If you’ve seen my latest Instagram post, you’ll have witnessed my foray into creating a reel featuring myself. If you’ve yet to view it, head over and give it a look. While I often shy away from exposing too much of my face on social media, I feel it’s time for me to start sharing more of myself instead of hiding behind my artworks. It’s a steep and uncomfortable learning curve, but it’s also something I feel has been missing from my practice as an artist, that is to foster...
Read more...
Happy New Year to readers of my blog. If you’re new to my posts or even a recent follower of my Instagram, I welcome you. I’m writing this post on the eve of returning to my day job for the year, so I’ll try not to let my dread colour this post too bleakly. You’re more than likely being overloaded with people’s content across social media regarding their reflections on the previous year and their intentions for the new one, especially if you follow a lot of artists and creatives....
Read more...
Continuing from my last post, I’m moving out of the emotionally analytical and experiential part of what I’m dealing with at the moment and now moving into how it impacts the creative part of my life. Who am I kidding, this is me and this is going to get emotional. But first, a quick update. It’s been three weeks since I last posted, and almost six weeks since I’ve been discharged from hospital. My health is still a work in progress. I think generally I have been feeling the same...
Read more...
Just a short note: This will be a two part post, so if you want to skip this one about feelings and wait for the one more grounded in my arts practice that I'll release in the coming week, by all means. If you would like to read please be aware that If you’re affected about content relating to death, mental health and illness, I would suggest you don’t continue. I have had a very strange few weeks and there have been thoughts and situations that have been very confronting...
Read more...
I may sound a like a broken record in this post as I’m processing a lot of things currently, so apologies if you’re hearing all the same stuff, but if you’re here for it I appreciate the ears, hearts and shoulders you’re lending me. I’m starting pull myself back together and feel like I’m recovering from the burnout I’ve been experiencing for what seems like years. I haven’t been in my studio much other than to drop off materials I’ve been ordering, but I’m starting to get that strong urge...
Read more...
Continuing from my last post, I was unable to create any painting worthy of submitting to the group show at Jacky Winter Gallery. I’ve ended up selecting a work that I’ve exhibited previously. The amount of pressure and stress I was causing myself over the situation wasn’t helpful. Because my resilience is extremely low due to burnout (how many times have I used that word in the last nine months?) it doesn’t take much stress to push me to my limit. As I’ve mentioned previously, stress is a major trigger...
Read more...
If you’ve been following my Instagram stories and posts recently, you’ll know I’ve been struggling with the work I’ve been making. I have this strong urge that something new needs to emerge, but anything I create doesn’t feel right and I end up feeling unsatisfied or disinterested with anything that comes out. Something is missing from the work, but I’m unable to pinpoint what that is, or how to solve it. I’ve only been back from my three-month studio hiatus for a few weeks now (due to creative exhaustion and...
Read more...
If you’ve heard me speak about the concepts and themes behind my work or have some insight into why I do it and what it all means, you’ll understand that my work is essentially a safe space for me to explore my cultural heritage and identity — both in regard to my ancestry and my sexuality. Ultimately, what I’m trying to work out is who I am and where I belong. I’m Australian-born and of Filipino and mixed European descent. If I go by my Ancestry DNA test, I’m 50%...
Read more...
This is going to be an emotional post, so if you’re not up for thoughts and feelings, I understand. Feel free to wait for a future art update post in the coming weeks. For those of you brave enough to venture further, I’m locking the door behind you — there’s no escape. If you’ve been following along with my Instagram, I posted in February about the burnout and overwhelm I’d been experiencing. I mentioned that I was taking a break from art until I could put myself back together and...
Read more...
My first blog post for 2025! It’s been a bit of a break since my last post—life has been interfering, and for me, the last half of December to the first half of January is usually a write-off. But I’m back at my desk, typing away and looking forward to all the exciting potential for my career. My solo exhibition, which I’ve been diligently working toward over the past few months, opens tonight at RED Gallery. This coincides with a group show where I have two pieces on display over...
Read more...
For the last two weeks, the routine I’d built around my art practice has gone out the window. The main reason for this was a shift in priorities. As most of you are aware, after being made redundant, I now have a non-existent income, so when an opportunity came up for a freelance design job, I had to take it. All my attention and time have gone into developing that work, which has now been delivered, so I can pick up where I left off before chasing some dollars. The...
Read more...
Starting off with some updates: The Merri-bek Summer Show opened last weekend at Counihan Gallery, where you can see my work Mestiso. It’s a great gallery and an interesting show, featuring work from 109 other artists. My piece follows the concept of (Be)Longing, which deals with, as the title suggests, belonging, but also yearning and nostalgia. Some other exhibition news: I’ll be exhibiting in two group shows in the lead-up to Christmas. I’ll have work in Essence at Gallery Unbound, and the Christmas Group Show at RED Gallery. I was...
Read more...
A close friend of mine recently posted some vulnerable thoughts and feelings on topics like imposter syndrome and insecurity as a creative. We had an in-depth chat, and I shared a lot of my experiences and processes that help me deal with those roadblocks. It really made me reflect on my own journey as an artist and as a person, so I thought I might share some of those experiences. I might be having a bit of an old man ramble here, so I hope what I’m saying resonates with...
Read more...
This post is more of an update related one, rather than the usual thoughts and feelings. I’ve had a pretty eventful and productive week, which has been nice. Last week was pretty rough for me, but as is my process, after venting all my feelings out I was able to dust myself off and get on with it. My perfectionism was getting in the way of me moving forward as per usual, but in the end I got there. Which means I’m happy to announce that I’ve finally opened an...
Read more...
Let me just preface this post, by mentioning that there are a lot of things on my mind at the moment, which may be contributing to the stress spiral I’m floating within. These include; dwindling redundancy money, the difficulties and emotions around returning to work as a designer, low morale as an artist, and a general sense of inadequacy towards my arts career and practice. This post might be a bit emo, so strap yourselves in. This week I’ve been struggling a lot. The amount of hats I’ve had to...
Read more...
Last Friday, I attended the exhibition opening of Steve Leadbeater. If you’re in Melbourne I recommend you go visit - it closes this weekend! I think it was my first positive and energising experience at an opening. A lot of the time I feel very awkward, the crowd overwhelms me and my social anxiety skyrockets. Which leads to lack of engagement with people and leaving early. I was experiencing an unusual level of confidence that night. I think it was because I got to meet people from my mentorship group...
Read more...
This past week has been the first time I’ve felt like I’ve reached a balance in how I’m approaching my practice full-time. I’m still making adjustments and will likely make many more over the coming weeks and months, but right now, things feel less chaotic. It helps that I feel settled after being made redundant, and can move forward with my life to focus on a full-time art career. Even if that may be temporary. In my experience as a designer, you tend to move quickly. Most of my career...
Read more...
If you follow my Instagram, you’ll know that I was made redundant from my position as a graphic designer early last week. It happened so quickly that I didn’t have time to process it. I was called into a meeting, and the next minute I didn’t have a job. I’ve been experiencing bouts of denial, highs, lows, anxiety attacks, and impulsive behaviours, not to mention an ongoing battle with a sinus infection. I think a lot of people who haven’t gone through a redundancy miss how it impacts your sense...
Read more...