Why do you spend time doing miniature works of art?
As a fan of small things, I love tiny objects, minute stuff and micro creations. I really love working on miniature art. It all started last 2016, when I did a micro painting series. It took me a long time to complete the millimeter art collection which I called “MagnifEyed”. I enjoyed making tiny paintings for my social media followers and I didn’t expect to have any of my works recognized and featured here and abroad. It made me a proud Filipino artist. That’s when I realized that small works of art can make it big in the art scene.
My obsession with miniatures grew when I joined a clay sculpting workshop in 2017. I invested my time learning how to make and bake fake food. For quite some time, I tried exploring the world of miniature food making. Sometimes I failed, but that didn’t stop me from learning. This new hobby teaches me to be more patient, more creative and more dedicated.
Can you tell what lies behind some of your art work?
Observing the works of some international miniature food artists online, inspires me a lot. Most of my tiny food creations feature Filipino food dishes. It’s a way of introducing the Filipino culture through art. I always challenge myself when I create fake food. To make it more realistic, it has to be really detailed. It’s made of polymer clay so it has to look edible and delicious. And as much as possible, I want to make it smaller every time I sit down at my work station.
What message do you want to impart through such an art?
I remain always amazed and impressed by different forms of art. Big or small, flat or 3d, colorful or monochromatic — there will always be a story to tell. One can relate if one knows how to narrate. Doing small artworks has a magnetic effect. It will make you spend more time
to look and stare at, to value and to appreciate. It will make you wonder. It can make you feel better. I always want to have a connection to my audience and so I came up with a quote, “Create to connect. Share to inspire.”
Can you share with us some impressions of those who have seen your art-work?
Knowing how to listen to people’s reactions makes me a better artist. They will tell me if my art looks real or not. Their comments make me happy and feel accomplished. I love it when they realize that it’s not a real food. I smile when they say it looks appetizing and mouth-watering.
For me, it’s a big accomplishment when I fool people’s eyes with my miniature food creations but I also felt bad for those Filipinos living abroad. Every time I post a Filipino dish, it makes them miss our country a lot. But on a brighter side, it also makes them feel happy to recall good memories connected to that certain type of food. Some send heart-warming messages of love and support. Knowing that someone is inspired because of my creation makes me want to do more.
Where do you or where have you done your exhibits? Can you tell us something about it?
It’s a big thing for artists to exhibit their work in public and I had that time when I felt so blessed to share my works in different places in the Philippines. My first art exhibition was in Iligan City in Mindanao where I showcased my first series called “Inkterlace”, a form of doodle art made by interlacing ink strokes to form intricate figures. I also held a mini exhibition in Laguna for a painting series that I called “Kopinta” where I used coffee to paint portraits.
Both series were also featured together with my other artworks in my very first solo exhibition entitled “ARTpreciation” held in Pasig City Museum. I also became a part of a group exhibition called “Embrace”, that was displayed in Valenzuela, Hagonoy and Pasig.
Not having a physical gallery, I made an online art gallery which I call “ARTCETERO” (Art + Etcetera + Hero) which is also my artist’s pen name (pseudonym). It is a venue for sharing and inspiring where I post my works and interacts with my followers. Visitors can browse my art collections online at www.facebook.com/artcetero or in my Instagram account @iamheroangeles.
If you wish to add more, or say something about your art work, your latest initiatives and advocacies you may also kindly share with us…
I felt so honored when I was recognized by the National Consumers Affairs Foundation
(ACAF) as “2015 Dangal ng Bayan Outstanding Visual Artist Advocate” and Bahay Kubo ng Sining Foundation Inc. (BaKuSi Foundation) as “2016 Natatanging Pintor na Tagataguyod ng Sining Biswal.” The immeasurable support I’m receiving encouraged me to develop a special connection with my audience. Having as my goal to communicate and to extend help to people through my art inspires me with great energy.
thank God always for the talent he gave me. Because of this gift, I have learned a lot from just making artworks — mixing colors while blending emotions, sketching dreams while drawing smiles, and most importantly, embracing hope while giving inspiration. This has helped me to have bigger goals in fulfilling my dream to become a better artist and person.
I don’t want to stop exploring this craft. I learn a lot when I create art and I’m just so grateful that I want to continue to paint different thoughts, draw vivid imaginations, and splash colors to emotions. I want to build a stronger feel with a motivating effect through my works. I want to use a new approach to promote art.
