Born to four generations of artists, Darby won a local competition at a young age. He pursued a course in computer engineering and worked as a renderer graphic designer, before he rejoined his family of artists, further honed by the Living Master Orley Ypon. Twice a grand awardee of the Art Petron Painting competition, he also won the watercolor category of Metrobank Arts and design composition. Darby has been featured in several publications. watch his family legacy to art. See Darby's works: https://youtu.be/yEFOTGaIMjU
Cris is the 8th of 12 children from Ronda, Cebu, he worked at Art Crafts Exports British Company at age 14 and was a designer at Bon Ace Fashion Tools. His skills were developed at Aroma Art Atelier where he learned the basics of anatomy, perspective and color theory. He won second place at Cebu Sinulog Foundation painting contest in 2012. Today, he is one of the most sought after realism artist. Meet him in person: https://youtu.be/b-SQGX_Dj64
A native of Kidapawan City, Lucas was engaged in cinema ads for 30 years, until 2005 when technology took over his job. He then focused on painting, inspired by the greatest Filipino realism artists, including our Living Master Orley Ypon. Among many competitions he won, Lucas is a recent finalist in figurative category for the 14th Annual ARC Salon (2019-2020). Meet Lucas: https://youtu.be/vK0iGQw5hTY
A mechanical Engineering undergrad, Randy started painting full time in 2006 when he joined Aroma Art Atelier at Toledo, Cebu. He was also a member of Cebu Art Association, and placed finalist in several competitions. Randy won 2nd Place in the National Capital Region, Fernando Amorsolo, Mentor and Apprentice Painting Competition in 2011. Meet Randy: https://youtu.be/6I6cRkelIYE
Ariel started his simple strokes through his friend, Jose Victor Patalinghug. Later, Ronilo Abayan introduced to him the basic portrait procedures and techniques. At 16 yrs. old, he has started his painting apprenticeship under the tutelage and discipline of Mar Vidal where he fully embraced the real Art Culture. He got the Grand Prize Award of GSIS National Art Competition in 2018
From Samboan, Cebu, Jess joined several art competitions in 2006 organized by Cebu Artists Inc, where he became a member and honed his skills, with the encouragement of member artists. He started as a contemporary realist, occasionally embarking in impressionism. He is now exploring abstract style of painting as he continued to participate in annual activities at Cebu. His self-portrait is an award-winning piece. Meet Jess: https://youtu.be/zTuvv8xuLDI
Studied Architecture in the Philippines but eventually loved building pieces of art by form of painting. In a remarkably short period of time, he has emerged as one of Kansas' realist artists. His art translates photographic images into the opposite of what a camera does, he sees degrees of values and hues that the camera and most people can never see. His canvases pulse with the subtle energy of a living thing. Meet Pat: https://youtu.be/G-jEUREoWbk
Jerome graduated Bachelor of Theology and Bachelor of Arts in Values Education and Culinary Arts. He created organizations of artists and give avenue to new artists to get exposed. He is also teaching kids for free and he does art therapy as a way to debrief individuals suffering from any forms of trauma. Right now he is currently doing free online art class and he is based now in Kansas City USA. Meet Jerome: https://youtu.be/AmdsRYJXwFA
Jer graduated with a degree in Nautical Engineering at Cebu, a native of Compostela, he became a full time artist since 2010, self-taught, he won several competition including the GSIS first honorable mention national contest, first prize winner in Robinson Land Corp. national contest 2018, and in 2020, 3 of his paintings won in Cebu as 1st,2nd and honorable mention, respectively. See Jer's masterpieces: https://youtu.be/i1VHnh4mQIg
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Garry Allen Watin is a graduate of Fine Arts from the University of San Carlos. Aside from painting, his other passion is teaching. He eagerly shares his knowledge in the arts as an instructor of Multimedia Arts in Cebu Institute of Technology- University. He is trained in the style of Realism and loves to paint portraits. His aim as a portrait artist is not just to paint any body’s faces, but people he considers as “Winners”.
Winners for him are “everyday folks” like a hardworking and responsible father, loving husband, devoted wife, obedient children or passionate people like athletes, entrepreneurs, innovators and movers of society. The reason why he paints these “winners”, because of their contagious positive attitudes. He wants to be infected with it and be like them as “winners”. Somehow these people are very idealistic in their “approach of life”, very similar to Garry’s approach in art.
Francisca cultivated a motivation to capture nature through art in thick swathes of oil paint that create depth and texture on an otherwise flat canvas. Fransisca’s progress was rapid, she put her basic education on hold in place of a full-time training in art. Francisca and her works have gained recognition at Art Renewal Center's 13th International ARC Salon Competition (2017-2018) Honorable Mentions/ Da Vinci Initiative Award, and in Vision Petron “Tuklas Kultura” in 2018 where her work entitled “Bagóbo Tribes” became finalist. Her recent self-portrait is another product of her continuing innovation in style, execution and subject matter. She never ceases to surprise us! Meet her upclose: https://youtu.be/Dd0ZTgkL-W4
At seven, Daniel Yu’s curiosities in art prompted him to practice drawing all through high school. His aspirations to enter Aroma Art Atelier entailed two attempts and it was only on his third --when he further refined his self-taught skills-- that he was finally considered a scholar. Painting in the atelier was a conscious choice the 20-year-old artist made in 2018 without his family’s knowing, all with the exception of his grandfather who has always supported his passions. He's well on his way up, the next gen artist to watch. Daniel assists our videotech. Meet him at our Youtube channel: https://youtu.be/Hx7B7eV-YX0
Raiñer discovered the love for art at a very early age, doing sketches of nature and portrait was greatly influenced by Art Renewal Center's living master Orley Ypon where he finds great inspiration. Raiñer’s technique and art discipline is of painterly realism, and impressionist in form, inspired by the works of Nikolai Fechin, Claude Monet, John Singer Sargent, William Turner and Juan Luna. His self-portrait is a perfect example of his avant-garde imagination, and love for dogs. Scroll down for all his other works at our gallery, now on auction. Meet him in person: https://youtu.be/Unyvc6o5Wk0
Rembert’s biggest advantage as an artist is the support he gets growing up in an encouraging home. Having a mom who likes to draw, a father who supports, and a multi-awarded realist for an uncle, he showed interest in art as early as five years old. In effect, he cultivated a love for family and a strong dedication towards his craft. The 18-year-old paints portrait and still life, his works speak eloquently of life around him. He topped the blind jurying of our First Matanglawin Award for Realism category, a very promising virtuoso in the making. Meet this young talent: https://youtu.be/HZCWwskXT7A
Romar Quimada's influence lie in the classical figurative art, choosing to hone his painting skills full time despite many dissuasion he encountered in such a traditional hometown. With a passion for art, cultivated at home since childhood, Romar knows his heart is in the right place. From still life to portraits, to landscape paintings, the 19-year-old artist relentlessly sharpens his eye for capturing everyday subjects and his skill in painting them in a naturalist style. He is now an instructor at Aroma Art Atelier, assisting their most senior instructor, the award-winning Mark Lloyd Belicario. See him in person: https://youtu.be/nE1IIgnj7ZI
Early awareness of art and painting came by way of his father, who did framing jobs for many local artists. A very promising young man, he trained under Tony and Vidal "Undo" Alcoseba and he actively participated in paintings exhibits in Paris (Cultural Confluence_IV 2011), Malaysia (Art Malaysia Art Tourism Fair 2013, 2014) and also joined Langkawi Art Biennale (LAB 2014) at Malaysia 2014, group exhibit in Kluang Mall, Malaysia, and Aroma Art Atelier group shows. Meet Renulo: https://youtu.be/LcPEH3iBcC4
Ruel Yu Amistad, a Bachelor of Arts graduate major in Political Science, worked in a BPO company until he lost his job, and fell back to his original love, nature and arts. It was not until 2018 after visiting his cousin’s studio at Aroma Art Atelier in Toledo that fueled back his interest in visual art. With the help of his cousin's studio, he dedicated his time to nurture himself and learn the field of representational classical art, proof that you can be anyone you want to be if you put your mind and heart to it. Ruel assists in the artists' presentation. Meet Ruel: https://youtu.be/8HENf-W3EvY
Angie grew up being able to draw and paint all her childhood. Sister to the ARC Living Master, she took on administrative duties for Aroma Art Atelier and started painting out of the art group’s encouragement. She pursues art with a focused mind and a passion to progress her skills in sketching and traditional oil painting. Her works painted in darker tones and limited palettes, take shape on the canvas in formal stages, from graphite to paint. She experiments with different mediums and techniques, demonstrating her perspective towards art. Visit our Youtube channel: https://youtu.be/hWOQgQajVXo
One of the most versatile artists hail from a fishing village of Bohol, Philippines, graduated with Fine Arts major in Advertising, the “Stripewalker“ braved continents through his performing arts, paintings and sculptures. His endless imagination injected with humor and passion for innovation is unequalled. His series “multitext” found its home at Shangrila Hotel BGC. Sam is the Grand winner of Don Papa Rum at the Art Fair Philippines 2020. Nor surprisingly, he grabbed the blind jurying of our First Matanglawin Awards for Modern Arts in the 2020 Fourth of July Virtual Exhibit. Meet Sam: https://youtu.be/Q6ZJPnp0R4Q
Reynan Dingal is our People's Choice Awardee at the 2020 Fourth of July Virtual Exhibit. His grandfather, an artist and a sculptor, inspired him to participate in art exhibits and competitions, after he graduated with a Nursing degree and passed the licensure exam in 2008. Winning the Juror's Choice Award at Philippine Art Awards (Visayas) and President's Choice Award during the 3rd GSIS National Watercolor Competition marked his entry to a full time career. His series Birds in the City cockfighting scene generated the most People's Choice votes. Meet Reynan: https://youtu.be/iiMXCDXvFb8
An Iliganon-Cebuano artist, Jean "Govinda" Marquesto is a self-taught visual and theatre artist-musician. As a biology graduate, he is captivated by wild life and the Philippine culture, and uses them as recurring themes. He is also influenced by Dadaism, cubism figurative abstraction. Finalist in the 2018 International artist competition in Taipei, Taiwan.Honorable mention at the Mother May 2020 juried virtual art exhibit by Art Works Inc. at Richmond,VA. Meet Govinda Jean: https://youtu.be/EcU9bxfbLDM
“Everywhere there is beauty to behold, an artisan’s hands are just mere instruments in shaping and molding the magnificence around him. Creating art and functionality is the ultimate goal.” Eugie comes from generations of carpenters in Bulacan, he learned from his father how to choose the quality of wood and incorporates functionality in his art. He teaches history, Philippine government and political science. Watch his Facebook interview. Meet Eugie: https://youtu.be/wUvivzWMoZ8
An art instructor for children, Carl assisted our Mangyan Art Reach 2020 at Puerto Galera, a protege of our adviser Otto Neri, based at Antipolo, he was twice a finalist at 43rd and 44th Shell National Art Competition, 4th placer at Avida 3D Art Competition, qualifying partiicpant at GSIS, Metrobank and Art Petron national level competitions. Meet Carlmel: https://youtu.be/aEiALDqE-4U
Greta started a group of plein air artists at Central Park, New York where she holds sessions every week. She recently joined the Florence Academy to embark in realism style of portraiture, an added feather to her long line of accomplishments , from her solo exhibits at Manila to working as a curator at Boca Raton, until she settled in New York in 2008, where she founded the non-profit meet up for plein air artists. She is a member of the Society of Philippine American Artists holding exhibit every year.
Ramel Castillo is a graduate of Advertising and Public relation in Polytechnic University of the Philippines. He continuously participates in local group shows since 2013 and work as freelance photographer, graphic artist, and a painter. His art focuses on ape which, for him, symbolizes common people in the society. He executes his ideas with apes as main subject. Most of his painting reflects the daily lives of the Filipinos. Ramel is a volunteer art instructor at our Mangyan Art Reach 2020. Meet Ramel: https://youtu.be/Js0z25ojBiY
Jes is a Philippine-based professional artist specializing in abstract expressionism. He obtained his bachelor of fine arts from UP College of Fine Arts in 2002. His works have been exhibited in the Philippines, Germany and the United States, from California and Washington in the West to New York and New Jersey in the East. He bagged the grand prize of the Second Semi-Annual Abstract Art Competition by the Art Association of the Philippines in 2007, Finalist to the 1st Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Art Competition (2011) and Finalist to the Shell National Arts Competition (1989 & 1992). Meet Jes: https://youtu.be/rvb30KdHSfg
Starting from his humble beginning as an industrial welder doing iron works, Marlon’s flare for action figures led him to his creative figurative art using metal . He brought to life heroes of the past such as revolutionary war and combat figures. Lately, he started incorporating electrical lighting for his bigger than life robots, a rare talent worthy of recognition.
Melver earned his Bachelors degree in Fine Arts at the University of San Carlos, Cebu, won several awards in art competitions. He attended art residency program at Le100 ECS-Establishment culturel solire in Paris, France in 2013 and participated an art exhibition, finalist in the competition-exhibit at the Art revolution Taipei April 23, 2019.
Helen Dimaya took up Fine Arts, major in Advertising at the University of the East. She also studied at the Philippine School of Interior Design (PSID) and opened an interior design firm that specializes in furniture. In the U.S., she did restoration work on old buildings and interior-designed private homes. Helen’s passion for outdoor painting bore fruit when she won in the En Plein Air Easton Quick Draw in 2015, a competition sponsored by the Chesapeake Art Gallery in Maryland and the Avalon Foundation.
Jan Elaine Soriano is a self-taught artist born and raised in the Philippines. Her recent collection of artworks, “Filipino”, is inspired by her childhood memories of growing up in the Philippines. Elaine is currently a full-time Ph.D. in neuroscience student at the University of Calgary. Her long-term career goal is to become a research professor. At the same time, she plans on expressing her creative side, while also highlighting the beautiful elements of her home country, Philippines, through her paintings. Meet Jan: https://youtu.be/u_K9IeNSmSU
Joel R. Francisco, graduated in Fine Arts at Far Eastern University and worked for several years as a designer for Bench Philippines. Design graphics for Morning Star NY, 2009 and member of Society of Philippine American Artist, 2019 and had group exhibitions around NYC. He is also a performing artist who manages a band. Joel actively volunteers to EEC charitable causes at NYC.
WE CAN DO IT-- gallery-wrapped canvas prints 16”x 20”will be given away for donations of $100 and above, shipping is included. 100% of proceeds will benefit our food drive for frontliners and displaced workers. Donate here. Call or text 929-333-5657 for delivery instructions.
