Monday, August 30, 2004 Of art and dreams By Kathy Villalon Cinco
VERNEIL "Joejo" Visitacion does not waste time.
Born with an inclination towards the arts and dreaming to have his own art shop since he was a kid, Visitacion grabs every opportunity in order to achieve the goal that he sets his heart to.
He wanted to excel as an artist and that was realized when at the age of 12, he became the city's representative to the 3rd Science Art Contest of Caltex, DECs and DOST and received an appreciation from then President Corazon Aquino at Malacanang Palace. He made that trip along with his art teacher and mentor, the late Dominador Jimenez. "Sir Jimenez never stopped teaching me about art. He brought me to many exhibits and continued to train me. I owe him what I know now," Visitacion said. He added that his uncle, Orville Visitacion also influenced him a lot.
The efforts paid off. He was hailed as the Outstanding Artist of the Year in 1989 in A. Montes I Elementary School and on 1993 and 1997 at the University of Iloilo where he graduated with a degree in Accountancy.
Through the years, he has joined in different art competitions that ranged from on-the-spot drawing, poster making and mural painting and won in many of these. Visitacion's style borders on the abstract. "That's how I show my statement, through my abstract paintings," says Visitacion. "I want to arouse the curiosity of people. Unlike in a realistic painting, people already know what you are portraying," he adds.
He is the founder and president of the Ilonggo Society of Modern Art (Isma), auditor of the Iloilo Visual Artists Association) and member of the Laragway Artists Group.
Another dream that has come true for Visitacion is having his own art shop. After working in Saudi Arabia for two years and at a young age of 28, he finally opened the Lienrev Computer and Art Services, located in Mapa Street, Iloilo City. Going on its second year, the shop offers just about anything that Visitacion is capable of, which is, a lot.
Apart from being a painter, he creates stage backdrops, gives art workshop and tutorials in many kinds of media, makes costumes, masks and mascots, engages in body and skin painting, expert in computer graphics such as layouts, designs and logos, introduces the modern techniques in art like airbrush painting an digital art as well as an expert in video and photography. And yes, he's a kung fu expert too.
Strategies
Visitacion, a self-taught businessman, admits that starting his own business was not easy.
"At first, it was difficult. But I'm glad I have my partner, Faith, who supports me. While other people discouraged me from getting into this business, she prodded me to go on. Then, I used whatever experience I gained from being a working student and my work abroad. I came up with a marketing strategy that worked," he said.
Visitacion's strategy was to become aggressive in his networking. He came up with calling cards, joined groups and accepted every invitation there is so he can meet more people. He also made advertisements like posters and hung them on the places of his friends. "My best strategy so far is giving commissions to agents who sell my work," he said. He also revealed that he uses his free time to list down things that he has to do, go out and follow-up people he had met in the past who might need his services.
Three men have actually influenced Visitacion on how he pursues his business. They are tycoon Aristotle Onassis, computer wiz Bill Gates and song icon John Lennon. He has video tapes of Onassis, books by Bill Gates and artworks of Lennon. His mini library also consists of books on the different programs needed for desktop publishing like Photoshop and Coreldraw. These are where he gets ideas on creating designs for calling cards, wedding invitations and other social cards. He also has a wide selection of art books.
"In our technologically-inclined times, one has to adjust too. That is why I have nothing against art done by the computer. After all, it's still you who creates it. Apart from being flexible with the computer, your creative mind is still needed."
Mentor
Visitacion shares his knowledge of art to the younger set. He holds art workshops every Saturday and Sunday. Just recently, his first batch of young artists graduated and will soon start another workshop on September 4.
Being Visitacion's student has its perks and one of them is the automatic membership in the Isma.
"My purpose is to give them an outlet, a group that they can turn to after their workshop. I also help them in joining contests. In fact, I have two students who won first place in the painting contest held in relation to the Seafdec Aquaculture Week and Nutrition Month," he said.
More dreams
After his two dreams were realized, what's next?
A frustrated architect, Visitacion decides to go into schooling again, but not architecture, his first love. Rather, he plans to take up Fine Arts Major in Advertising. He believes that one has to continue educating oneself in order to be better and more competitive.
"Then, I dream of myself using the latest high technology art gadgets ten years from now," Visitacion said with a grin.
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