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I’ve always been curious as to how it feels to be sketched. And so it became a baptism of sorts when I joined a select media group who got sketched by Cebuano visual artist Anthony Fermin. The “Titanic” scene wherein actress Kate Winslet, a picture of composure despite the well, lack of garments, as she was sketched by Leonardo DiCaprio, sprung to mind.

In reality, it actually spells hard work for the model (and more so for the artist). As the “model,” I realized that you should be in your best behavior—stay put and follow instructions. It can be unnerving really to sit still under the scrutiny of the artist. But it can be fun, too. When all’s finished and done—it’s worth it.

Anthony Fermin enjoys sketching faces of people—drawing out compelling nuances and surprising angles and putting them into paper. He will put on display his artworks via “Sketches and Brews” tomorrow, May 18, beginning 5:30pm at the quaint coffee shop Café Miro in Lahug. These include sketches of children “in medium sizes and few major works in acrylic.”

Another highlight will be sketches of places that he and his wife, Evan, a former hotel sales manager who’s now into floral design and wedding styling, have been to. Explains Fermin, “My wife and I love to travel. Evan has learned to love Cebu and I have fallen in love with her hometown in Negros Occidental. There are so many interesting places there, particularly Silay City, Bacolod, etc. Also we’ve been to Siquijor, Bohol, Iloilo, and Dumaguete, Bais, Tanjay and other places in Negros Oriental.

 “We will also include our artist collection. It is comprised of the sketches of my travel in Europe in 2000,” adds Fermin.

The couple decided to mount the mini-show at Café Miro because its owner and chef, Marlyn Torres-Ong, is a friend, and one who truly appreciates art. Café Miro is, in fact, named after the Spanish painter and sculptor Joan Miro. The Fine Arts graduate from the University of the Philippines-Cebu took up culinary arts (specializing in desserts) in the US. She can whip up elaborate plated desserts, which Fermin himself describes as another form of art.

I think it’s a good tandem as well—sketches and brews, art and coffee shops. Coffee shops are like the extension of this generation’s living room; it’s everybody’s favorite hangout. In other words, displaying somebody’s artworks is also one way to educate a more diverse audience (and not just those drawn to galleries) about art.

For more information, you may call Evan at 0918-6144924/0922-8720922 or telefax 232-3831. For a glimpse of Anthony Fermin’s artworks, log on to www.artmajeur.com/ferminarts. Café Miro is located at MIT Building (Metrobank), Lahug.