habit of forming

Habit of forming

157.5 cm x 109.22 cm

Gouache and pencil on paper

2015

 

 

 

TABLE DRAWINGS is extended until December 30, 2015

The ArtAlley - Unit 324 LRI Design Plaza, Nicanor Garcia St. Bel Air II, Makati City

For more information you may call Ellen Capili at 8368799 or email one_workshop@yahoo.com

Tabula Rasa

by Hannah Jo Uy
Photo by Pinggot Zulueta

The theory of tabula rasa, Latin for “blank slate,” refers to the unsullied mind before social indoctrination. It has been tackled by deep thinkers such as Aristotle and Persian philosopher Avicenna who referred to it as “pure potentiality.” This idea of pure potentiality is what has driven artist Rick Hernandez to consciously reboot his mind for it to be an empty vessel that will be open to receiving the boundless possibilities that exist in the horizon. An appreciation for the inconstancy that marks life itself fuels the artist. Loyal to only the ephemeral ideas that capture his consciousness, Rick opts to break free from the safe confines of a set style and instead lets his hands materialize the latest internal musings that have consumed him.

“I think my art throws in more questions than answers,” Rick admits. “Questions even I can’t answer. I think that’s what unpredictability does to you.” The willingness to be a beginner time and time again has injected the works of Rick with freshness and a sense of childlike wonder. This is most especially evident in his recent exhibit entitled “Table Drawings” at The Art Alley, which will be on display until Nov. 30.

In “Table Drawings,” Rick opted to use gouache as a creative throwback to the first medium that initiated him into the art world as it brings back fond memories of his college days when he first aimed to familiarize himself with the challenging paint variant. Drawn to the wild characteristic of the medium that mirrors the capricious and charming nature of his own works, Rick created a collection imbibed with subtle and earthy hues strongly imitating the worn pages of old books and journals stained by intimacy and the passage of time.

The medium greatly complimented the subject matter of flora and fauna, which has been a source of inspiration for the artist even at a young age.The meticulous and breathtaking aesthetics of botanical, zoological field notes, and other antiquarian imagery have always attracted the artist who was fascinated by its unassuming visual quality. Rick has imbibed his work with the same quality inspired by the distinctive flowers and greenery he saw in Malaysia during his participation at the 2014 Langkawi Art Biennale. The images struck him so that upon returning he delved into his own research, which became the basis for his current exhibit.

While retaining a loose, relaxed characteristic, Rick has always managed to guide his work with a firm hand into a unique direction. His willingness to venture to new techniques has managed to stay within the boundaries of whatever concept he is aiming to explore, which provides it with a notable balance of structure and chaos.

An Advertising graduate from the Technological University of the Philippines, Rick had initially viewed painting as nothing more than a subject requirement. After college, Rick got his first job working as a graphic designer for Ross Capili, where he was exposed to the outstanding artists within the local art scene. “Ross has been a great influence in my art,” says Rick. “He was the one who pushed me to paint. He has a way of teaching you how to do things without dictating how you should do it. He made me believe I could do all these things. More than a mentor he’s like a father to me.”

As an artist, Rick is determined to outfit a concept with the most fitting medium that will serve the purpose of his message. “I have this Oscar Wilde quote in my head that goes ‘Continuity is the last refuge of the unimaginative,” he confesses. “I’m consistently inconsistent and I’m always trying out new things.” The effect is a truly dynamic and widely diverse artistic portfolio that is set to enthrall viewers for years to come.

Read more at Manila Bulletin - Artist at Work

 

 

Rick Hernandez’ Table Drawings at the Art Alley

"I always try to approach each exhibition with a 'beginner's mind' as much as possible." Hernandez explains why he periodically changes subjects and mediums for his exhibitions. Without the safety net of a familiar style demanded by the market, the artist tries to avoid a formulaic signature work, which typify an artist. "It keeps me on my toes, unpredictability has always been important to me," Hernandez confesses.

For his 4th solo show, the artist revisits his initial learning. He explains that his trip to the scenic Langkawi in Malaysia for the 2014 Langkawi Art Biennale took him back to the basics of drawing, partly influenced by the other artists on the delegation. "We usually have couple of hours off between each activity that we tend to organize our own (Philippine delegation) on-the-spot drawing. It felt good going back to drawing basics," said Hernandez. Returning to basics led him to the idea of completing an exhibition of drawings.

In Langkawi, Hernandez was inspired by its scenic beauty, flora and fauna. This led him to search for photos from antiquarian biology and zoology books, magazines, encyclopedia, the internet and even actual objects for references – the basis for his drawings. Table Drawings is a collection of gouache drawings made during the past months since his return from Malaysia. Trading the easel for a table, the artist sat down late at night or early in the morning, drawing various images from his research.

As with some of his other work, there is some looseness and exaggeration in the drawings. In order to broaden the ambit of the folio and not restrict it to simply 'drawing', some of the works are grouped and arranged in random to create a collage type of an expedition journal, "It's like looking at some field notes or a researcher's journal." Hernandez further explains. The artist also experimented with the velum paper surface and gouache in order to give the drawings looseness and accidental quality, expanding pictorial conventions while retaining the photographic reference. Still, Hernandez wishes to label his works as 'drawings' as a tribute to the drawing basics he looked to. "How easy art can be when you go back to basic and you stopped struggling with it." the artist opines with a sense of accomplishment.

Table Drawings opens on November 14, Saturday, 6pm at the Art Alley, Unit 324 LRI Design Plaza, Nicanor Garcia St. Bel Air II, Makati City. Exhibit runs until November 30, 2015. For more information you may call 8368799 or 09178887921, or email us at one_workshop@yahoo.com.

 

Table Drawings

My participation, along with other Philippine artists, at the 2014 Langkawi Art Biennale in Malaysia rekindled my interest in the basics of drawing and painting. As long as I remember, Oscar Wilde’s quip that "continuity is the last refuge of the unimaginative" has underpinned my approach. And then, in Langkawi, surrounded by beautiful flora and fauna, and in the company of other artists, my creative instincts led me to compile a set of drawings true to my initial learning.

I have always tried to commence each composition or compilation with 'beginner's mind'. Hence, I regularly change subjects and mediums, and deviate from the safety net of familiarity and “marketability”. Unpredictability has continued to fuel my thirst for creating and I have avoided formulaic style.

During the in-between hours in Langkawi, when the Philippine delegation organized spot drawing, I realized that I had in recent years delved much into abstract that I had forgotten the basics of drawing and painting. The idea of creating a series came to mind and I searched for photos from antiquarian books on biology and zoology and the like, magazines, encyclopedias and the internet- looking specifically for flora and fauna. Trading the easel for a table, I sat down late at night or early in the morning, drawing various images from my research.

The result is 'Table Drawings' - a collection of gouache drawings completed during the past eight months since my return from Langkawi.  The folio aims to remove the work from the category of simply 'drawing' as some of the drawings are grouped and arranged randomly in order to create the effect of collage comprising a visually loose and dispersed. Yet, constitute a whole, visual journal.

To achieve fluidity, I experimented with the paper surface and gouache, which in turn allowed for an accidental quality, yet retaining the photography reference. Importantly, as all artworks are completed in gouache and pencil and on velum paper and drawn in the traditional manner, I have remained true to ‘drawing’ in this folio.

TABLE DRAWINGS opens on November 14, Saturday, 6pm

The ArtAlley - Unit 324 LRI Design Plaza, Nicanor Garcia St. Bel Air II, Makati City

Exhibit runs until November 30, 2015.

For more information you may call Ellen Capili at 8368799 or email one_workshop@yahoo.com

Sunday

Still life from the series of my gouache drawings.

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Sunday

21.59 cm x 25.4cm

Gouache on paper

2015

Ms Lulu Avellana 

 

Lost Plate

Since my return from Langkawi Malaysia last October 2014, I have been continuously doing small gouache drawings in the flora and fauna theme. Being surrounded by nature has influenced me greatly and the effect by the quiet life with nature in Langkawi has spilled over even a year after my Malaysia trip. Going back to gouache as a medium, I did some small works for the Art in the Park event last March and the Art Sale for the Medical needs of Sophie (a good friend suffering from ALS). Here are some of my works done after the trip.

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Lost Plate I

14cm x 17.145cm

Gouache and pencil on paper

2015

Donated to Art Sale for Medical Needs of Sophie 

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 Lost Plate II

14cm x 17.145cm

Gouache and pencil on paper

2015

Donated to Art Sale for Medical Needs of Sophie  

Lost Plate III

14cm x 17.145cm

Gouache and pencil on paper

2015

Lost Plate IV

14cm x 17.145cm

Gouache and pencil on paper

2015

Lost Plate V

14cm x 17.145cm

Gouache and pencil on paper

2015

Broadcast

AM Radio Transistor project for Wings Technology. The unit, after assembly, will be donated to Far East Broadcasting Co. as a commemorative token in line with Wing's 25th year anniversary.

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Broadcast I

70cm x 70cm x 150cm

Mixed media on acrylic casing

2015

Wings Technologies

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Broadcast II

70cm x 70cm x 150cm

Mixed media on acrylic casing

2015

Wings Technologies

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Broadcast III

70cm x 70cm x 150cm

Mixed media on acrylic casing

2015

Wings Technologies

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Broadcast IV

70cm x 70cm x 150cm

Mixed media on acrylic casing

2015

Wings Technologies

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Broadcast V

70cm x 70cm x 150cm

Mixed media on acrylic casing

2015

Wings Technologies