The Digital Artist Digest by IJWBAA Year 2024 | Monthly Insights into Digital Artistry

Year 2024

December 2024 was a month of reflection, cultural pride, and expanding global recognition. Though I seldom participate in local exhibits, my artistic journey began in the Philippines, and I continue to support the art scene that first inspired me. A Tarlac exhibit in 2020 reignited my passion for art, leading me to collect local works before evolving into IJWBAA in 2022. This deep connection to my roots is reflected in The Aeta, which celebrates Filipino culture and was recently featured in Art Up MI in Milan, and Horizons of Humanity, set to appear in Quadro magazine, examining the evolving Filipino identity. On an exciting note, the UAE's National Library and Archives has requested copies of my books, and the prestigious Uffizi Gallery—renowned as the birthplace of the Renaissance—has officially done the same. As I curate my third book for a 2025 release, this month has reminded me that while my art reaches global audiences, my Filipino heritage remains at its core.

November 2024 was a month of incredible milestones and well-earned recognition! Receiving my first 5-star review on Google My Business was a proud moment, and I’m thrilled to feature it on my website. A collector from the Philippines also completed their purchase of my books and an art print, marking another step in connecting with supporters. On a larger scale, my books have found homes in esteemed institutions such as the Museo Reina Sofía in Spain and the National Library Board in Singapore, where they are now part of the prestigious Southeast Asia Collection. They’ve also been accepted by the Getty Research Institute, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Royal College of Art, Tokyo University of the Arts, and the University of the Philippines, Diliman—validating my work’s cultural and academic significance. My 3D art piece The Red Thread was published on WOMP and featured in Marika magazine in New York, further expanding my artistic reach. While the removal of my Wikimedia Commons page was a minor setback, this month reaffirmed that growth comes from persistence, and recognition follows when the right audiences connect with my work.

October 2024 was a month of artistic demand, creative exploration, and defining personal choices. With numerous art magazines eager to feature my work, I realized I needed to generate fresh experimental projects to keep up. While I successfully fulfilled commitments with 6X Media, Marika, and Art Up MI, I’m now in the process of brainstorming new ideas. On a visual note, I shared the Artego magazine cover on social media, and it turned out stunning! A major moment came when Gallery Joaquin, one of the largest galleries in the Philippines, invited me to be a featured artist. While it was an honor, I chose to decline and shared my reasoning online—staying true to my creative direction. In a fun discovery, I edited my first YouTube video using an AI voiceover and finally heard my artist name, "eej-wah," spoken aloud. The excitement was real—I couldn’t help but shout it out on social media! This month reminded me that while opportunities are abundant, making intentional choices and staying authentic to my vision is what truly matters.

September 2024 was a month of recognition, new creative explorations, and expanding horizons. Receiving a request from the National Library Board in Singapore for my books was a humbling validation of my work’s significance. Being nominated for the NFT Design Awards 2024 and Top 100 Filipinos on LinkedIn further affirmed my growing presence, even though I didn’t win. A particularly meaningful milestone was becoming the first Filipino featured in the Techspressionism movement in New York, inspiring me to explore vlogging—leading to my very first YouTube vlog, where I shared my journey. Seeing my work published in the 9th edition of Citizen of the World by Artwork Gallery Ukraine was another thrilling moment. To add to the excitement, a major local art gallery in the Philippines, with several branches nationwide, invited me to be a featured artist, making me reflect on future possibilities. This month reinforced that while awards and invitations are great, true fulfillment comes from continuously pushing creative boundaries and finding new ways to share my art with the world.

August 2024 was a month of reflection, resilience, and renewed creative energy. Celebrating two years as IJWBAA was a momentous milestone, reminding me of the challenges I’ve overcome and the growth I’ve achieved. The journey hasn’t been easy, but the recognition of my books by prestigious institutions affirms that my work is making an impact. While my submission to the Louvre Museum and Uniqlo’s global t-shirt design competition wasn’t selected, I see it as another valuable experience—proof that I’m willing to take risks and put my art out there. The steady flow of invitations to publish in magazines and books further reinforces that my artistic voice continues to reach new audiences. As I step forward, I remain focused on creating fresh, meaningful projects that push the boundaries of my craft.

July 2024 was a whirlwind of opportunities and lessons. Getting invitations to publish my work in magazines still feels surreal, and with that comes the challenge of creating fresh digital pieces. A few months back, I experimented with generative art and photography, and now those explorations are proving useful. A well-known Filipino art collector reserved copies of my books, which I’m planning to republish later this year. It was exciting to be featured in Digital Arts Blogs (New York) and to showcase my works on OncyberIO. I did, however, forget to send my artworks to the Incognito charity show in Australia, but at least I’ll be part of it in 2025! Social media hasn’t been the easiest space lately—misunderstandings and drama seem unavoidable—but I’m taking it as part of the journey. A poet friend told me, “Welcome to the bad blood series,” which, honestly, sums up the art world pretty well. Still, I’m learning, growing, and moving forward. Onward and upward!

June 2024 was a month of deep reflection, purpose-driven choices, and unwavering commitment to my values. A dominant theme was art as a force for good—whether through my interview with Artwork Gallery Ukraine, my participation in the Sophie's Postcard 2024 charity show, or my ongoing belief that creativity can contribute to meaningful change. Choosing to collaborate with Ukraine was intentional; I stand firmly against war and deeply value life. Seeing my journey unfold through the published interview made me pause and appreciate how far I’ve come—every challenge, every triumph has shaped me into the artist I am today. This month also reinforced the importance of integrity and self-awareness. I declined a commissioned painting offer from an art collector, not out of disinterest but because I wasn’t certain I could meet his expectations. Instead of leaving things unanswered, I took the time to reach out and communicate my concerns—an act of honesty that felt necessary. Meanwhile, stepping into the world of virtual reality exhibitions through Artwork Gallery’s presentation opened new possibilities for showcasing my work in the digital space. Ultimately, June was about staying true to my values, using art to support meaningful causes, and recognizing that sometimes, the best decisions are the ones that align with who I am rather than what others expect from me.

May 2024 was a month of resilience, milestones, and moments of quiet beauty. Overcoming setbacks was a key theme—I spent a week battling flu-like symptoms, which forced me to slow down. But with the right medication, rest, and self-care, I recovered, reminding me that even in the busiest seasons, health must come first. Amidst this, recognition and expansion continued. My interview in Dolor Magazine (New York) and my participation in the Fraction exhibit at Fox Yard Studio (UK) reaffirmed my presence in the global art scene. Another significant achievement was delivering another batch of my books to the Art World Database in the UK, ensuring my work reaches more audiences. Most notably, my books are now part of the permanent collections of Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MACM) and Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in Madrid—an honor that solidifies my contributions to contemporary art. Beyond these accomplishments, this month also had a deeply personal highlight—witnessing the golden hour at the shore in San Juan, La Union after so many years. It was a moment of stillness, a reminder that art isn’t just about constant movement and milestones; it’s also about pausing to appreciate the world’s natural beauty. The biggest takeaway? Even during challenges, life continues to unfold in meaningful ways. Through perseverance, gratitude, and balance, I’m growing—not just as an artist but as a person.

March and April 2024 were all about recognition, resilience, and reflection. The best birthday gift ever—my books were embraced by the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo! Celebrating at 100 Islands Pangasinan made it even more special. On top of that, my books were accepted by the British Library, Library of Congress, Asia Art Archive, National Museum of the Philippines, and Bibliotheca Alexandrina, which still feels surreal. My interviews in The Global Filipino Magazine, The Flux Review, and Suburban Utopia, An Infertile Place added to the excitement. Of course, the journey isn’t without its struggles—rejections and challenges still come my way—but I’m learning to embrace them. I also took part in the Earth Hour movement with ‘Lit Off’, because art isn’t just about creating—it’s about making an impact.

February 2024 was all about gratitude, refinement, and setting boundaries. With the Year of the Dragon kicking off on the 10th, I geared up for an exciting month, especially my Dolor Magazine interview along 5th Avenue in New York on the 12th—an incredible honor! Showcasing “Luningning” in the UK via Metaspace Gallery was another highlight, a tribute to women in the arts. On the social media front, I made a conscious decision to engage only with those who truly support my work—whether through commissions, book sales, or publications. And to top it all off, the National Library of the Philippines officially added “I Just Wannabe an Artist” (books 1 & 2) to their collection. It’s a powerful reminder that every step forward, no matter how small, is still progress.

January 2024 was a mix of fresh starts and tough lessons. I kicked off the Year of the Dragon with a new book, "Everybodywiki," and an art show in the UK—both exciting milestones! But along with the highs came the inevitable struggles: delayed painting commissions, the ongoing challenge of securing artist representation, and the sting of rejected art show applications. Still, I remind myself that setbacks are just part of the journey. Every rejection, every delay—it’s all fuel for what’s next.

SO, WHAT'S NEXT?

Hi, I'm Pao aka IJWBAA. I'm a digital artist, painter, and a book author from the Philippines. If you enjoyed reading this you might like to read also:

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