You Can Fly Too, You Know
Watercolor, ink, and pastel, 13x10 inches, 2021
Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan celebrates three wonderful decades of Philippine children’s illustration this 2021 with the annual exhibit INK Story: 30 Years of Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan! This piece called “You Can Fly Too, You Know” is my contribution and answer to the theme and question ‘What is your INK Story?’
My soul lifts seeing birds, butterflies, and dragonflies above. They made me feel that I could do it as well. The creatures pointed to my back, saying, “You can fly too, you know. But you have to know you have wings first.”
I’ve been an INKie (what we call ourselves as Ang INK members!) since 2016. Being in an org with so many incredible, kind, humble, talented, generous, and hard-working people has inspired me to do well in the path I’ve chosen, just as they have. As they show me how to fly, they remind me of my own wings. That I can do it too, whatever project I do in the future. Moreover, they’ve taught me not just to be a good illustrator but also to be a good person.
I'm not sure if I'll be the illustrator I am today without Ang INK. I became a member on its 25th year and now, the org is at its 30th!
The most unforgettable lesson is during our OrSem in 2016.
Sir Totet de Jesus said that you could be the most skillful illustrator out there, but if you don’t know how to treat other people with respect, especially the people in the same industry you are in, then you still fall short of what you could be as a better artist and person.
I wasn’t able to get fully in verbatim the words he said, but I am sure I heard these two words right.
“Be good.”
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INK Story: 30 Years of Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan is officially open at the Wilson L. Sy Prints and Drawings Gallery, 2F Soledad V. Pangilinan Arts Wing, Areté on campus at the Ateneo de Manila University, Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City. The Ateneo Art Gallery (AAG) proudly partners with Ang INK in bringing this anniversary celebration to life in full color.
The virtual tour will be available soon at ateneoartgallery.com. Please stay tuned for announcements for on-site visits to the gallery.
For more information on INK Story, check out ang-ink.org/story