At her preschool graduation, Cristina Castillo declared that she wanted to become an artist. As life unfolded and the responsibilities of adulthood took over, that childhood dream was set aside.

This year, Cristina chose to pursue the dream she first envisioned as a young child, embracing her long-awaited journey as an artist.

James is a chemical engineer by profession and currently serves as the Director of the National Accreditation Body of the Philippines, working in the fields of quality assurance and conformity assessment.

During the pandemic, he discovered a passion for watercolor, inspired by the medium’s magical effects. As he prepares to retire from government service next year, James looks forward to inspiring his family and friends through painting as a meaningful new chapter in life.

Jen Utleg Consumido is an Ibanag artist from the province of Cagayan with a deep passion for the visual arts. He works across a variety of mediums but is particularly drawn to watercolor—a medium often regarded as one of the most challenging to master.

A visual storyteller, Consumido vividly captures landscapes, people, and everyday moments, allowing his brushstrokes on canvas and paper to speak where words are unnecessary.

Beyond creating art, he generously shares his talent and skills through mentoring, nurturing aspiring artists with unwavering dedication and passion.

For the Coloring Lives IX Exhibit, Leslie Gatchalian dwells on Dualities of Light, exploring the diverse emotional frequencies of light by fluidly shifting between the soft intimacy of watercolor (Where Cobblestones Turn Pink: A Soft Afternoon Stroll) and heavily textured acrylic (The Silent Kaleidoscope).

A visual dialogue between stillness and motion, through modern nostalgia, she invites viewers to slow down and catch tranquil moments in their lives, whether filtering through a quiet shopfront or grazing flower fields.

Her artworks represent a continuing evolution under the guidance of Laiyan Balubayan, Eric Epe, and Jennifer Consumido.

Margarita “Maita” Fernandez is a watercolor artist who captures the beauty of landscapes that reflect local culture. Rather than focusing on intricate detail, she emphasizes color and value to evoke atmosphere and emotion. This painting was inspired by her immersion in the Spanish colonial history of the Philippines during a visit to Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. Drawn to the gentler pace of life of that era, she finds inspiration in its quiet elegance.

Maita began her dedicated studio practice in her mid-forties, a season of life in which she also sought to be gentler with herself as she embraced maturity.

Through her art, Maita invites viewers into a space of quiet stillness, offering an opportunity to slow down, reflect, and form a deeper connection with themselves.

Maria Teresa Garcia is a Filipino watercolor artist whose work celebrates the natural heritage of Surigao. Inspired by the region’s native orchids, coastal landscapes, and fragile ecosystems, she creates paintings that document places and species increasingly threatened by environmental change.

She studied watercolor under renowned artists Alice Atienza Lee, Pinky Peralta, and Jen Consumido. She is a member of the Philippine Guild of Watercolorists, Philippine Pastel Artists, and the Philippine Botanical Artists Society.

Through her paintings, Garcia combines careful observation with expressive watercolor techniques to foster a deeper appreciation for Philippine biodiversity and inspire viewers to become stewards of the country’s rich ecological and cultural heritage.

Ruby Banzon-Caragay has loved art since childhood. Now retired, she has the opportunity to fully explore her passion for painting and drawing, embracing a creative journey she has long cherished.

For Ruby, retirement is not an ending but a new beginning—one that allows her to pursue art with joy, passion, and renewed creativity.

With every brushstroke, her work reflects the fulfillment and happiness she has found in this meaningful chapter of her life.