As today is the feast of the Epiphany and thus the official end of the Christmas season, it's probably a good time as any to update everyone on this annual bulletin. Also, just about everyone whom we might have sent our Christmas card to should have received it by now, so this should no longer spoil any surprises.
Selecting the artwork for our 2007 family Christmas card was actually easier than we anticipated. Around mid-year, we were introduced to Francis Nación by one of the Bulacan artists whom we regularly commission works from. While Francis is not himself from Bulacan, he is just 26 years old, and so fits the "young" criterion that we had set for the selection of the Christmas artist.
The biographical note printed on the back of the final Christmas card is a good yet brief introduction to the artist:
Francisco Tejada Nación, Jr. was born in Kalibo, Aklan in 1981. The youngest of eight, he has been drawing since the age of four. Despite majoring in Computer Engineering at the University of Baguio, Francis nonetheless pursued art studies while at college. In 2006 he started to apprentice with Fernando Sena, and joined the Tuesday Group of Artists. In early 2007 he also joined the Saturday Group of Artists, which includes Mauro Malang Santos, whom he greatly admires. To this day, this young artist continues to develop his own unique artistic style, characterized by, among other things, etching and scraping. Francis hopes t open his first one-man shown in 2008. Contact: f_nacionjr@yahoo.com
Francisco Tejada Nación, Jr. was born in Kalibo, Aklan in 1981. The youngest of eight, he has been drawing since the age of four. Despite majoring in Computer Engineering at the University of Baguio, Francis nonetheless pursued art studies while at college. In 2006 he started to apprentice with Fernando Sena, and joined the Tuesday Group of Artists. In early 2007 he also joined the Saturday Group of Artists, which includes Mauro Malang Santos, whom he greatly admires. To this day, this young artist continues to develop his own unique artistic style, characterized by, among other things, etching and scraping. Francis hopes t open his first one-man shown in 2008. Contact: f_nacionjr@yahoo.com
Francis’ rather unique style – etching and scraping – lends real texture to what would otherwise be a normal plane of colors.
His human figures are unique too – their partially-scratched visages make them appear mysterious without being too scary-looking.
Francis had initially proposed three subjects for our Christmas card – “Noche Buena,” a family seated around the Christmas Midnight Meal;
“Parol,” a family positioned outside their Parol-decorated home;
and “Karoling,” featuring carolers-cum-fruit vendors.
After several rounds of discussion, we converged on what now appears to be a composite of all three studies. The final “Karoling” is a colorful and happy rendition of what potentially could have been a trite subject. And, as requested, Francis pulled out all the stops in the “Christmas colors” department.
The original artwork is in mixed media, measures 18” x 24”, and has since been professionally framed under a pane of protective glass.
More recently, Francis proposed a Holy Family subject for us. Here’s the study:
And the final artwork, measuring 24” x 18”, is here:
Finally, the artist himself looks sufficiently “artistic” in person:
Although, to be fair, he doesn’t look this scary in real life – he pleads illness when these photos were taken. Yeah, right. Ha ha ha.
A final greeting to All!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! /
Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon!
from the Veron-Dulay-Cloma Family of Bulacan and Manila, the Philippines.
Originally published on 6 January 2008. All text and photos copyright ©2008 by Leo D Cloma. The moral right of Leo D Cloma to be identified as the author of this work has been asseerted.
meisterguysmiley wrote on Jan 7, '08
I didn't realize that these paintings were actually commissioned by your family for those beautiful Christmas cards you sent out.
The two themes are great, I'm especially amazed by the detail on the clothes of his characters! Thanks again. |
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