Jonathan Abellana

Jonathan Abellana studied Graphics and Media in Cebu Institute of Technology University while also working at Juanito Zafra’s studio doing sculptural works. After two years in college, he stopped due to financial problems but continued honing his craft. He is a self-taught artist who focuses on the composition, value, and color theories of old masters and contemporary arts. He is interested in the mysterious handling of oil paint medium in the past and present. His works belongs to a representational category where he loves to paint every day life of Filipinos with great dramatic expression and emotional quality. He also loves to study in nature plein air and painting landscapes.

 

While studying painting independently, he accepts commissions for portrait and sculpture to support himself and his family. He later on joined the Cebu Artists Incorporated and Portrait Artists Society of the Philippines. His works started gaining exposure through exhibits. He met a lot of other artists and improved his skills by sharing and accepting new ideas. He is inspired by the words of his mentor, Jose “Kimsoy” Yap, Jr. - “For the young artist, the road is still so far, continue to strive for his goal and enjoy every single day of life studying nature with excitement  as an artist.”