Arttalksph

This week, Arttalksph features Kevin Cornelia, a visual artist and art instructor whose work bridges the deeply personal with the universally human.

About the Artist
Kevin Alex Cornelia Piñero, professionally known as Kevin Cornelia and fondly called Sir Kevz is both a practicing artist and educator at Foundation University. He completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts, majoring in Painting, at the same institution in 2012.

Artistic Journey
Cornelia has been a consistent presence in the local art community, actively joining group exhibitions and mounting solo shows. His practice delves into the complexities of the human psyche, weaving together themes of emotion, memory, and inner conflict.

Style & Vision
His works transform lived experiences into dreamlike compositions, blurring the line between reality and imagination. Through subtle symbolism and emotional undertones, Cornelia invites viewers to reflect on their own inner landscapes while engaging with his expressive visual narratives.

Why He Matters
Cornelia’s art resonates because it is both intimate and expansive, deeply rooted in personal experience yet capable of touching universal truths. His presence as an educator further amplifies his impact, nurturing the next generation of artists while continuing to evolve his own practice.

Kevin Cornelia will be joining fellow collage artists in our upcoming virtual exhibit, “Collage.” Stay tuned for this exciting showcase of layered creativity and expressive visual storytelling!

Do you want to be featured? Scan the code https://forms.gle/H75Sf41jQtrEkhwV9

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Discover your creativity through hands‑on sessions designed for all skill levels:

- Basic Drawing & Painting
- Oil Pastel Workshop
- Acrylic Workshop

DM Arttalksph for inquiries and enrollment details!

That moment when a kakilala messages you with a warm "Uy, ang galing ng art mo!" followed by the question we all dread, "Pwede pahingi ng drawing? Para sa anak ko lang naman. Simple lang." Simple lang daw, as if canvases and paints fall from the sky like gentle summer rain, as if digital tablets charge themselves with good intentions, as if creativity is a faucet you can just turn on for free. And we're not even talking about a tiny nine-by-twelve inch piece here, some people have the audacity to ask for eighteen-by-twenty-four inches or even bigger, as if the size doesn't multiply the cost, the effort, and the soul we pour into every square inch. But here's the reality we live with every single day: we pay thousands of pesos for courses just to refine our style, we pay the electricity that keeps our devices running, we pay for internet connection to send you that file, we pay rent for our studio spaces, and we pay for materials that often cost more than our daily meals. And above all else, we have mouths to feed. Not just our own, but sometimes the whole extended family, from Nanay and Tatay down to the pamangkins who ask for extra rice.

The hardest part isn't the workload, it's the Filipino hiya that makes us say "sige na nga" even when our wallets are empty and we're running on three hours of sleep. The guilt of saying no feels heavier than a fifty-hour project, because we don't want to seem madamot or walang utang-na-loob. But when do we get to say no without feeling like the villain in our own story? Through it all, we survive on humor. Like when we joke, "Sige, libre. Bayad mo na lang yung paint, brush, canvas, kuryente, at yung luha ko habang gumagawa. Pero yung drawing, libre." Or that timeless classic, "Kaya pala tawag sa'kin ay artista, kasi ar-te ka kung maningil?" Because if we don't laugh, we'll definitely cry.

To our friends and family who ask, we love you, we really do, but please understand that our talent is not a charity and our time is not a spare tire. You wouldn't ask your doctor friend for a free check-up every week, or your engineer friend to design your house for exposure, so why is art any different? And to my fellow artists, let this be your reminder: it is perfectly okay to say no. Your art has value, your time has value, and you have value. The people who truly respect you will pay not just in money, but in genuine respect for your craft. So the next time someone asks for libre, just smile, take a deep breath, and remember, mas mahal ang pintura kaysa sa pakiusap.

Ano ang pinaka-memorable na "libreng drawing" request na natanggap mo? Share mo na sa comments!

This week, Arttalksph features Sarah Jarrett

Sarah Jarrett is a contemporary collage artist whose work blends digital and analog processes to explore the human relationship with nature. Using flowers and plants as metaphors, she creates enchanting dreamscapes with soft, muted colors and an ethereal, dreamlike aesthetic.

Her range spans delicate botanicals, sparse landscapes, and striking portraits, often set against bold color fields that recall early 20th-century expressionism. Each portrait captures emotion and character, while together they form a collective narrative of individuality and connection.

Her art has been commissioned and published worldwide in books, advertising, magazines, product design, games, puzzles, and stationery. In 2023, she exhibited internationally in India, London, Norway, and Germany. Currently, she is expanding her practice into larger-scale oil paintings.

Sarah Jarrett’s work shows how mobile and digital arts transcend their medium, offering audiences enchantment, mystery, and emotional storytelling.

Sarah Jarrett’s collage work will be showcased in ArtTalks Ph’s upcoming virtual exhibit Collage, a curated collection celebrating today’s most innovative and creative collage artists.

Want to be part of it too? Simply send us your collage work, and we’ll include your artwork in the exhibit!

Sarah Jarrett’s collage work will be showcased in ArtTalks Ph’s upcoming virtual exhibit, Collage, a curated collection celebrating today’s most innovative and creative collage artists.

Do you want to be featured? Scan the code https://forms.gle/H75Sf41jQtrEkhwV9

Arttalksph Weekend Roundup: Independence Day Special & Weekly Art News!

Happy Independence Day, creatives! Despite the political crises and drama that often cloud our screens, let us remember that true freedom begins in the mind and the canvas. Our art is our voice, our sanctuary, and our most powerful tool for change. Keep creating, keep expressing, and let your work be the light that guides us through challenging times.

A huge congratulations to Frederign Agustin for being our weekly art feature! We are also excited to share that he will be joining the upcoming virtual exhibit, "Tribute to Picasso." Well deserved, Frederign!

Calls for Artists & Opportunities
• Calling all collage art creators! Join our collage art virtual exhibit. PM your works to be featured.
• Calling all cubism artists! Join our collage art virtual exhibit. PM your works.
• Attention newly grads! If you cannot afford to pay for graphic design school, we invite you to enroll in our accessible graphic design class. Don't let financial barriers stop your creative journey!

Weekly Art Reads Summarized
• "The Tortured Genius Is Dead. Long Live the One Who Can Talk About It."
The era of the silent, suffering artist relying solely on their work to speak for them is fading. Today's successful creatives are those who can effectively communicate their process, story, and values to an audience. Building a connection through dialogue is now just as crucial as the art itself.
• "Simplifying Content Creation for Artists"
Content creation doesn't have to lead to burnout or disrupt your creative flow. By taking small, consistent steps—like simply filming your hands at work—and focusing on the process rather than just the final reveal, artists can build a sustainable online presence. It's about sharing your authentic story and values to attract the right audience.

Philippine & Global Art News of the Week
1 Farewell to a Legend: The art world mourns the passing of pioneering British artist David Hockney at age 88. Known for his vibrant portraits and iconic swimming pool paintings, his influence on contemporary art remains immeasurable.
2 Filipino Art in Jakarta: The Philippine Embassy in Jakarta proudly supported the participation of Filipino artists, including Demi Padua, at ArtMoments Jakarta 2026, showcasing our local talent on an international stage.
3 Ateneo Art Gallery Exhibit: Catch "Things You Wanted To Say But Never Did," an exhibition by Geloy Concepcion, currently on view at the Ateneo Art Gallery's Wilson L Sy Prints & Drawings Gallery.
4 NCCA Gallery Opening: The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Gallery recently opened the "TAYM PERS 5" exhibit, which will run until June 26, 2026.
5 Creativo: The "Archipiélago Creativo: Geopolíticas en el Arte Filipino" exhibition continues to draw audiences, highlighting the geopolitical themes within Philippine art.

Contribute to our collab app, and let’s keep the creativity flowing together. https://atphcommcollab.lovable.app/
Happy weekend, everyone! After those scorching days, I hope last night’s rain gave you the sweetest sleep. While you’re enjoying the comfort of a lazy morning in bed, why not add a little spark to our community?