Primer: Anthony Palo

Primer: Anthony Palo

Anthony Palo was born in Antipolo City in 1984 and grew up drawing pictures from cartoons and comic books he watched and read as a child.  At school, he created comic strips on notebooks which was read by his friends and drew pictures for his classmates as his first commissions.  He enrolled at the University of the Philippines, College of Fine Arts, where he majored in painting. During this time he took interest in the works of the classical painters of the baroque and renaissance.  He had his first solo exhibition of his paintings in 2009.

            Anthony’s artwork merges his love for comics and cartoon imagery and classical painting influence, producing narratives evoking children’s imaginative play. Where figures become knights, and princesses… where toys come alive in a fairy tale landscape, his is a fulfilling the make-believe… the continuation of every child’s dream story.

What inspired you to become an artist?

As with most artists, I loved to draw as a kid, loved watching cartoons, anime, video games, play ‘teks’ and would copy the illustrations from those. Upon college I took up painting because I was curious as to how the famous painting ‘Spoliarium’ was created, I wanted to learn how it was painted and why a painting could be so instrumental in the history of a country. Thinking painting is the most pure form of art, to be executed not for any other but for itself.  I was also fascinated by the artist professors we had, thinking to myself… ‘Is that what an artist looks like?’.

The way they carried themselves intrigued me, in my eyes it’s like they were rebels, they seem to carry a wind of flair on themselves. The profession intrigued me. Plus, most of my college classmate friends wanted also to become artists so it was then that the dream of being an artist was formed.

What was your first exhibit like?

It was in 2009, it was at E Galerie back then. it was fun, I got to see all my works hung in on place. I mean I worked on them but it was a different thing seeing them together in a gallery setting. It’s like I couldn’t believe it. ‘Was this made by me? ‘Am I attending another’s show? Did I really do all of these paintings? So this is how it is.’  This was what I thought in my mind. It’s kinda scary too talking to people about your paintings and their inspiration.  With all the hard work you put in, it was an overwhelming feeling. A good jumpstart to my artistic career.

What are you currently working on?

I am working on a few pieces, for group shows, gallery pieces, currently starting to work on paintings for a solo show, no date yet but I like to keep a head start.

What is your process like?

            I would take pictures, anything that’s interesting, that would stimulate ideas, I believe da Vinci mentioned this that he can see visions in objects… For example, like seeing faces in tree roots or faces in nuances of the marble etc., but I forgot the term he used. I would take pictures of what would stimulate visions of characters, subjects, backgrounds, color combinations, toys, dolls, etc. Take a picture; save it on my laptop and go back to it… And mix and match it depending on the item or subject of the painting I am going to do.

What was the most valuable thing you learned doing your art?

I think the most valuable thing I’ve learned doing my art practice is to listen. Listen to your mentors and ask questions; it will make the art practice a whole lot easier. Like techniques.. what works in your paintings and what does not. With the gallery practice, tricks of the trade, etc.

What is your favorite piece you created?

It was a piece I created for “State of the Art” group exhibit at the Art Center Megamall in 2008, entitled “Afternoon Tea Time with My Next Door Neighbor, Mr. Industrious and Zorky… He’s from another Planet”. For me, it was the first successful attempt at the idea of painting from the point of view of a child’s imaginative play, I think for myself that was the time I concretized the idea.

What is your favorite piece by another artist?

I love paintings by Giorgio de Chirico and Caravaggio. Giorgio de Chirico’s metaphysical paintings “Disquieting Muse,” “Mystery and Melancholy of a Street,” “The Enigma of the Oracle,” “Enigma of the Hour,” I like the air of mystery in his works. I love Caravaggio’s works due to his chiaroscuro and his technique. I also admire works of Mark Ryden, Joe Sorren, Kathie Olivas but those two I love the most. It’s hard to pick one since their works are otherworldly.

Why do you work in the medium that you do?

I work in oils because I think it is timeless. It’s what most of the great masters used. It’s the medium of paintings housed in the great museums of the world. I think maybe in my mind I would like to someday be compared and be in line with those kinds of works. I use the classical techniques of oil paint and combine it with contemporary imagery, like a mixing of the old and the new.

What is your favorite place to create in?

I usually paint in my studio, but I like to draw and brainstorm outside, where I can see skies, landscapes, the city, people watch. I think my imagination works better there. After I consolidate the ideas and sketches, I can go to the studio and turn those into paintings.

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