THREE Davao watercolorists joined the 1st Grand Watercolor Convention and Exhibition held recently at the GSIS Museo ng Sining at the Cutural Center of the Philippines Complex in Manila.
Emerging as the grand prize winner for the professional category in the convention on-site contest was Gilbert Miraflor of Davao City.
Second Place for Professional Category was won by Alain Davis Costa from Albay Legaspi, and Third Place for Professional Category went to Manny Vailoces from Cavite. For the 18 years old and below category, first prize winner was Johannah Princess Joy Jao, while second placer was Jule Earl de Guzman.
The two other Dabawenyo artists who joined the grand convention were Lito Pepito and Tito Vicente.
The convention brought together 143 professional artists, art enthusiasts, educators, and art suppliers and focused on promoting watercolor as medium.
There was a film showing of the History of Watercolor. Art conservator and artist Rex Beo spoke on archival practices in watercolor during the convention proper followed by a collaboration painting demonstration by Lito Ballaran, Erwin Mallari, and JC Vargas. Eileen Escueta tackled the basics of Chinese painting and discussed how the eastern and western techniques can connect.
There were also Art Clinics / Troubleshooting painting problems tutorials. Artists were also made available for consultations, and there were product trials, product demonstrations and promotions.
The on-site contest was among the highlights of the convention capped by the opening of the first grand exhibition of IWS Philippines and the Philippine Guild of Watercolorists, entitled the "Kulturang Pilipino: Noon at Ngayon".
The convention was held last April 22, 2017. The exhibition ran until May 22, 2017. The awards for the professional category were handed by Kulay Sa Tubig Hall of Famer Margarita Lim, and Master Andy Pernia.
The awards for the young artists were given by Karen Sioson, president of the Philippine Guild of Watercolorists/International Watercolor Society Philippines, and Karina "Jinky" Alejandrino Rayo, the corporate secretary.
Rayo, herself is a Dabawenyo who has since established residence in Binan, Laguna with her family. She is graduate of BS Architecture at the University of Mindanao and became interested in watercolor in 2012.
The convention was organized by the Philippine Art Educators Association, International Watercolor Society - Philippines, and Philippine Guild of Watercolorists.
Reputed to be the most difficult medium to master, watercoloring has been gathering more and more enthusiasts.