AA APPRECIATING ART interviews
by OP Monzon
“He (Florendo) looks at the way the bird flies, how a man walks, how the sea moves, and how a tree grows. They are nature’s laws and he follows them just as nature follows them.”
-Excerpt from article written by Exhibition Center for Contemporary Art
Florendo and his still life art, left and the “A Boy and his Five Loaves and Two Fish”, right
FLORENDO is a self- taught artist who recounts with affection the three persons who have given him great influence, his grandfather mentor Domingo Ibanez or “Lolo Domeng”; maestro Martin Catolos and his benefactor, art critic, editor, and publisher Manuel Duldulao.
Many of his paintings were published in Duldulao’s coffee table books.
Lolo Domeng drew landscapes and still life paintings and encouraged young Angelito to paint. Jo recalls he provided him the inspiration. Jo persevered. It was difficult for him to learn how to mix colors, how to express the shadows in a landscape and how to make fruits look like real fruits on canvas. He would observe and paint with Catolos who untiringly mold him to become an artist.
As Lolo Domeng provided reassurance, his parents, the impediment, for they did not like their Angelito to paint. They strongly expressed his future is bleak in this chosen career. His father would say, “ahh, samahan mo na lamang akong magtanim sa bukid anak, may madudukot pa tayo” ( it would be better for you to come with me to plant in the rice fields, we can get something out of it). Today, they are immensely proud of their son Florendo.
After his years of grit and determination to give his best, Lolo Domeng finally assented, he was so happy that the boy whom he shared his canvas with has accomplished much at a young age.
Orestes P. Monzon heads the Department of Nuclear Medicine of the University of Santo Tomas Hospital and a member of the Board of Radiologic Technology of the Professional Regulation Commission. He writes, shoots hobby photographs, paints, collects art and organizes medical, family life conferences, concerts and art gallery openings, among others. Monzon and Florendo started collaboration in their exhibit, "Paintings from Photographs I: Feeding the Doves" at The Art Gallery of The Philippine Heart Center in 2011.
Jo was born in Albay, but grew up in the province of Tanay, Rizal. Maybe this is the reason why his paintings are earthly and rustic. He painted landscapes - rice fields and trees, rivers and mountains, flowers and blooms. His favorite subjects are rudiments of the earth: the barn with the roosters, the mother hen feeding their chickens little and the cool nipa hut surrounded by wild forest.
Painting nature seems to be a delicacy at the Rizal province. Why are there so many visual artists who come from this place? They say Rizal artists are slowly bred while still young, to paint and depict the realities of the simple life. The province boasts of landscape sceneries, farmers working in the rice field and fishermen sporting their early morning catch. It is also the hometown of prominent artists and national artists.
But how can one go astray with such talent as Florendo, a boy growing in rich surroundings with the masters along with the smell of oil paint, the grease of acrylics and the earth colors of aquarelle?
The medium has become his world, and its color, his dream.
The artist renders finishing touches to a master piece, left and “Fruit Harvest”, acrylic painting on top of a chest trunk, right.
OP Monzon and Jo Florendo’s 2 Man Exhibits express the passion and creativity that are beyond the details of their artwork. They always put their heart into it ... literally. There is always an unuttered act of charity with every exhibit that they launch. I am a proud fan of these two magnanimous artists. RJ
A member of the Tanay Artist Group, Florendo has 13 Solo Art Exhibits and more than 100 group art exhibits that include shows in Caracas, The Philippine Art Center in New York City, Washington DC, and San Francisco. He is Past President of Ugnayan Filipino Arts Foundation and co-founder of the Unang Letra Group of Artists. He is presently Board of Director of the Art Association of the Philippines (AAP).
Florendo’s work was featured in magazines, newspapers and coffee table books. Recently, he was published in an article published at The Filipino Magazine covering his 2 Man Exhibit with OP Monzon at Art Asia Gallery in Mega Mall; and in two coffee table books: “Different Strokes” edited by Noel Sales Barcelona and “Soul Searchers and Dreamers: Artists’ Profiles by Alma Cruz Miclat published by the Maningning Miclat Art Foundation and Erehwon Center for the Arts.
The Rustic Art of Jo Florendo, Philippine Daily Inquirer by Alma C. Miclat, 02.10.13
COMMENTS FROM FRIENDS AND GALLERY VISITORS
“As I browse through the impressive works of Mr. Jo Florendo, one painting struck me the most; and I as read the title, I agreed this is really, “Salamin ng Kalikasan”. The piece is enchanting, inviting the viewer to look closer and even makes one hope to hop into the scenery and play in the clear, reflective waters of the silent stream. One can almost smell the fresh air, feel the cool breeze and bask under the radiant sun as you step closer, and gaze at this simple yet magnificent depiction of nature at its finest.”
Arnel Pauco
“The two fishes of the Lambingan Series of paintings make an impression of love, serenity and bliss of being together alone in a private world of their own. It makes one feel of two lovers locked in tight embrace. The scene of the two Koi fishes side by side makes one feel of Romeo and Juliet in a romantic setting wooing one another. The tranquil and still water seemingly denotes a state of peace and quiet serenity.”
Angelin Apostol-Gonzales
Commissioned to paint a rooster on a rooftop, he first observed the fowl carefully before he proceeded to work. He noted how it flipped its wings just before it crowed. How arrogant it could be in front of a hen. And it was a proud but caring father in front of its brood. All these characteristics he incorporated in his final ‘obra maestra’.
Alma Miclat, The Rustic Life of Jo Florendo, PDI
“At the end of a long drive from Manila to Tagaytay, to Gourmet Farms’ Dining Room, where the Art Exhibit is held is a road to a pleasant end – viewing the elements of water and earth in its art form. It is pleasing to see that the things we set aside, like fishes and blooms were given a subject of importance by the artist. Florendo could be one of the best visual artists in this genre. His fishes make a splash one could feel the water sprayed on one’s face, smell the good food that is cooking waiting to be served, the fruit on the basket, or the fragrance of the wild flowers”
Jose Orestes and Marguerite Monzon
“It has been a long time since I was in an Art Gallery and needless to say, it was a very refreshing experience!
The Photograph/Painting,”Rendezvous“ with the bicycle and table is my favorite concept. It has a wealth of story to tell, it practically hushed the rest from my mind's eyes and ears. The photographer has an eye for photographic drama and the visual artist captured the essence of the photograph. Indeed, it is the message that is important. As long as the message is conveyed, it does not matter what kind of camera you use.”
Carlo Jose San Juan
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