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We first saw Jof’s fun pieces over at La Pomme (a happy artisanal toy shop at The Collective), and felt an affinity for the laid back beach imagery present in her watercolor illustrations.  Don’t they just make you wish you were lying on the sand with the sound of the waves playing on your ears?  As the rainy days approach, let’s give summer one last hurrah with Beach Day Sunday!  Jof’s got a Beach Day Sunday Basic Watercolor class coming up this weekend–come and learn watercolor techniques while painting fun, beach imagery.  To register (or get on the waitlist), go here.

How long have you been making? What got you started?
Felice started around 2009, I was living on an island and these were mostly doodles and sketches. I stopped sketching these for awhile when I returned to the city – other things happened then middle of 2013 a recurring skin disease forced me to stay put for 3 whole months with nothing much to do. So, I started painting as a form of healing by imaging all sorts of beach funtivities my beach ‘soul’ would do once I was healed. At the end of the year I started sharing my work then eventually selling them and then going to the beach ☺

What’s your favorite medium? Why?
Watercolor of course! That’s what we used a lot in College as my course was Clothing Technology and we had a class just for fashion sketching and painting. It was so much fun! I wasn’t so good then, I must say it’s one of the hardest medium’s I’ve tried but I’ve always liked the results, so, practice does give you confidence.

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Tell us about your favorite projects.
Felice is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. When people say work doesn’t feel like work — it’s true pala! Haha and getting paid for it can happen. I’ve focused a lot of my energy on getting Felice off the ground this year. And it’s been so much fun especially when people tell me they relate to that face! Haha Another would be Beach Day Sunday. I told Apol of La Pomme Home, your neighbor, I wanted to give a workshop (something fun!) later on the idea came for a beach-inspired watercolor workshop. I merged my love for watercolor and the beach. It’s something I’m so proud of. I made the books myself, I came up with the activities and the program on how to learn the basics of watercolor based on the stuff I learned through the years! I wish I had one before in College! For Craft MNL, the funtivities will be different so there’s variety! I’m so excited for that.

What’s the one skill you’ve always wanted to master/learn?
I’d want to master the violin! I took classes before. I knocked on the door of our neighbor in the old Burgundy Building where I was living in back in College because I could hear some violin music and I was curious. Guess who opened the door? Coke Bolipata, the Philippines renowned violinist hahaha He was surprised and shocked when I asked him if he could teach me! Haha I was young… so forgiven! Anyway, he said he doesn’t teach adults anymore but yes, one of his pupils could teach and train me. Twice or was it once a week I would go knock on his door and would play, okay attempt to play the violin in his living room area with my instructor. It was amazing.

What are you currently working on?
I’m juggling my styling and production design work with my art life.
Right now, I’m in the product development stage of my Felice shirts. So far, I haven’t gotten the right t-shirt print. Hopefully, I’ll find the right one! I’m also working on a series of sketches and doodles inspired from my old sketchbooks. I’m still experimenting on what to do with those. And I’m back to embroidery. It’s all about trying things and having fun – that’s the theme in my brain right now.

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What’s your dream project? What have you done to make it happen so far?
Felice is my dream project! So it’s happening!!! I’m so grateful it’s here in the now. It’s just all about making new Felice art and funtivities. I’ve also received some commissioned work. It’s great to know people want their own piece and they let my imagination run wild for them!

Aside from watercolor illustration what else do you do?
Embroidery, doodle doodle doodle almost everyday, I silkscreen, watch movies, read! Haha I do my production design and styling work that are both creativity satisfying although sometimes hazardous to your health because of the work hours, so, I take it easy this time ☺

How does creativity influence the other areas in your life?
A lot! It’s opened my mind to many possibilities. With creativity everything seems possible, I’m less stressed knowing there is always a solution no matter what especially with production work!
After being in the zone – like painting, I noticed I’m more patient, more loving, more giving with others especially with my relationships. It’s an amazing outcome. My boyfriend encourages me to keep painting because he benefits from it the most.

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Any advice for other aspiring crafters/makers/illustrators?
A lot of people who inquire or sign up for my workshop tell me they want to join but they’re not creative or they’re not good with art. I always go back to my mantra by Julia Cameron, author of the book “The Artists Way”, she says it best with these wise words, “SERIOUS ART IS SERIOUS PLAY”. Give yourself the permission to be a creative being. Be open and just let things flow. Reality is you don’t become a master overnight! It sure won’t come so easily at first, BUT just let yourself play. Keep playing it’s a form of practice, later on the skills come like how it’s come to me ☺

What do you do to beat a ‘creative block’?
Two ways — I sit down to meditate or I sit down to daydream. Ideas flow the most when I’m in these states.

Give us 3 essentials you must have in your toolbox at all times.
Watercolor set, some tape, and scissors!

Why should people get their hands busy (and start crafting)?
The results are different for each person. It’s one of the tools I use to heal myself. It’s made me feel whole especially when I’m in the zone. It brings me in the now and I like it that way. I like me that way – focused and creative.

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Where can we find your work?
Visit my online home www.hellofelice.com! You’ll find my wonderful artworks in La Pomme in the Collective, surf shop Coast Thru Life in Cubao X, Nothing But H2O Alabang Town Center & D’mall Boracay and soon to be in Seagreen Lifestyle Café & Shop in Davao. Have a lookie folks!
If you have more questions to ask you may email me at jofsering@gmail.com