O'Hara X Torre: An Art Exhibit

Sharla O'Hara with her Oil and Canvass 

Sharla O'Hara and I go way back. We were friends back in Gradeschool and during this time we were all into Anime and drew in the Japanese Anime style. I say "drew" because I no longer draw now and that's probably something that new acquaintances don't know about me. I guess you can say that the writer took over the budding artist, but I guess my mom shot that horse in the face a long time ago.

Although she did let me take art classes back when we could afford it, I guess I'm writing that now so you guys know that my love and appreciation for the arts has deep roots, it's in my family and in my blood and even if I didn't get to pursue it professionally or as a hobby, I took up another form of the arts (so to speak) which is writing- so now I get to write about Art :)

Sharla's Illusion Series. She worked with a 'Disco Ball' Board. 

By the way, Paul also has some art skills tucked away, like me it was the photographer who took over the artist. I guess it's all good coz as they say: "If you chase two rabbits you'll wind up with nothing for dinner". 

It was only recently that Paul and I started to go to galleries and attend exhibits (as you've probably seen in the posts) and we want to make it more of a habit and hope to get to see more art - I guess we're lucky that we have friends and acquaintances who are talented young artists- which brings us back to Sharla - who I've not seen in years! I think the last time we saw each other was in the sixth grade and that seems like ages ago- now she...well she's a lot of things aside from her art she's also a model (wet weeeeew) :p

On the serious side get to know Sharla and her work here are some excerpts from the event page. 

Sharla O'Hara majored in Painting at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts in Diliman. She is a muralist by profession since 2008. 

She has been experimenting with materials used for faux and artistic finishes used in interior design projects or her paintings (among other things). She incorporates some notes of optical illusion or trom loie'l in her art.

Sharla describes her art as: "Glam, grotesque, organic and synthetic, illusion, compulsive and maybe a little dark sometimes..." 

Sharla has been tapped by Beauty Bar to paint on the walls of their new store which is opening in Centrall Mall in BGC - I'm really excited for this-so hopefully our schedule will allow us to drop by :) 

Kat Torre and her oil on Canvas

Sharla shares the on going art exhibit at Handuraw Pizza Sikatuna with Kat Torre who is in herself a jack of all trades when it comes to art. Kat is a scholar at the Philippine High School for the Arts in Mt. Mailing, Los Banos Laguna. She designs her own line of jewelry and watches which is manifested in Ensuenos. Like Sharla, Kat also majored in Painting at the College of Fone Arts in the University of The Philippines in Diliman.

Kat's impressive resume also includes designing and creating props, sets and costumes for stage productions like: "Magnificat", "Padre Pio", "Cory the Musical", "Manila, Vanilla" and "Halo Halloween". 

Kat's Color on White Canvas

She is also included in the Top 3 Finalists of the 2013 Globe Art Competitiom: ImaginART. 

Kat is looking forward to getting back to painting and sculpting. Her works will be mainly paintings of women. 

Aside from the promising art from these young artists the vent was made extra special by (drum roll please) PIZZA and I have mentioned that I am a Pizza kinda girl so - SCORE! 

Handuraw Pizza Sikatuna (where the art is currently displayed) is a nice and cozy place which does not only offer yummy pizza at P300.00-P400.00 per order but it is also a great place for friends to get together to chill and relax (there's a roof deck which is a great place to hang out and have pizza and beer). You can also contemplate on the art on display, there's a hallway once you enter the door where the art is hung and there is more space upstairs for more art! The main floor has space for musicians to entertain as well so patrons can enjoy the music! 

Although sharing the exhibit, Sharla and Kat have distinct styles in their art, as you open the door you will see colorful images on white canvas from Kat Torre the series is followed by Sharla's "illusion art", words and photos really don't do the art any justice so I guess you guys will have to see it for yourselves ;) The exhibit will be up in the next two weeks! 

The Gathering Season: A Solo Exhibit by Reese Lansangan

We first encountered Reese Lansangan (23) through her music. I don't remember if it was through her work as a solo artist, in her band Dressed Up Days or as half of the dynamic duo Reese And Vica. I'm actually listening to her music while writing this so - #ReeseOverload. Whether our discovery of her was through one of her musical endeavors, we knew that this was one talented girl, then came her art.

We haven't had the opportunity to come across her art except through her social media posts so when news of her first solo exhibit The Gathering Season came out, I knew we had to be there. 

I recently wrote an OPM Spotlight on Reese and Vica, their EP Finding Neverland is available for Free download on Amplify.ph and Paul and I have spent the good part of a week or two listening to the songs so we were decided to catch them in a live gig. 

Unfortunately our schedules (spell Night Shift) haven't allowed us to see them (Reese and Vica) in a gig :( so all the more reason to be there at the exhibit. The stars were on our side (probably because of Reese's original: A Song About Space) since the exhibit was on a Saturday and in Pasig. (Yehey!) 

Which is why we found ourselves as curious onlookers to the artist that is Reese Lansangan. We got to see hat was going on inside her head and we liked what we saw. 

The Gathering Season is an exhibit of Mixed Media pieces depicting the sometimes queer and oftentimes intriguing trinkets that people passionately collect. We really didn't take many photos nor did we take close up pictures of the art, as it wouldn't do any justice for it - you have to see it up close and in person to be able to full appreciate it. You can read more in the thought process and the research that went through the art (Yes! There's research involved) here.

Aside from the art, the night was also made even more special with the amazing music from local talented musicians who like Reese give "recording artists" a run for their money. 

We got to see acoustic acts like Rizza Cabrera, Seed Bunye and April of The Sun Manager serenade the crowd with soothing and captivating original songs, none of that acoustic cover only sh*t.

Legends and Villains 2: Art Exhibit

Flipgeeks together with Ricco Renzo Gallery invite you to check out LEGENDS AND VILLAINS 2: A touring exhibit which features 34 new works from contemporary Filipino artists which feature paintings inspired from Marvel & DC Superheroes and Supervillains. 

The tour will begin at the Annex of SM City North Edsa from September 13-19 and will continue on to SM Aura Premiere in Taguig from September 20-26. The tour will then move on to SM Mall of Asia from September 27-October 2, next up will be in SM Megamall, where the paintings will be on exhibit from October 4-10. The last stop will be at The Podium from October 11-19. 

This is more than just fan art as the artists featured in the exhibit have added a new depth and breathed in new life as they show their interpretations of their favorite heroes and villains through oil, acrylic or mixed media on canvas surfaces. 

There have been some pop art exhibits that have been going around the Metro but as you know our schedule is too hectic for us to just go anytime at least with this took exhibit we will be able to check it out at our own leisure - can't wait! :) 

Check out some of the art that will be on display!