I find inspiration in my personal experience and often use myself and my family to tell a narrative. Previously, I would always draw static portraits in front of a blank background, with the only intention of making the characters look visually pleasing. I did little planning and gave little thought to what I wanted to show and why. I believe that it is important to me to create something that I care about and do so in an engaging way.
In my art process, I like to take the time to brainstorm and compose my paintings, to bring out all the possibilities before starting to paint. I like to reference old photos and paintings from Caravaggio, Vermeer, Velasquez, and many more. Music also influences how I approach painting. Depending on the type of mood I want to achieve in my painting, I listen to music that matches. Although oil painting is my main choice of medium, I would like to explore other mediums such as watercolor and acrylic in the future.
Cultural identity is the core idea in my work. As a Filipino raised in America, I feel as though I have a disconnect with my Filipino roots, despite growing up in a Filipino household. Through this process of researching and creating these paintings, I can learn more about myself and what it means to be a Filipino American. Ultimately, I want to continue creating art that tells a narrative about myself and the things I care about.
