The Artistic Journey: An Interview with Rachel Holazo

What is an Artist?

Anyone who creates Art can be called an Artist. Art is a way of conveying our feelings about the world we see, our daily personal experiences that are true for ourselves. It communicates and expresses ideas, delights, frustrations, torments, and pleasures. Most of all, Art is organizing and composing all these things harmoniously and orderly in any material surface that gives its physical form. Without harmony and a sense of order, the work is chaos or trash. Not Art.

Who is capable of becoming an Artist?

 Anyone.

How is an Artist made?

Genetics play a role. There are current DNA studies that determine our structural aptitudes. Some of us may be born more visual, auditory, literary, or physical. Some may even combine these with being emotional or spiritual.

Culture also plays a role. Some of the ways we do in life have been done over and over again, some even for a thousand years that ultimately this way of doing achieves refinement and in essence generates order and ultimately becomes a thing of Beauty. Take for example the Ikebana or origami of the Japanese, or the culinary art of the French, or embroideries of our great grandmothers.

Education definitely plays the greatest role. By studying art—the use and nature of its tools and materials, the elements and principles that can translate our thoughts and feelings into form should be taken seriously. Knowledge of the technical aspects one gains the freedom to express oneself clearly.

Lastly, to be an Artist requires life-long development and dedication.

When is someone considered an Artist?

When one has achieved a level of proficiency and competence (skilled) in the technical aspects of the craft one has chosen, and whose output exudes the feelings and emotions of the creator, and whose work conveys meaning (either felt or read by others) and that the work inspires others to want to create too, or makes others just feel good inside them.

What factors influenced you?

To go into visual art, you mean? As a child, I remember being fascinated with the way my older brother can create pictorial forms and images as if by magic. Also, I was an avid reader. I devoured National Geographic magazines that featured works of Great Masters. As a child, I had the ability to retain vivid images of people, places as well as my dreams.

What skills are needed to be an Artist and the skills gained from being an Artist?

First of all I am a painter. As such, I needed to develop the skills of being able to think consciously of several things in one grasp and feel what is in my subconscious at the same time. In other words, when I paint an object or a subject, not only do I analyze its shape, patterns, texture and all its technical aspects as well as making composition out of it, but I have to be able to know how I feel towards what I paint and why I paint it. In mastering my craft, I develop critical thinking. I have also improved my level of concentration. Most importantly, in learning more about my craft and understanding it well, I am able to share this knowledge to others.

What are the subjects of your work? What is the purpose of your work?

The subjects of my works are varied and wide-ranged. My early works took the same route as with anyone who had formal studies: still life, figure studies, portraits, or location landscapes.

Later I explored themes of moods and emotions in my human subjects.

I also explored themes of nature (bougainvillea series) in trying to translate my own personal hidden pain and confusion at a certain time of my life. My “Peak at Sunrise” series explored the feeling of being one with the universe.

I also explored the feeling of flight in my recurrent tubao series and the idea of soaring through the clouds symbolizing freedom.

Why did you choose to become an Artist?

I did not choose to become an Artist. I just became one because of discipline and by being true to myself.

What are the objectives of your artworks? 

I do not set objectives when I paint unless it is a commissioned work. When my artistic light bulb lights up and everything about me, my frame of mind, my moods, my physical being, are all in harmony, I paint.

What is your vision as an Artist?

That what I do become a source of inspiration, a source of awakening, joy, delight, visual reference, information to people of today as well as the ones who will be here after us. In a way, I would like to connect and establish links in our world, physically and spiritually.

What/Who are your inspirations?

Nature. Nothing beats nature because it is infinite and dynamic. The Great Masters in Art who have come before me as well as those living today who are creating magnificent works also inspire me.