Encountering an Artist for a Kin the First Time

Sharing the same name, in my case – my Mother’s last name when she was still single, with that of another who uses it as his last name, brings a lot of benefits. Among which include instant name recognition, acquaintance, familiarity, and relative comfort behind the idea that both of you share something in common. And there’s more, as Victor Espinosa, is an expressive visual artist whose works have to be viewed face-to-face to be clearly seen and greatly appreciated. I have to say, the links to his Facebook account do not give the needed justice to the brilliance and vividness of his works, which can be experienced when viewed the first time in actual form. The online copies become immaterial.

During our first meet up inside Macy’s first branch flagship store on 34th Street and 7th Avenue, I was happy to have been shown the actual paintings themselves, framed simply that helped in highlighting the colors embedded into the pictures as they are displayed before me as they are, and not through photographs. Of course, it must be the lack of the best use of photographic technology that makes the paintings look dull on photos. But here’s a mental note I’m giving myself: “I have to see more of the forthcoming works of my cousin, Bong (as he’s called by most), whenever I got the chance.”

We met the first time online, with Bong sending a kindly note about the possibility of us being related. There’s no hesitancy on my part, as I would like to believe we’re related, as we both hail from the Philippines. Of course, we were born and raised in different parts of the archipelago. And it will probably take several sessions on genealogy before we can confirm the links, and all those connections. But for now, it does not matter.

Bong’s on his second fourth visit to the USA, here in East Coast, where this time, we got the chance to meet up, and become more acquainted personally other than mainly thru online means. He’s done numerous exhibits, including one at the Philippine Center at the Consulate here in New York City. Currently, he’s working on paintings in the house where he stays, a location that inspires him and provides him materials to keep on working as an artist. Somewhere in South Orange, New Jersey, a mentor has provided him with the space to paint and work on his projects. I can just imagine all the other works that may have been stirring up in his mind now. This mentor has recognized the talent Bong has, that certainly has resulted to more works now in the offing.

Bong has followed the typical route of pursuing the corporate world by spending at least six years in a firm in Makati, the Philippines’ leading central business district. He has since then moved on spending full time pursuing his art. His father, also a painter, must have influenced him a lot with his choice of trade, as can be imagined. But during our talk, I noted down how he made deliberate steps to continuously cultivate his art. He’s notably protective of his works, expressing concerns on giving signals to dilettantes out there being observed to be just out to copy other artists so as to claim much appreciated recognition as their own, in one (mischievous or can be without bad intention apparently) form or another. In the world of art, a lot of copying, apparently, takes place. Its more appropriate word is “imitation,” which happens to be greatest form of flattery. The problem occurs when dilettantes (and others like them) would try to project their own deep seated dreams and frustrations on artists like Bong who has gone out of his way to pursue his art, his calling, no matter what challenges lie on the path. They may try to dictate their own dreams to artists like Bong who are now living out the artist’s dream.

But we need to remember, the artist’s path is mostly a lonesome one. It’s certainly a singular path that one has to take lead, following inner and divinely inspired directions. This usually starts by leading oneself to recognizing, accomplishing, and continuously working on one’s calling (some call this “purpose”) in life. Others who wish to follow have to take the path, too. But, fortunately, this path is much of an individualized one - the path that only the artist concerned, involved can recognize and pursue. Take note of how Bong has pursued his artist’s path.

The two paintings, as shown in the pictures using the limited capacities of my celfone, highlight, as least for now in digital form the sparkling bead-like hues of Bong’s deft hands. To repeat: they actually shimmer far, far brighter in actual state, than when shown on pictures. I noted how extensively time consuming Bong must have spent on each of these paintings. They sparkle without the use of cheap glitters, and they can very well stand on their own (and may beautifully highlight a private room or another space). They appear to be beaded in a microscopic way. Bong loves nature, and thus reflected on the paintings. And I see how inspired he must have been while working on these paintings.

Also, the drawings Bong showed me of human figures in different diminutive-like poses, and done on hand-made paper look marvelous, too! Mostly in black ink with definite line strokes, they look solid and expressive in their measurements. They’ll hopefully be put in frames, eventually. Or you can actually acquire one or two pieces, when you get the opportunity to be shown them, and have them framed yourself. I just have a hunch, “there are surely more of the finest-looking contemporary paintings to come from Bong.”

From Bong's Paintings

From Bong's Paintings

From Bong's Paintings

From Bong's Paintings

From Bong's Paintings