Interview: Young Local Artist 🖌

Emmanuel S. Mulawan, 24
5th Year Architecture Major at Cagayan de Oro College
Local Artist

I have known Emmanuel or Eman and some other local artists for quite some time now. It was around May 2015 during a group art exhibit titled Flowers of May . He was just a quite and timid boy who always have a busy schedule so it was quite hard to reach out to him and make friends with him. But because of Facebook, I got to meet him personally again yesterday evening at my favorite spot which is at Chingkee Tea.

He has been known for his Monet-like strokes and pristine results. A lot of people loves his works and sense of professionalism that is why he always seem to be on call. These are some of his works to show you why they love him:

This was taken during a Cake event in Cagayan de Oro called Cakeistry.

And the cake made by a pastry chef added glamour for the artwork of our young artist.

This mural he made was for a birthday celebration of the grandchild of one of the wealthiest man in the city. This made me want to paint mural on my bedroom but I think I need to more SBDs so that I could hire him! Oh! Plus other bills!

Meanwhile, this one he painted for a chef. The chef wanted him to make a mural for his shop. This was a place in Australia where the chef studied during his college years.

He made another mural in one of shops in SM Downtown Premier. This one was in Bingsoo. He sure knows how to add the Korean vibe by painting a korean scenery. Saranghe

Interview Proper
Q: Who is your role model when it comes to art?
A: My dad is my role model. He has been one of the local artists in Cagayan de Oro . My dad also used to paint for cinemas during 70s and 80s. He make bill boards out of plywood and paint on it. Some of those were Independence Day, Rambo, Eddie Murphy films, Steven Seagal films, and a lot more. Meanwhile my favorite famous artist is Claude Monet. As you can observe on my art pieces, my stroke actually in big mural paintings are not that detailed. I am a semi-impressionist just like Monet. Well, for now, I do not stick to a certain art technique. I needed to be versatile and follow what the client wants.

Q: When did you learn how to draw?
A: I remember I was in kindergarten at that time. I could recall that I draw saints and angels on our wall using crayons.

Q: For you, what is art?
A: For me, art is my personal escape. It might feel so exhausting because I have to comply things for my clients, but there will [always] be a sense of fulfillment and joy. I detach myself from the world for few hours and days working.

Q: What do you advice on those aspiring artists?
A: Just be themselves. Just be you! There are standards in the field of art but that does not mean that you need to follow those. You cannot be a copy-cat of a copy-cat of a copy-cat. You cannot be another Emman. You cannot be another Picasso or another Monet. You should not be arrogant as well. You should listen to the criticisms of others. Just let those serve as your wake up call to develop and enhance your skill and talent.

Q: If you are gonna advice your 12-year old self, what would it be?
A: Do no grow up just yet. Enjoy your childhood! A lot of kids want to grow up. They do not have idea that adulting is hard.

Q: Do you wish to proceed to digital art?
A: I know the basics in freehand drawing, so my next project is digital art. Although the free hand artwork has soul and heart in it. Whereas digital art, no matter how great it looks, it is just passing [for me].

Q: Did you ever had frustrations on some things in life?
A: I had frustrations on music. I do not know why but I cannot play any musical instrument. At high school. I had my desire in painting and desining clothes and props. I just want to be the production designer and not to play any musical instrument or be a stage actor during school plays.

Here, Emmanuel painted on a gown. It really looks so lovely.

Q: What are your favorite medium used in making art works?
A: I like to apply water-colorish style. My favorite art media are latex, acrylic, and water color.

Q: How was art able to affect the other facets of your life?
A: Emotionally... I am emotionally driven. When I get depressed, feel the feat of being abandoned, I do not want to work. I do not want to paing. It would take time for me to recover then. I do not want to draw based on these negative emotions. I do not want to work based on sadness. The was a time ha, at One Yoga, I painted a mural and then a yoga teacher noticed my emotion. I was then told that I was angry while working on that project. My emotions are manifested by my strokes. I do not want to work also when I feel negative emotions because of love. But when duty calls, I really have no choice.

Q: Have you seen yourself before in becoming a [local] artist?
A: [Before] What I know is to draw. I just want to be a professional but not exactly as a professional artist.
I just want to share this. My mom, pinaglihi me with art materials. When I was a baby, she put some pencils and crayons under my pillow. My mom told me also that during playtime when I was still in nursery school, I would just want to be alone. I play with my friends naman but somehow I prefer to make myself my own company. To date, I limit myself to a small group of friends.

Q: Have you thought of using other art medium?
A: Yes, but I really do not prefer charcoal pencil because I find it messy to use.

Q: Have you ever thought of community service?
A: Yes, I did many times. There was a time during the first days of Marawi Crisis, I really wanted to be involved in helping the kids. I wanted to conduct art session therapy with the kids but it has not been pushed through because I am so busy with my work. But I also conducted watercolor workshop at USTP. I will also be conducting the same workshop in our college.

Q: What are the other things you have in mind aside from becoming an architect?
A: I want to be an art teacher too especially to kids and high school students. I also see myself being a professional artist living in a condo unit with my family. I really was praying to God that He will give me twins. Twins are very fascinating.

Q: Speaking of twins, I remember what happened during the World War II, Nazis were experimenting with twins. They wanted to build the perfect race. For you, what perfect thing do you wish to create?
A: Oh yes! I've seen a documentary about that. They wanted to build the perfect raise. Anyway, about that, I always wanted to build an artist sanctuary. I wanted it to be an open space with my set of friends who would teach art to kids. At that place, any artist could be themselves. They can express themselves there. No one will judge them.

Q: I have heard of ambitious artists too. They wanted to become rich. Are you like them?
A: No. Life is too short. All those riches you will attain, you can never bring those with you when you die [whether you go to heaven or hell]. At least, what I want in life is to do noble acts. I want to bring happiness to others through art. Just that would be enough for me.

After all the questions had been asked, Emman asked whether or not I wish to ask about his lovelife. I told him, just tell me a little about it. He said, "we met because of Facebook. She loves calligraphy. She is a dancer." So unfortunately to his fans on Facebook that had been wanting his attention, sorry girls! My friend is already taken.

This is us by the way before the interview. He was suppose to give me a small tutorial but unfortunately he needs to buy some paints. He even showed me one of his proposals for work, a village for the Suban-on tribe. Such a kind-hearted man.

Some of the photos are found on his Facebook account and I had his permission to use it here on my blog.