I have to be honest. Going to the
museum was an impulsive decision. I just told myself that I would after seeing Beijing2008 by Lui Liu on Facebook. After reading the interpretation of the
masterpiece, I just felt like I want to see real artworks and interpret them
myself. Hence, the trip. My subject? Spoliarium.
However, it was beyond my
imagination that I’m in for something better. Aside from seeing The Parisian Life there, I was exposed to the works of a maestro, who has instantly turned into
my biggest inspiration.
Fernando Amorsolo, whose name had
been familiar to me since high school, is perhaps one of the most important
artists in the history of the Philippines. I’ll leave his biography to
Wikipedia (which you can find here) and let me just dwell on what I actually
felt as I walk around an entire gallery dedicated to his and his brother’s
works.
It is his famous paintings depicting
the rural lifestyle of the Filipinos, particularly the women, that caught me
first as we entered the room. True to what others say, his creations were
better seen in person. The light technique was perfectly applied and every
stroke and dab of paint was obviously done carefully and meticulously to create
a magnificent masterpiece. In most artworks, it really seemed like there was a
spotlight inside the painting. It was astounding.
Take note that I actually have
little knowledge about the artist when I went there; so I was really amazed
when I saw the portraits. Since I was young, I have always wanted to learn
portraiture but since I used to think that I cannot draw, I ended up learning
photography to compensate. Well, I enjoyed it; but the frustration remained.
And seeing the works of a prime Filipino artist furthered my vexation.
But I should have known that the
jealousy I initially felt will eventually turn into something constructive.
Because when I came to the part of the gallery where Amorsolo’s sketches and
studies were displayed, I felt motivated – like I can actually draw.
Perhaps, it’s how simple and
honest the sketches were. Though framed, they were drawn on plain sheets of
paper. There were mistakes. There were erasures. The guides were visible. Some
even looked like there were just simple fading lines. Anyone who doesn’t know wouldn’t
really think that those were from the maestro himself.
Seeing those things in display
made me realize that just like any ordinary artist, Fernando Amorsolo started his
paintings from scratch. He drew guides and sketches, and then transformed it
into breathtaking masterpieces. Like any other artist, he practiced until he
mastered it all.
And I guess that’s the biggest
factor why when I went to the mall the next day, I bought a sketchpad and some
pencils, thinking that I can do it too. Amorsolo had convinced me that practice
really makes perfect, and there is no better time to start the drill than as
soon as possible.
For the record, I cannot draw…
But as I remember the sketches on that Amorsolo gallery, I start thinking that
maybe… maybe I can.
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