The delicate art of Reynaldo Gatmaitan

IT STARTED more as a hobby for Reynaldo Gatmaitan. Having finished Architecture, he started his first art works initially by copying from originals and making duplicates, and his art medium of choice then was watercolor.

His artworks, then and even now have very good attention to structure, detail and color. Since watercolor dries incredibly fast, Rey had to pre-set his ideas to make sure that he places on canvas his exact views and thoughts.

He started with a few commissioned works focusing more on familiar structures like old houses and edifices and later venturing into blending scenery. After eight years in Saudi Arabia, Rey began to pursue his fascination with oil painting.

“I really got hooked into oil painting. It is a bit fascinating and involves a lot of attention and patience,” Rey told this columnist in an afternoon interview at his home in Angeles City.

It was along Friendship Avenue that he was first captivated by oil paintings in the workshop of artist Arvin Tayag. Little by little Rey had managed to learn most of the tricks of the trade through innocent inquiries.

Soon enough, Rey mastered the delicate art of blending light and dark shades and transforming his paintings into masterful renditions. But unlike other artists who wait for inspiration and the “mood” to make their crafts, Rey would look for the inspiration than to wait for it.

“When I am not inspired I tend to look for inspiration or at least get myself to be inspired to actually make my paintings,” Rey said.

He spends his day with his artworks; a visit to his house in Angeles City would reveal a throng of good works dating back to his early exposure into art.

Most of the art works that he would consider his “magnum opus,” however, have ended into the hands of art collectors and commissioned projects by art patrons.

Reynaldo Gatmaitan’s works are delicate; each proceeded with precision lines of detail and clarity. His watercolor paintings are organized in the presentation of detail and every stroke seemed to have been chiseled into the canvass. It is no wonder that he has been making the rounds of exhibits here.

Rey had been a part of major Kapampangan artist exhibits like those organized by International Christian Artist, Samut Sari Art Exhibit organized by the Museo Ning Angeles, Alaya Chamber of the Arts Exhibits and major exhibits staged mostly at SM malls here.

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