THEMES
~ Galleria Filipiniana: Images of Philippines, Ancient/Tribal elements, Baybayin (Alibata) artwork
~ Gallery II: Dreamlike, Enchanted Visions and Whimsical themes, among other things.
FAVORITE MEDIA:
~ Coffee and/or Wine on watercolor paper
~ Wire, gems, seaglass, beads, rocks and found objects for wire-wrapping projects
~ Acrylic, oil pastels, ephemera and found objects for mixed media collages
PRODUCTS:
~ Paintings on watercolor paper, art posters and glicee prints, notecards, wearable art apparel; traditional and wire-wrapped jewelry, mobile wire arts.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
It was purely instinctive and intuitive, coupled by a burning desire…a habitual urge to create images on paper.
It started one ordinary day at work, with my morning cup of black coffee resting on a piece of scratch paper…I kept staring at the coffee stains and rings between sips. Then without thinking, dipped my pencil in my cup, and started drawing with it.
There was an instant magical feeling of oneness. My body and soul, finally sharing nourishment from a single cup. It was a special moment where my reality and all my dreams collided, in a very wonderful way.
The wine, therefore, followed suit.
INSPIRATION
There are many artists that inspire me. It might seem very cliché for me to say this but my favorites are really Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo. I can stare at their works for hours and my favorites are the raw sketches in their notebooks.
The one whose story moves me the most is Vincent Van Gogh. The emotional appeal perhaps? A slight feeling of resonation? The troubled soul stares back at me as my eyes linger on his works.
I truly respect Philippines’ very own Juan Luna and Félix Resurrección Hidalgo. I’m so proud of them!
I also appreciate Gat Jose Rizal’s few works, albeit not masterpieces. He is my “Renaissance Man”. My Idol. My Hero. Enough said.
Fernando Amorsolo. Aaaah, his refreshing illuminated landscapes and realistic portrayals of Filipino women, and the Philippine sunlight captured and immortalized forever on his canvas. A challenging feat I have yet to conquer. Hopefully.
I also admire the works of Philippine contemporary artist Antonio Leaño. I truly adore (and shall I say, envy) his mixed media works incorporating imagery from Philippine Spanish colonial past amalgamated with archaic elements and texture.
My Number One inspiration is someone who assured me that the realization of my dreams and everything my heart yearns for is just some brushstrokes away… Sunshine Plata. When I first discovered coffee painting, I researched (yes, “googled”) and discovered this Filipina coffee painter whose works are now recognized worldwide like by Ripley’s and Martha Stewart. I sent her an email and that was the start of our friendly correspondence. I don’t just admire her for her creativity and talent. In fact, I appreciate her humility and generosity the most…her willingess to share everything to an amateur like me. She has selflessly shared tips on this medium that we both love and she continues to encourage me to this day. She keeps me going. She motivates me. Her advocacy is: “To make coffee accessible to all, anywhere in the world — regardless of race, religion or political belief, whether rich or poor — as a unique medium in the creative expression of art.” Thank you, Shinee!
DEDICATION
All my works are dedicated to…
…my mom who believes so much in me,
…my sisters who appreciate my works,
…my dad who shares my passion, the one who gave the artistic blood that runs through my veins,
…all the other artists in my family: my godfather who draws and paints in between performing surgeries; cousins — a big bunch of artists: writers, painters, photographers, poets, musicians, etc.,
…my bestfriend Ali who I met in the Artists’ Circle in high school circa 1988, and remains to be a great source of love, sanity and strength across the miles and after all these years.
…my other bestfriend Flo, for always kicking my b*tt when I procrastinate on my projects.
…..my daughter Aj who gave me a chance to become a mom, including the very fulfilling responsibilities that come with it,
…my son Cody, my little agent in heaven. People only dream of angels, I held one in my hands!
…my husband Al who supports anything and everything that I want to do in life no matter how crazy it could be.
…God who created me and gave me life, and blessed me with skills to share to the world.
AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM!
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Shared by Sunshine Plata:
LETTER OF HIS HOLINESS
POPE JOHN PAUL II
TO ARTISTS
1999
“To all who are passionately dedicated
to the search for new “epiphanies” of beauty
so that through their creative work as artists
they may offer these as gifts to the world.
“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Gn 1:31)
