Watercolor artists take centerstage in ARTablado Robinsons Antipolo from June 1  – 15, with the exhibit “Fluid Vision.”

Since its inception in 2020, ARTablado, a Robinsons Land initiative, has been supporting Filipino artists and bringing their work closer to people. ARTablado, with its art stages in Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Antipolo, Summit Ridge Tagaytay and Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila, has been showcasing not just Filipino talent but also different kinds of medium and artistic expressions.

With “Fluid Vision,” ARTablado shines the spotlight on watercolor by presenting the work of 40 artists who have mastered what is considered to be the most challenging medium to paint with. It’s the first time ARTablado in Robinsons Antipolo is presenting an all-watercolor exhibit.

“For seasoned art lovers and artists alike, watercolor has always been found to be daunting and difficult to learn, much more to master,” said Jinky Rayo, curator of “Fluid Vision” and leader of the art group Artistica PH. “Yet, for the brave and courageous among us, it is also the most gratifying and intriguing.”

Her own watercolor journey started in 2012. Today, she is recognized as an international watercolor artist and is one of the 40 artists who are part of “Fluid Vision.”

The watercolor art show presents well-known and rising Filipino watercolorists from around the country, members of Artistica Ph, which has evolved from the all-women Colores de Mujeres art group to include male artists who were also part of the Philippine Guild of Watercolorists.

Rayo, founding member and former president of the Philippine Guild of Watercolorists and International Watercolor Society Philippines, said, “The collection embodies enthralling works done in watercolor that will captivate the hearts and minds of art enthusiasts who have a peculiar love relationship with the medium, and intends to summon the hearts of the audience who have yet to discover the ethereal beauty produced only by watercolor.”

She shared that in Europe, China, Japan, Korea, and the US, watercolor art is highly regarded and sells at higher prices. They hope that their show will inspire an appreciation and respect for watercolor in the country and they chose to hold their show in ARTablado Robinsons Antipolo for this reason.

“ARTablado is known to be so supportive of the Philippine art community and we believe it is a strategic venue to showcase watercolor artworks so that more Filipinos can learn to love and appreciate watercolor better and so we can educate the Philippine community on the beauty of watercolor art.”

People can view and purchase the artworks that will be on display. “Fluid Vision” features a wide array of subjects—from landscapes and still life to portraits, floral and abstract.

The artists featured all have their own love stories with watercolor.

Sarah Liuson Ongsun discovered her passion for art and watercolor painting in 2015. Judy Liuson’s journey started with Chinese painting and then oil and acrylic before she ventured into watercolor. Full-time painter and designer Millet Galeos-Sacerdoti turned to art as therapy after retiring from the corporate world at the age of 40. Joanne Cariaso-Gacayan’s watercolor journey started during a leisurely painting session with her sons. April Dy, a wife and mother of three, calls art “one of the best accidents” that ever happened in her life. Susan A. Mendoza considers painting a meditative and restorative practice. Jofel Bañez, a visual artist, wife and mom of two from Marilao, conducts online watercolor classes for kids during summer.  Also a wife and mom of two, Ana Maria Sheila Quisumbing-Bondoc’s love of painting was nurtured at an early age by her father who also dabbled in acrylic and oil painting.

Menchie Alunan Vitente started her artistic journey with watercolor florals at the age of 49. Nina Custodio calls painting “an extension of who I am and how I feel about each day I am in this world.” Imelda Tagudar’s scenic town of Surigao Del Sur inspired her eye for color. Glena M. Plan and her siblings taught themselves how to draw and paint as they grew up together in Manila. For Redg Fernandez, a stroke survivor, painting with watercolors has become a source of motivation and has played an essential role in his healing process. Rolly Delos Santos, who prefers to be called Tito Rolly, is a retired art teacher from De La Salle Zobel School and a published author. 

Participating artists also include Caloy Gabuco, an artist from Mindoro Oriental; interior designer and freelance artist Cher Cabula-Mendoza; Zata Aquino who works primarily in the impressionist style; Inna Naanep Vitasa, a self-taught artist who studied accountancy; Marie C. Franco who went from professional industrial engineer to professional watercolorist; multimedia artist and metal smith Marj Sula-Aquino, who does ceramic art and paints in watercolor, soft pastels, acrylic, and oil; Romina Melissa Dayanghirang who started painting as a hobby; Kristine Joy Diaz-Teston who is both an artist and a lawyer; Vanessa Bautista, an abstract artist from Navotas City; former nurse Yana Orais; Nani Gacho who started painting long before he studied architecture; doctors and self-taught artists Bids P. Llorin-Luna, Cecilia Lagrosa-Manuel and Aileen Barreiro; and Teddy ”ULAP” Santos, an Industrial Design graduate and self-taught painter.

Joining them are Wendy Dizon Rondaris, an impressionist and expressionist visual artist from Quezon City; Suklin Chang Peña, Beth Robles and Hemy Fabay who love painting flowers; Joseph K. Reyes who juggles his day job in IT and his passion for art; Melanie Reyes Tuquet from Nueva Ecija, who has been painting in watercolor since 2018; Anne Michelle Mitiam, an artist, musician, dancer, gamelan instructor, potter and baker; Jirah Millano, a 25-year-old watercolorist from Pasay City; and Dette  Argüelles-Ramos, a visual artist who loves watercolor painting, crafts, and art playdates with friends.

Rayo said, “To appreciate watercolor art is to be transported to another world and dimension of our soul… One has to seep into the colors and hues to understand the heart of the artists and the medium. This is our vision. Our goal. That the art and passion of the artists in this show will be understood, fueled by common love for the medium and the supremacy of the medium on its own.”

“Fluid Vision” runs in ARTablado Robinsons Antipolo until June 15.