The Digital Artist Digest

Year 2024

Best birthday gift ever! My books were acknowledged and embraced by the Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo, Japan. I celebrated my birthday at 100 Islands Pangasinan. Plus, my featured interview in the 'Order' book is now out in the UK. Despite the inevitable hurdles of an artist's journey, including rejections and challenges, I'm resolute in my commitment to keep going. | April 2024

Following the acceptance of my books 'I Just Wannabe An Artist' (both book 1 & 2) by the National Library of the Philippines, I garnered recognition from esteemed institutions worldwide such as the British Library, Library of Congress, and Asia Art Archive. Surprisingly, the National Museum of the Philippines and Bibliotheca Alexandrina also acknowledged and included my works just a few days later. Preceding this month, my interviews and book features appeared in The Global Filipino Magazine, The Flux Review, and Suburban Utopia, An Infertile Place. Furthermore, I actively participated in the 'Earth Hour' movement, advocating for climate change awareness with my contribution titled 'Lit Off'. | March 2024

Dragon Year approaches swiftly, marking the advent of Chinese New Year on the 10th. Following that, I eagerly anticipate presenting my art and participating in an interview on the 12th along 5th Avenue in New York with Dolor Magazine – a privilege for which I am deeply grateful. Exhibited Luningning at UK via Metaspace Gallery, a homage to women in the arts. As I engage with social media, I've resolved to “exclusively connect with” (follow) individuals who genuinely support my art through commissions, book sales, and various publications such as interviews, magazines, and websites. Thrilled to announce that the National Library of the Philippines (NLP) has accepted my compilation of artworks in the form of books into their collection! — I Just Wannabe an Artist (books 1 and 2). Grateful for this incredible honor and opportunity to share my art with a wider audience. | Feb 2024

Started the year of the dragon ‘2024’ with a new book, Everybodywiki, and an art show in UK. Nevertheless, challenges persist, including delayed painting commissions, unfavorable artist representation, and rejected art show applications. | Jan 2024

Year 2023

My artwork received recognition in various prestigious platforms like magazines (Opulent Art, The Arches Project Org), database (Artfacts) through online features (Agimat: Sining at Kulturang Pinoy, Creative Manila), and interview (Insights of an Eco Artist). This positive momentum in showcasing my art suggests that there will be more exciting opportunities on the horizon as I continue to grow and evolve in my artistic endeavors. It's encouraging to see my work being acknowledged and appreciated, paving the way for further avenues to explore and share my passion for art with a broader audience. | Dec 2023

What a thrill! My artwork is getting published in an art book, and I'm ecstatic! Plus, there's an interview lined up in Portugal after I answered their Q&A. Two artist databases featured my portfolio - Art World Database UK/SG and Artist Database US. The art journey is taking me places I never imagined. While my collaboration with a UK-based art gallery concluded, there's a silver lining. IJWBAA has partnered with a prominent contemporary fine art gallery in Asia, Yang Gallery, with bases in Beijing and Singapore. This collaboration promises an exciting journey ahead starting in 2024. On a slightly disappointing note, the art competitions I entered didn't yield the expected results. It seems minimalist figurative pop art faces tough odds in these competitions. Maybe it's time to reconsider participating in them. Nevertheless, the horizon looks promising, and I'm eager to embrace the opportunities ahead. | Nov 2023

After taking several weeks for introspection and a deeper understanding of the art collector's request, I made the decision to revise the draft. I shared the updated version with the collector via Instagram direct message, and it was met with increased appreciation. The collector even expressed interest in reserving the draft for a future project. Unfortunately, I received news that I did not win the art competitions I had entered, which was disheartening. Nonetheless, I swiftly supplied the required materials for the November 2023 edition of Opulent Art Gallery UK's art magazine and Goddessarts Magazine in Germany for January 2024 issue. Additionally, I embarked on a journey into traditional, non-digital art, creating Uno, my inaugural paper-based drawing using a graphite pencil. | Oct 2023

On September 19th, I encountered the sting of rejection from prominent art collector, and what had initially been a promising vision for my artwork turned into a haunting nightmare. The excitement I had once experienced, akin to the flicker of a bright screen in a dark room, had now faded into a chilling uncertainty. However, a few days later, I received an invitation from The Arches Project Organization to showcase my work in an international art magazine "Hidden Talents" in the United Kingdom this December 2023. Interestingly, among the five images chosen by the magazine publisher and art curators, one was of Toto. Consequently, I reached out to Dr. Salgado to inquire whether he would like his nickname, "Toto," along with a brief description as "a prominent art collector in the Philippines," to be included in the magazine. Fortunately, Dr. Toto graciously responded with, "Please proceed. It's an honor. Thank you." | Sept 2023

This August brought forth numerous opportunities for me. My dream of being featured in an international magazine came true with my inclusion in Tokyo's 365 Art Plus Magazine, where the cover featured a vibrant red Pagani sports car—a personal favorite of mine. I was also interviewed by Al-Tiba9 Contemporary Art, a prestigious international art magazine in Barcelona, Spain, and my interview is now permanently featured on their website. Additionally, I participated in The Louvre Museum and Uniqlo collaborative design competition, as well as another international competition with Poster Heroes Org. I'm crossing my fingers, hoping my artworks will be selected as finalists or even win a prize. On the marketing front, I've designed stickers featuring my published artworks for collectors to enjoy. Moreover, I've been diligently creating and submitting new artworks for international open calls, hoping for their acceptance into upcoming exhibitions. | Aug 2023

Over the course of several months, my artistic journey has been propelled by art commissions and digital prints. This inspired me to invest in an iPad 10th generation, enabling me to further enhance my digital artistry using various innovative applications. I am grateful that my stomach illness has been successfully cured through adopting a healthy lifestyle, maintaining a proper diet, and engaging in regular exercise. | July 2023

I actively participated in various artistic opportunities worldwide, including open calls, shows, exhibits, competitions, and magazines. While some accepted my work, others did not. Additionally, I created digital artworks that have yet to be published. Excitingly, I recently delivered my first commissioned painting to art collectors in BGC Philippines through Lalamove. As a token of appreciation, I gave them complimentary items—a Pamilya art print and a copy of my first book. Alongside these achievements, I continued selling copies of my book and dedicated time to plan and brainstorm ideas for upcoming art exhibits. | June 2023

I created a book showcasing all of my artworks from the time I started until the end of 2022. It was published by PhotoBookPH, and I was delighted to witness some copies being sold. As a new artist, I received incredible support from art collectors in the Philippines, and it was a truly gratifying experience when Dr. Gerard "Toto" Salgado, a prominent art collector, purchased a copy of my book. This moment filled me with inspiration and encouraged me to continue my artistic journey. | May 2023

I had a special birthday celebration with my brother, whom I hadn't seen since the pandemic began. The art galleries suggested recreating my digital art as acrylic paintings, and I received numerous email notifications regarding inquiries, commissions, upcoming art shows, and exhibitions. I was also overjoyed to receive my very first commission for an acrylic painting on canvas from a renowned art collector in the Philippines. | April 2023

I was thrilled by the captivating art fairs and exhibitions in the Philippines, where I received inquiries about my art. Additionally, I received email notifications for upcoming shows and exhibitions, and had the opportunity to participate in online international art shows organized by galleries in the United Kingdom. | March 2023

Through my inquiries, art galleries started to notice my art, and I began receiving notifications about art shows and exhibitions. I also secured digital art print commissions, made NFT sales, and received numerous inquiries and commissions for my artwork. | Feb 2023

This year, I started my artistic journey with a plan. I reached out to art galleries, applied to join exhibitions, art fairs, and biennales, and inquired about artist representation from different galleries. | Jan 2023

Year 2022

During the Christmas season, I took a well-deserved vacation and traveled to Baguio City, relishing the scenic beauty and immersing myself in its artistic atmosphere. After enjoying the beach and joyous celebrations with loved ones on New Year's, I delved back into creating more digital artworks, while also fulfilling commissions that further fueled my artistic journey. | Dec 2022

After experiencing health issues, I took a necessary break to prioritize my well-being, allowing myself time to rest and recover. Once I regained my strength, I eagerly returned to creating art, while also dedicating time to research and explore alternative avenues to engage with art collectors and buyers, seeking meaningful connections and opportunities to showcase my work. | Nov 2022

With a growing recognition of my artistic talent, I experienced the joy of selling my NFTs and receiving commissioned projects, which fueled my determination to persist and continue creating. Seeking further growth and connection, I actively engaged with social and artist groups online, immersing myself in a supportive community that nurtured my creativity and encouraged me to reach new artistic heights. | Oct 2022

Driven by my passion, I continued creating an array of captivating NFTs, pushing the boundaries of my artistic expression. However, I also faced the bitter sting of being scammed by unscrupulous marketers online, which served as a valuable lesson in navigating the digital landscape. Undeterred, I persevered and accomplished the milestones of completing my website and establishing a strong presence across various social media platforms, solidifying my dedication to sharing my art with the world. | Sept 2022

The day I rediscovered my passion for the arts was a transformative moment, igniting a flame within me to embark on a creative journey. From creating breathtaking digital artworks to delving into the world of NFTs, building a strong social media presence, and designing a captivating website, each step solidified my commitment to turning my artistic dreams into a tangible reality. | Aug 2022

Summary

Year 2024 Summary: Over the past year, I have experienced both good and tough times. My books containing my artworks have been recognized by prestigious institutions across the globe like museums and libraries, and I have been featured in books and magazines from around the world. But there have also been struggles, such as not winning art competitions, facing rejections to participate in local art gallery exhibits, dealing with mental and health issues, and encountering setbacks with some art projects. Despite the ups and downs, I keep pushing forward, celebrating wins like birthdays in cool places and joining important movements like Earth Hour. I am committed to growing as an artist and sharing my work with as many people as possible.

Year 2023 Summary: This year was a wild ride for my art! It got noticed big time—featured in magazines, showcased in exhibitions across the globe, published in books, and even made it into some top-notch databases. Teaming up with galleries in the UK and Asia promises an exciting road ahead. Sure, there were a few letdowns, like not winning some competitions, but hey, that's part of the game, right? I kept pushing, got featured in magazines, took on new traditional art methods, and even got my work into print. The ups and downs all added up to a crazy year of growth in my art journey, setting the stage for an even more exciting future in the art world!

Year 2022 Summary: I embarked on a truly transformative artistic journey. It all began in August when I rediscovered my passion, igniting the flames for a creative odyssey that encompassed various aspects. This journey led me to dive into the world of digital art, venture into the realm of NFTs, and establish a strong online presence. Throughout the year, I encountered a fair share of challenges, including a scam in September. However, I chose to persevere, using these setbacks as opportunities to gain valuable insights and ultimately completing my website. By the time October rolled around, I started to receive well-deserved recognition, made successful NFT sales, and engaged with supportive artistic communities. November served as a much-needed moment for self-care and recovery, allowing me to return to my art with renewed enthusiasm. December provided a chance to unwind, as I traveled to Baguio City and partook in joyous festive celebrations, marking the end of a year filled with artistic growth and exploration.

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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Thank you.