Art with the Scent of Pines

In the eyes of a genuine artist the universe is ever full of rhythmic beauty. And even the worst of crises and turmoils in our world cannot disturb this wonder of creation. Araceli Limcaco Dans (Cheloy to her friends), one of the foremost Filipino painters today, believes that one can take solace in the thought that, come what may, there will always be "a little bit of heaven around us if we only stop, look and feel, maybe touch and smell the flowers". She enjoins her fellow artists to use their talent to make this world a better place to live in. "For art is a tribute to the beauty of nature. It is an expression of our humanity."

Visibly, she is enthused. "I’ve felt an affinity to people who have a thirst to grow in their art, particularly sculptors and painters. By thirst, I mean that certain parched feeling that there is so much more to learn and we can’t absorb everything there is to learn unless one simplifies oneself into an innocent child who knows nothing but wants to learn everything."

So it comes as no surprise that she has encouraged a group of eight artists who are about to paint the town red, as the cliche goes. Two of the artists are senior citizens and the rest are below 40 or in their 40s. Two women and six men; two sculptors and six painters.

Their works will be on view in an exhibit dubbed "Guhit" at the Baguio Country Club from March 24 to April 10. For beneficiary they have chosen an organization whose members, like themselves, have bonded with one another. It is called akap (Alay sa Kapatid International Foundation) which means, "to embrace". Made up of women in the cloth and other religious as well as the lay, its mission is the upliftment and eventual realization of fullness of life by the less fortunate in Baguio–the farmers and marginalized families in the Cordilleras. At the helm of the organization is Sister Esther Maria Cuvin, ssps.

"The exhibit was first conceived by Atty. Federico Agcaoili and his wife," Cheloy recalls. "Sometime last year they stopped by our staff house in Baguio and saw five of us painting with varied subjects and styles. They seemed quite impressed and the idea dawned on them: Why not exhibit in the Baguio Country Club?"

More recently, the group, all fired up, has added a lecture-and-demo which they plan to fit into the first week of the exhibit (March 26-30).

Cheloy brings to "Guhit" four decades of experience after graduating from the UP where such eminent artists as Fernando Amorsolo and Guillermo Tolentino mentored her. She is widely recognized for her calado–a fine fabric cloth, interspersed with such varied subjects as flowers, seashells, driftwood and other scraps of cloth. She has captured the spirit of the Filipino in her graceful painting of flowers and lace.

Another woman among the eight exhibitors, Maria Luisa Fernando, was a year behind Cheloy at the State University. She has accomplished feats as an art education instructor at the National Teacher’s College and as art instructor at the Philippine Women’s University. "A Tribute to Amorsolo", held at the UP College of Fine Arts Gallery, demonstrated her ability to convey the soul of her subject. Art lovers in Baguio, the city of flowers, will enjoy her art pieces in "Guhit" for her forte is flowers.

Joven Ignacio, one of the younger exhibiting artists, is a British Council Scholar. He is an architect and building science professor at the College of Architecture of UP. Three years ago, he revealed his passion for wildlife, especially exotic Philippine birds, in his first solo exhibit called "First Flight". The meditative quality of his paintings stirred the poet in the viewer and impressed Cheloy and National Artist Napoleon Abueva. Not long after, he mounted his second solo exhibit called "Vanishing Point" while actively participating in the Green Architecture Movement of the United Architects of the Philippines. His renderings in watercolor were spontaneous and exuberant, reflecting his creativity and good taste.

Tito Sanchez, who graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from UP, appeals to his viewers with the sweeping movement and the grace of the human form. He has won the Grand Prize for sculpture in the Arts Association of the Philippines Annual Art Competition, besides several top prizes in other tilts. Highly spiritual and humble, he infused the fluidity of life into his works, which have a spiritual ambiance. He brings out the intangible, abstract quality in art pieces that are realistic.

Azor Pazcoguin grew up surrounded by art in his father’s gallery in Mabini. He took up BS Physical Therapy at the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay intending to become a doctor He was assigned to Cheloy as physical therapist in the year 2000 after a major spine operation. It was during this time that Azor found himself expressing his desire to become a good painter. He reiterated his longing to improve his craftsmanship and to produce high quality original art works. He was so in love with painting that his works turned out beautiful and these were sold immediately. Azor has exhibited in several group shows. At present, his interest is in painting small town scenes that exude fresh air, much like the "Doon po sa amin" scenery. He uses the palette knife to show tactile contrast. A free spirit by nature, his development and diligence are seen in his oil paintings.

The seventh child of a master carpenter, Aladin Antiqueño was a pensive and lonely boy. He finished his studies with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Major in Painting, at the PWU Institute of Fine Arts and Design. Cheloy remembers being captivated by his almost photographic style when a colleague invited her to see his exhibit at the British Information Center in 2000. Alan expresses the innocence and simplicity of childhood. His rendering of the Philippine sun and foliage is like no other. He is a very inspiring and methodical worker. Even his lifestyle is systematized. His art materials are neatly arranged according to priority needs. Alan has garnered several awards with his paintings of children.

A style so original and beautiful, a rare combination of sculpture and painting. This describes Angelo Baldemor’s art pieces. Wood carvings of rice grain on bilaos, suman, mangoes, bananas, pineapple, garlic, onions, tomatoes, tinapa, corn in high and low relief with native bayongs, baskets and wooden utensils; chicken, carabaos, the sunflower, all painted with opulent colors reflect the ambience of the quaint carving town of Paete and its love for fiestas and colorful processions of hand-carved wooden santos.

Among Lito’s many awards and distinctions are juror’s choice at the 1995 aap Annual Art Competition for sculpture and the 1998 Philippine representative for the workshop and exhibition of Indian and Southeast Asian Tribal and Folk Art in Bhopal, India.

Felipe Mayoya and his wife Emily, recounts Cheloy, started out as caretakers in their company staff house in Baguio. "Philip as we call him, was already painting when we employed them in 1985. Every time I went to Baguio, he would ask me so many questions. His curiosity and desire to improve were insatiable."

Having been a gardener for 30 years in Baguio, he is known for his unique still-life paintings that portray garden blooms as well as horticulturists’ tools, all in a style termed pointillism. He has held three one man exhibits in Manila. The first was in Gallery Y, the second in Metropolitan Art Gallery in Shangri-La Edsa. In both exhibits, his paintings were sold-out. His third was held in Metropolitan Art Gallery at SM Megamall.

In "Guhit", the artists’ involvement with the underdogs in present Philippine society comes to the fore. But this is not new in Cheloy’s agenda. It was in the early ’60s that she first plunged into the scene of special persons–the handicapped and mentally deficient. She inspired them to cultivate their interests and hidden talents and painting through the Creative Exchange Program (with the Cupertino enrollees and Ateneo Graders exchanging art works) which she spearheaded. A few months ago, she came full circle when the Bridges Foundation, a school for special children, became the beneficiary of her exhibit. She does not mince words when she says, "Art is an expression of our humanity."