Tuyo

"Tuyo" (dried fish) 2013
27x38cm

watercolor

Berns Brijuega

Power Hug

'Power Hug'

27x38 cm

watercolor

'Malunggay ang Ulam Mamaya'

"Malunggay ang Ulam Mamaya"
37x38cm

watercolor

B.A.D. - A visual arts exhibit

B.A.D. boys. "young Bikolano artists" as they say.

In celebration of February as National Arts Month, we opened a visual arts exhibit featuring my oil and acrylic paintings, Panch Alvarez' doodles and mix media arts and Fadi Ghaleeb Diaz' photographs.

This is my first collaborative-exhibit with two young artists of Bicol. This is a move to refresh the spirit of arts and culture in the region.

 The BAD boys of bikolano arts; Panch Alvarez, Fadi Ghaleeb Diaz, and yours truly, Berns Brijuega.

 I personally thank Kristian Cordero, a bikolano poet and award-winning writer, for discovering my pieces and passion in the arts. He is the backbone of this event, introducing us to some of the great local artists and writers of the region such as 'Bidibidi' de los Santos, Fr. Nonie Bancaso, Al Oliva, Frank Penones Jr., and Ms. Doods Santos.

As a hobbiest, my aim was only to paint for the sake of blogging it. It is still an exhibition of my arts online, in a more modern way. But there is always the need for the real arts interaction, a more personal viewing and sharing my artworks to public. 10 of my works are exhibited in the event, and these are sentimental artworks because these are my first great works as a developing painter.

Our generation has lots to offer in the arena of the arts. We can still contribute for the growth of our own culture and rich traditions. I always believe that art is the food of our soul. As the youngsters of our community, we have these fresh and creative ingredients to cook the meal for the sake of our people. In time, our foods will be part of the great menu that would change the world for the better through the arts.

The exhibit was held at Cafe de Artes, Villa Esperanza, San Nicolas, Baao, CamSur. It was a month-long exhibition and opened to the public for viewing. | photo credits Bernadette "Bidibidi" de los Santos and Fadi Ghaleeb Diaz

Nagsisinarom

Nagsisinarom (Twilight)

palette knife painting

oil on canvas 12x18'

This is my second palette knife painting next to Kaguw. I was inspired by Lion King's Circle of Life and this is my version of it. 

2012 Belen

This is our nativity set for this year's Christmas. Same set, yet different design.

The main theme is cathedral windows.

The background is made out of picture frame stand i found in the house and sticked on it some colored papers to look like a window

 green and red are the main colors to give the scene the Christmas ambiance

Maligayang Pasko!

Kaguw

Kaguw (Itch-scratching)

Oil on canvas

40.5x30 cm

This is my first painting using palette knives.  This painting is a gift for my Humanities mentor and a friend, Sir Kristian Cordero, an award-winning Bikolano contemporary poet and writer.

Another contemporary Bikolano poet, sir Victor Nierva wrote a poem inspired by this painting. I am very gratified that my arts are now being recognized by few Bikolano artists like sir Vic and sir Kristian.


KAGUW NI BRIJUEGA
by Victor Dennis Nierva

Daí ta nanggád masásabútan—

mawáwalat na saná an talbó—

an pagtalikód n’ya sa kinàbán,

an pagrápak kan saíyang siko.

Daí ta man mahuhunà nanggád

an pagmatì kan saíyang kublít:

mayong gùrís, mayò man nin lugad,

mayò man nin pilà na mahúlit.

Ay, hilngá, ta gatól, gatól saná

an satô gabós makákahayag

na an pangkágaw daíng halagá

asín madayà an mga takyág.

Kagáwa saná, kagáwa bayâ,

Sagkód an gatól dagos mawarâ

(English)

Brijuega’s Kagüw

We can never understand—

all that will be left to us is dust—

her turning her back to the world,

the shattering of her elbow.

We can never assume

how her skin does the feeling:

there are no scratches, no wounds,

there are no scars that may suggest.

Oh, look, itch, only itch

can ever declare to us

that the backscratcher is of no use

and that the arms are full of deceit.

Go on, scratch it, and never stop

until the itch is finally gone.