AS A yOUNG ARTIST, I began with creating illustrations and artworks with traditional media, such as pencil, pen, colored pencils, and oil pastels.M works in traditional media were mainl caricatures, where m drawing stle evolved from simple Western stles to a Japanese manga-inspiredstle. Eventuall, I came up with m own stle, taking features from both stles. I was also exposed to other media such as oil and watercolorpainting, with training in art workshops. Now, I have been able to incorporate m drawing stle using digital media such as vector art.Before, m artworks were created for personal use onl, or as an escape from the sad and stressful realities that I faced ever da. The ma havealso been representation of an idealized world that I envisioned.As I matured and entered formal training as a Fine Arts major, I gained more interest in themes related to Philippine histor, art and architectureurban planning and heritage conservation. Therefore m works would include Philippine or historical graphic elements. M exposure to relevantissues in the world toda also helped, through m involvement in The GUIDON as a member of the Graphic Design staff and eventuall asGraphic Design Editor. Providing design solutions for the common people was also one important lesson I learned in m majors, and throughArtiller, the newl-formed Information Design organization. From time to time, m works would include themes about pop culture and realitiesthat our generation faces.Now, m works were less about idealization and personal satisfaction, but rather more about sharing an idea or message to an audience throughvisual media and providing them design solutions that are applicable to the real world. Instead of concocting was and means to escape theproblems of the world, wh don’t we instead put our energies in understanding the problems, finding references, and coming up with realsolutions?
artist’s statement
FRANCHINO E. VICERAL