CJ Tañedo born in Makati City, Philippines is a contemporary painter in the Philippine art scene. He came from a family with an artistic background and he once dreamt of becoming an architect, until he entered college and discovered that painting is the career that he wants to pursue. He won several awards during and after college. He also had many group and solo exhibits inside and outside the country.
CJ Tañedo studied his primary education in St. Joseph’s College of Quezon City and he studied high school in Aquinas School San Juan where he was given “Artist of the Year” (1995-1996) award and he was also a “Deportment Awardee”. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts major in Painting from University of Santo Tomas where he started his painting career and the university is known for its traditional/conservative way of learning arts. He learned the basic painting in university and he researched techniques to improve his works.
He was inspired by the works and craftsmanship of Gustav Klimt back when he was in college and also with the works of Degas, Rembrandt and Odd Nerum. During his college, he was peers with noted Filipino artists such as Ivan Roxas, Lawrence Borsoto, Tyago Almario, Romel Villas, Mark Magistrado and Andres Barrioquinto which is one year ahead of him and he was also a former student of Ronald Ventura, who is a Filipino artist and was known for setting a record for the Filipino as the most expensive item in Sotheby’s auction. Since he was surrounded by great Filipino painters, he became inspired to improve as a painter. Aside from that, he was also challenged to continue painting as a career because of the criticism that he heard from others regarding the career in painting. He became competitive and joined painting competitions where he won several awards and gained money through it.
CJ Tañedo started making a name in the art scene since he was in college. He started as a Shell Art Competition finalist when he was in his second year in painting course and then it continued when he was in his third year, where he won 2nd place in A.A.P. on the spot painting competition and an honorable mention in T.U.P. on the spot contest. During the same year (1999), he was awarded again as a Shell finalist and was also awarded by Metrobank Young Painters Annual and NOKIA Art Awards Philippines. In the following year, he then again won in NOKIA Art Awards in Seoul, Korea, got 3rd Place in Shell Art competition, 2nd Place in A.A.P. annual competition (Painting Category) and received several awards from UST.
After graduating college, he continued joining art competitions and won several wins and awards. He also worked part-time in their design company as a consultant of accessories in interior designingand was once a part owner of some gallery in Tomas Morato, Quezon City. CJ Tañedo didn’t study masteral in arts after graduating college and continued as a freelance painter. He have several group and solo exhibits and has a regular entry at Sotheby’s auction.
CJ Tañedo one of the few painters in the Philippines who brought the visual techniques of the renaissance art masters into the modern scene of the 20th century. His artworks are mixtures of different discipline in traditional painting. The paintings made by him are mostly defined as dark and creepy. His art evolves as his interests change and as it matures over the time. Realism is his key factor in his artworks but he is also a fan of impressionism, expressionism and symbolism. His style, though, is figurative art. He prefer the use of oil paint and acrylic in painting. He uses the process of Flemish technique in his artworks and he adopts different ways on how to dry the layers of his painting quickly. His way of painting is putting many layers of paint in his artworks. His subjects varies on his different moods and events.
What inspired you to become an artist?
Lahat siguro ng mga bata mahilig magdraw and I’m very thankful to God na hanggan ngayon as an adult nagagawa ko yun art making as a profession.
What was your first exhibit like?
It was during my later years in college, I was invited to participate in a painting exhibition in a bar/restaurant. During the opening, Ma’m Plet Bolipata bought my artwork and I remember she said I should try to exhibit my works to Doc Cuanang’s Boston Gallery where my first gallery exhibition was under the guidance of Bobi Valenzuela.
What are you currently working on?
I have a lot of commissioned works right now and I’m gathering new compositions for future exhibitions
What is your process like?
My art process is very slow.. I’m still working and thinking ways how to speed up my art process… I do a lot of painting layers.
What was the most valuable thing you learned doing your art?
Sir Bobi Valenzuela always told us young artists’ to take care of our Art, and our Art will take care of us (artists).
What is your favorite piece you’ve created?
I’m not sure.. I make it a point to cherish every artwork that I am making so that I’ll put my passion in every work as much as possible.
What is your favorite piece by another artist?
I like the works of pre-Raphaelites.. William Waterhouse’s Lady of Shallot
Why do you work in the medium that you do?
I find it very challenging doing oil painting way back in college days; probably the reason
I got obsessed working ways research and develop techniques to maximize the capabilities of oil paint.
What is your favorite place to create in?
My art studio… where I can procrastinate and be creative.
