I am inspired by color, texture, depth, and random or natural compositions.  I am just as interested in the shapes of objects as the shapes or spaces between objects. The layered textures and subtle color variations of leaves on a tree, the sun's reflection on petals of a flower, the glow of seedlings as they push through the earth, the placement of a lily pad upon the water, reveal a story that I translate into a painting.  I work in different mediums and use different techniques – encaustic, printmaking, oil, acrylic, ink, oil pastels – but the common denominator is nature.     

I paint or print in layers. I start with an idea in mind, from an image that resonated during one of my daily walks.  I use razor blades, carving tools, heat gun or blow torch, bristle brushes, oil sticks, add and subtract shapes, textures, and colors, to the layer beneath, until a whole, unified picture emerges.  The creative process is a relationship between myself and my painting, a constant give and take. 

Painting provides a strong connection to my mother and late mother-in-law. Both were artists that worked with heat and pigmented wax. My mother, a retired teacher and ikebana artist, called her technique “melted crayons.” My late mother-in-law was a graphic designer, painter, and encaustic artist.  Although our styles are different, strong use of color and botanical themes is the common thread that binds us together.    

Bio

I am an artist and teacher.  I immigrated from the Philippines to the US with my family when I was 14 and later studied art at the Center for Art and Design in Detroit and at Columbia College in Chicago. My engagement in arts education began with the Seattle Children's Museum over twenty years ago.  For the past ten years I have taught youth in partnership with Arts Corps, for which I am also a board member, the Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Public Schools, Highline School District and the Creative Advantage.  I currently live in Seattle with my husband, two sons and our dog.