flute including playing the piano and organ.
Lorna Maza graduated from Saint Louis University in the Philippines with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Commerce, major in Banking and Finance. Lorna and her husband, Cyril, largely self-taught artists had never attended any painting classes, other than their art classes in elementary and high school. They both are designers and partners at CSM and LLDM Emporium.
Lorna participates in art exhibits and trunk shows in the Houston area. Last May 2015, Lorna took part in the United Women Artists Association of the Phils (UWAAP) exhibit in Manila.
Lorna Maza at UWAAP May 2015 Exhibit
Prints of Cyril and Lorna’s artworks are also available on t-shirts, mugs, stamps, and other gift items. Please click here and here to see their stores at Zazzle and at Fine Arts USA.
Her paintings are all acrylic on canvas.
***A Selection of Lorna Maza’s Art Masterpieces***
(Click the thumbnails below to enlarge the artwork, and then swipe or use the arrows to scroll)
All artworks provided by the artist.
To get a better understanding of Maricar Reyes Barba’s (Pseudonym “Rica Barba”) cyborg art. It is necessary to know the general concepts. A cyborg is a single self regulating system. It includes two different domains. One is natural and the other is artificial – organic or mechanical binary objects. Cyborg only exists as this union of supposed opposites.
The use of prosthetic and other techno sciences is the primary focus. The idea of the cyborg extends down to the micro level of artificial life. In some important ways, one can define a human machine cyborg as a creature modified.
Art is harder to define than cyborg. The art creation process is a languishing practice. For it implies making meaning with materials — or better yet, making material meaning. Art differs from discursive language. In that, it does not send meaning through sets of codes. The transmission is through form and content that makes sense to the psyche. The meaning is actualized. In time, space, body and matter. It is a sensual and aesthetic experience to the viewer.
One could argue that there are still codes involved. The codes of language discourse are formal in most respects. It is a narrative, logical, and experimental. The codes there are in art seem to be somewhere between explanations. After the fact, publicity, and wishful guessing of interpretations.
Filipina Artist Rica Barba participated in Muntinlupa Group of Artist Art Group Show for Typhoon Yolanda at the Espeleta Mansion Level 1, Susana Heights, Muntinlupa City.
The striking thing about cyborgs and art is that the implications of their intersections. Cyborg art is art that interrogates. The intimate relationships between the human body and technology.
Rica Barba’s biomechanical and futuristic digital artworks and paintings are notable for its grace. Its proportion of the human and nonhuman creatures. Her androids, cyborgs, robots and fantasy aliens of homeostatic systems.
As cited by the artist: “They are my visions of ecstasy, enthrallment and transformation. Depicting worlds which often have the dreamlike qualities of nightmares or secret longings fulfilled. There’s a concern for the beauty of the naked human form. A beauty sometimes enhanced by my liquefied chrome. My translucent narrative fractal outer space background and skin. Creating three dimensional depth and light. My steampunk and biomechanical out of these world creatures was the realm of my senses. My art came to me as an expression of both exotic and erotic imagery.”
Rica’s works of art is instinctive. Her conscious aim is to create some sort of visual impact to the viewer. Ideas for her artworks will sometimes come to her when she is half asleep. Though some of them are full blooded products of her dreams and imagination.
“As for me, my private obsession coupled with raw talent of creativity. My determination to master the technicalities of the craft. Makes her a unique artist, Rica said.”
Rica Barba’s Self-Portrait
Rica uses 3D software in her renderings and think in three dimensions. It is the way this artist views the world – not in flat surfaces but in depth. 3D applications provide her polygon tools. This is where she manipulates simple shapes into one that are multifaceted. Using such techniques as extrusion. Pulling the shape out of its base points to create a 3D model. Her canvas is a direct representations of her reality. Her subjects are lit, shadowed, colored, textured and defined just as they are in the real world.
Born December 1, 1976 in Estancia, Iloilo, Rica’s ambition had always been to be an artist. A graduate of BS Psychology in West Visayas State University in Iloilo City. A self taught visual artist, she did not receive any sort of artistic training. She said, her grandfather, Rev. Restituto Ortigas, was her greatest art influence. The one that provided her books with rich and vibrant colours which enhanced her art visions at an early age. Since then, she made paintings in oil and acrylic. Experimenting with other mediums. Later finding her niche doing three dimensional digital artworks.
Rica Barba’s Self Portrait
She began her art career when she moved from her hometown last 2009 to Muntinlupa City. Where she currently resides. Landed a job as Sales Coordinator. At Prime Sales Incorporated of Prime Group of Companies in Taguig City. She became involved in administrative dept and finance. Later promoted as the company president’s secretary. She worked and managed group exhibitions, multitasking her job and arts at the same time.
A freak accident happened last 2014. Where she had a severe patellar knee dislocation and a lumbar and spinal disc fracture. Which affected her mobility, thus forced her to resign from work. Difficult months followed where she can’t even stand up without help. She underwent operation and was on a cast for almost six months while seeking therapy. Her accident left her knee deformed and now walks with a cane.
The disability made a negative impact in her life. During her dark days, she struggled to relate her art to people close to her. It seemed like she was in a jungle in which psychiatrists were hunting for wolves and snakes. But she never gave up her art. She fought her biggest enemy, none other than herself.
“I made my art as my refuged. Wherein I definitely see my digital works and paintings as my means of communication. Social media became my channel of expression. I am a conceptual futurist, a term I used because it offers a hint of the scope of my abilities,” said Rica.
**A Selection of Rica Barba’s Cyborg Futuristic Art***
Images supplied by the artist.
Benjamin Cruz is a award winning Filipino painter who has the ability to dream and create new worlds. Mr. Cruz’s transforms his pieces to new heights with this concept of manipulating dimensionality. The artist takes inspiration from the landscapes around him that goes way beyond realism.
Compositions and painting techniques are the tools Mr. Cruz’s uses to transform his art. His subtle shift results in a piece that is complex and layered. The same way that life is multifarious and multidimensional. His transparent layers of acrylic in unique ripple effects. Create landscapes that appear to dissolve into the mist. Results in a mysterious surface. That begs the viewer to come closer and explore the intricacies of the painting.
Mr. Cruz’s art is in the category of abstract realism. Abstract realism is difficult to explain because it is the blend of two opposing styles of art.
Abstract art without any combining rudiments and has no reference to real objects. It is only concerned with the colors, lines, shapes and rhythms that create the artwork. In a manner, abstract art is art without a concrete and physical construct to work from.
Title: “Building”
Med: Acrylic on canvas
Size: 152cm x 160cm
Yet, realistic art aspires to create realistic impressions of real objects. Realistic painting attempts to show what the eyes actually see, including human hardships. This goal of realistic accuracy includes color choice, subject matter, and brush strokes. The painting should represent the subject. Viewers should know what they are looking at.
The goal of abstract realism involves using abstract painting techniques. Through the use of distorted images by implementing impressionist, surrealistic and expressionist techniques. To make the painting recognizable, somewhat blurred and distorted.
His art form sits between realistic depiction of the world. Including, non-representational abstraction as the main subject. They are no longer two separate opposing styles. But they come together to strengthen each other.
Mr. Cruz aims to bring the elements of our consciousness that is not evident in plain sight into the light. His desire for the comfort and skill of the real and the need of those abstract aesthetics.
Ben Cruz waiting for the announcement for 2015 Southeast Asian Painting of the Year.
A former graphic designer of the Business Times, Mr. Cruz, won the coveted UOB Painting of the Year 2015 (Singapore) award for his acrylic on canvas titled “Building.” Organized by the United Overseas Bank last Nov 4, the painting mixes realism and abstraction to present images of Singapore landmarks under large, textured swirls of earthly colours. Award winning piece points out something that already exists. In its final form. It is symbolic of Mr. Cruz’s impression of Singapore, where skyscrapers dominate.
Ben Cruz, born in 1954, is a multi awarded visual artist both in the Philippines and Singapore. Mr. Cruz has completed a degree in advertising and is concentrating on painting realist abstracts in his retirement.
**A Selection of Ben Cruz’s Art Masterpieces***
Artist at work who can paint one painting a day.
A rage to master as observed in some precocious young artists may help define extreme visual creativity in spotting artistic brilliance in children. Among all child prodigies there is one particular trait that children share: passion about their interest – whether it is in painting, sports, math, science or even dance.
Despite his young age, Ram Skyler De Leon or “Sky” has already distinguished himself as a professional artist. Sky can make one oil painting a day, his stress buster after school. “I am passionate about art!” he enthuses. Shy is an artist who has an obsession to master his craft, devouring art books and religiously studying with local experts.
“It’s a great honor to be an artist. Art for me is not just a hobby but a passion. Painting became my escape and my inspiration to do well in school. We all live in a busy and complicated world but art simplifies it. God gave me this wonderful gift and my family has supported me throughout my journey in art. I hope to create more and better paintings or works of art in the future.”~Sky De Leon
Looking at kid’s compositions, it won’t take you much to conclude that he comprehends far beyond his age. His reflection about art, his brushstroke and mature demeanor across the canvas at such a tender age is certainly a gifted realist. His elements of composition, color, space and movement are handled with greater sensitivity to detail.
The fifteen-year old boy’s paintings are no child’s play for this 2nd year high school honor student from La Salle Greenhills who started art as early as six years old.
Ram Skyler de Leon and Master Artist, Fernando Sena at Walls Gallery
He first studied art basics with acclaimed “Fernando Sena” in 2010 and had several exhibits through him, in venues including Philippine Heart Center, Eastwood Cinema in Libis, and Walls and Art Gallery in Quezon Avenue while contemporary Filipino artist “Philip Badon” has also helped in shaping Sky’s art.
His comprehensive art education and as well as his exposure to numerous art forms, styles and techniques, finds niche in realism and impressionism through L’arc En Ciel Gallery who is now Sky’s second home in art – a leading art gallery in the country under the tutelage of Elaine Herbosa curator of the L’Arc en Ciel in the South. Sky has also been accepted to the Florence Academy of Art in Italy for next year’s workshop – first Filipino child to be accepted in this prestigious academy.
Sky with Elaine Herbosa, President and Curator of L’Arc En Ciel Art Gallery.
He wields a brush like an art master. His skill in the impressionist still life is a sight to behold – his copper vases, sunflowers and cherries on white silk organza pop to life with his sophisticated strokes. Sky’s oils in bold colors have unending appeal.
Sky was not like most children as he found solace frolicking with vivid colors and various subjects in his paintings. Sky is an artist whose art are often self-directed, preferring art to other forms of entertainment. Sky believes that creating art in general is not an activity but a way of life for him. It teaches him discipline, courage to go beyond his limits, and to aim for perfection for whatever interest him.
“Still life teaches you to find the beauty in simple household objects and portraiture makes you enjoy the perfection of the in perfection,” ~Sky De Leon
Image credit via John Rene Fernandez
Sky has been publicly exhibiting his works since he was 11 years old, starting at the Bahay Tsinoy Museum in Intramuros. He had a solo auction exhibit for the 10th anniversary of The Palms Country Club in Alabang in 2013, where part of the proceeds went to a charitable institution. He has joined Art in the Park two years in a row, ManiaArt 2015, and exhibits in Bellevue Hotel, Tagaytay Highlands, ArtistSpace, Ayala Museum and at L’Arc en Ciel Atelier and Gallery in Ayala Alabang Village.
His rare talent has been featured as Artist of the Week in Solar TV’s morning show, interviewed in other TV programs, and featured in newspapers and magazines. Sky is, after all, just a typical, well-rounded extraordinary talented kid with supportive non-artist parents. His oil paintings have evolved into a more mature depictions and advanced techniques.
“I love what I am doing. It’s very satisfying, seeing a finished work when before there was just a blank canvas,” ~Sky De Leon
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Maria Conception Talinao, aka Connie Cabalar is what you call a traditional realist visual artist. Her goal is to be as realistically as she can be on color choices, subject matter, and what type of brush strokes she applies to the canvas. It is her aim to represent the art subject clearly so that viewer would know what they are looking at. Her choice of medium is in charcoal, pastel, acrylic, and oil. Her fave’s are in portraiture, landscape art, figures, still life, and sometimes, she dabbles in abstract.
Here is an introduction to the artist where Connie shares the story of her art journey, artistic voice and lastly, her inspiration:
Connie was born in Makati City on December 8, 1976 but grew up in Sta. Ana, Taguig City. Her art beginnings started for her at an early age. Born out of poverty, she used art with the intention to divert her mind from hunger and the realities of a hard life.
She would have given anything to get into Fine Arts in college but like most other Filipino youngsters whose families faced financial setbacks; she had to give her dream up and follow a different path. She then enrolled at the Pasig Catholic College and took a course in Business Administration major in computer management. While in college, she had to work to support her studies and slowly forgot about her love of art.
But in 2011, art came creeping back to her— badgering her to give it one more try. She was one of those people who have always identified themselves as an artist. So no matter how hard they try to go the normal route of what’s life expect them to do, they will always find a way to do what they are passionate about.
Her hardest challenge is not getting the formal training and education in fine arts. However, at the same time; it serves as an inspiration. Every time there’s a new trial for her, she is pushed to excel. Whenever she is faced with another blank canvas, there’s always that dare to come up with something better than her previous work. In the back of her mind, she feels the fulfillment of finishing the painting with a sense of pride which inspires her even more.
Different artists may have different sources of fulfillment in what they do but for her, the greatest reward is when she sees and hears people appreciate her work after hours and effort that she invested in her craft are all worth the time.
Connie is living her dream. However, her ultimate wish is to be recognized for her art and would ultimately like to inspire others to follow their dream. She said, when she becomes an established artist, she wishes to give back through outreach works and free workshops. Because for her undying service, this will be the greatest accomplishment and that is sharing what God has given to her.
She is the current seating president of Filipino Artist Realist Movement (FA:RM). She has participated in many art group shows since she began her art journey. Last March 2014, she had her first solo exhibit called “PassionArtility” – Art Association of the Philippines-Kanlungan ng Sining.
***A Selection of Connie Cabalar’s Art Masterpieces***
(Please click on each image to view an enlarged version)
Images used with permission.
Arlene de Castro-Añonuevo or “Adecastroan” is a poet and thinker who wielded the paintbrush or pencil as passionately as she did the pen. She is a versatile gifted artist who occupied many creative realms that provided reciprocal sources of inspiration. She can easily shift from one style to another from realism, impressionism, expressionism, surrealism, and abstract. She brings her variety of eclectic style and her attention to the finer details of the painting, the use of allegory, the story and emotion she conveys in each of her work that invites the viewer to explore the depths of her subject and have a glimpse of her soul as an artist. She further augments the countenance of her art by using a broad range of medium from pastel, watercolor, oil, and acrylic on paper and canvas. Then, her words follow her paintings, as a poetess who creates a poem in response to her work of art, her words become a way of seeing—a collaboration within the conversation.
“I have a very creative mind, and often the products of my creative mind manifest first in my dreams,” as quoted in INQUIRER.net.
Art was always part of Adecastroan’s life, her childhood hours spent sketching and drawing instead of playing. Native of the rustic town Iba, Zambales by Carlos Gonzales de Castro, a Zambaleno of Spanish descent and Estela Sy Loria, his Chinese-mestiza wife from Pangasinan. Her patriarchal roots in this place can be traced as far back as the time of revolutionary patriot “Andres de Castro Bonifacio,” whose mother Catalina who hails from barrio Dirita, is her great grand aunt.
Adecastroan, an AB Sociology graduate of the University of the Philippines who only started painting in 2003 after her early retirement from Cathay Pacific Airways as a stewardess, and later from Midtown Hotel which allowed her to enhance her artistic expression furthermore. Although largely a self-taught artist, she did learn the basics from Filipino master artist “Fernando Sena,” and “Arte Pintura” artists specifically, “Addie Cukingnam,” “Azor Pazcoguin” and “Rey Ademis.” In the short period of time, she has developed a unique style of her own inspired by the variation of post-impressionism color theory, combined with a keen sense of observation of the natural world. Indeed, her opulently textured artworks are a visual feast to the eyes.
“I paint my subject as he gets in touch with his inner self. Whenever one looks at my painting, I want him to answer this question: What does it mean to be a person historically, experientially and personally? The viewer has to go beyond the surface and reflect on what he sees so as to arrive at a deeper understanding of the human psyche. This is the foremost reason why I do not render my subject based on the usual standard of rendering it; symbolism always being an integral part of my work. Philosopher Descartes says “I think therefore I am.” In my paintings, I say “I think and I feel therefore I am.” Painting is not a matter of duplicating an image but capturing my subject’s essence- soul on canvas.”~Adecastroan
She is a highly talented painter, blogger and a poetess who sometimes dabble in modeling for photography. She is currently residing in Quezon City and had her first one-artist show in the Heritage Art and Antiquities Gallery in 2009. She has participated in various group exhibits including “Katha,” which is a monthly art exhibit on different themes expressed through art by different independent artists. She is an active member of the “Linangan ng Kulturang Pilipino Group.” This sociopolitical organization that tackles issues in society and she is involved with visual and performance arts under poetry. Her artworks are also displayed at “Bahay Nakpil-Bautista“ and joins poetry reading and other Filipino heritage events. Her other interests includes membership in the Screenwriter’s Guild of the Philippines and the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). The proceeds of her work support her staunch activism for animal rights and welfare.
***A Selection of Adecastroan’s Art Masterpieces***
(Please click image to enlarge)
To contact the artist:
Facebook Pages:
Website: www.adecastroan.blogspot.com
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Watercolor artist “Margarita Lim” was not a Fine Arts graduate; she was actually an accidental artist who attended an art workshop to help her get over the death of her husband. During her healing process, she prayed and was guided by her art mentors to join the “Kulay sa Tubig” watercolor invitational competition. She was a runner up on her first try and won 3 times and was awarded top 5 and elevated to the Hall of Fame, last December 2014.
As an artist, one strives to show that the ostensibly delicate medium of watercolor can be bold, rich in color and dramatic in execution. When she paints, she aims to understand and see its beauty and simplicity within its complexity. Her paintings capture the very core of her subject and the viewer’s find themselves lost in the world she has created. Her watercolor paintings express a unique way to creatively represents illusions, expressions, and bright feelings.
When she paints, it is not about what you see at first glance it is more about the emotional connection she brings out whenever she chooses an art subject. Her form is the language, the content is the voice. As every artist, they are here to share their gifts with others; it is a valuable healing experience for her and the observer and her art is what she is born to do. She also does dabble in acrylic but her main medium of choice is watercolor.
Her mentors influenced her to do watercolors.
“Thanks to you Henry when I saw you painting a watercolor portrait, you challenged me to excel in watercolor. The 3 persons who influenced me to do watercolor are Boy Ventura, Rody Herrera & you (Henry Braulio); wouldn’t be here without you guys,” the artist laments.
A resident of Pasig City, Philippines, Lim garners much of her inspiration from the Lord and her fellow artists at the “Art Association of the Philippines,” where she currently seats as the secretary of the art organization. She was also chosen as one of the “KATORSE Ab Initio” group of Filipina artists carving out a space for themselves, dedicated to the craft of visual arts. In a short given time, they were able to organize a group exhibit at Arte Pintura Gallery at the Address Condominium WackWack Road last June 17, 2015. She is at present holding a show at the “Junkshop” Exhibit at Art Center, SM Megamall from Oct 9th to 20th of 2015.
***Here are a Selection of Margarita Lim’s Art Masterpieces***
(Please click image to enlarge)
All artworks used with permission.
Award winning, internally driven, and emotionally charged, Edwin “Buboy” Dinapo’s original art executed mostly in abstract, human forms, landscape, portraits and still life—have been described as “evoking a feeling of peacefulness and serenity.” Buboy’s works mostly with acrylics but he does dabble in mixed media. When viewing Buboy’s portfolio for the first time, one is under the belief that the works presented are the creations of a master artist. The diverse collections however are the efforts of just one.
Some of his portraits entitled “Mother and Child,” “Devotion” and “Caroling” are famous these days which is why he became the endorser of the Hallmark Cards in which part of the profit goes towards the care for the kids fighting leukemia.
Buboy Dinapo is a self-taught, abstract painter who hails from Davao City, Philippines. Moved by his great desire to provide a better future for his family, Buboy decided to move to Manila in 1987. Buboy’s passion for art was so great that even after office work; he found time to play with his brushes and color palettes on a blank canvas and continued the pursuit of his first love—painting. While Buboy has been creating art throughout his life it was not until 2004, after a solid thirteen years of office work; Buboy decided to leave his job and pursue his dream of becoming a professional artist on a full-time basis. He is also a freelance TV & movie actor and you can watch all his videos via YouTube.
In a fairly short period of time, Buboy accomplished unheard of achievements for a self-taught & self-representing artist. Though he did not have any formal training in the Fine Arts, through the years, Buboy learned to love the beauty of nature and mastered his craft by capturing the essence of his own style in every brush stroke. He joined several “on-the-spot” sessions to develop his God given talent as well as provide awareness to everyone who views his art pieces.
In 2006, Buboy garnered the attention of the astute and art critics who dubbed him as the “Prodigy of the Year” and also received the prestigious “Filipino Pride” (Dangal Pinoy) award for the Culture and Arts of Buhay Pinoy category from the Philippine Television Network RPN9 on the 3rd of July 2006. He was also a grand prize winner for “On the Spot Competition” with the theme “Taal Volcano 2004″ by LUNDA Art Group and a second runner-up for the same competition with another theme “Watermelon 2004.”
In recognition of Filipino world-class excellence in 2015, Dangal Nang Bayan awarded Edwin “Buboy” Dinapo “Outstanding Visual Artist”and Asian Achiever Award “Outstanding Artist/Actor for Arts and Culture.”
Some of his original paintings have already been displayed in other countries like the U.S., Canada, South America, Europe, Middle East and Asia. Buboy also now enjoys the patronage of his collectors such as Manny Pacquiao, Senator Edgardo Angara, Senator Bong Revilla, Senator Chiz Escudero and former Mayor Sonny Belmonte to name a few.
To visit and to learn more about how this self-representing artist made it big click here. Oh yeah, you can also buy art in his shop and connect with him via Facebook.
***A selection of Buboy Dinapo’s art masterpieces***
(Please click image to enlarge)
Abstract Series
All artworks used with permission.
