At her pre-school graduation, Cristina Castillo said she wanted to be an artist. Life went and adulting happened. This year, she decided to pursue her childhood dream.

Having a deep passion in art Jen Utleg Consumido works in every medium available but is particularly drawn to the medium most artists evade—the watercolor. This Ybanag artist from the province of Cagayan is a storyteller who vividly narrates every scenery, people, or happenings around him without a single word but his brushstrokes on canvas and paper. (Consumido also shares his talent and skills with unwaivering love thru mentoring.)

Watercolor, a new found companion during the pandemic, opened a world that’s totally hidden from me. A secret garden that gave seasons of delight, solace and quiet hours of happiness, this form of art kept sadness at bay.

Today, I am thankful to the Senior Hub and Sir Jennifer Utleg Consumido, who at the helm of this colorful journey, hone my still rough love for watercolor painting. There’s a whole lot more to get immersed with to beautifully coax this color thru water while patience is definitely challenged.

Ruby Banzon-Caragay has loved art since she was a child. Now retired, she finally has the time to explore painting and drawing. With each brushstroke, her work reflects the joy and passion she feels at this chapter of her life. For Ruby, retirement means having all the time to be more active and creative.