NATURE is commonly associated with “green,” as it is tagged as the “color of life.” Green can also mean renewal, growth, and freshness.
But blue can also be the color of nature.
Edzon dela Cruz is a self-taught artist, whose artworks are predominantly in blue color with textured effects, giving off the feeling of being cool and implying truth, heaven, eternity, faith and ever-lasting happiness.
And in his latest solo art exhibit, located at Restaurant Damaso in SM Downtown Premier, Cagayan de Oro City, Cruz materialized his love for both nature and art through his works.
The #bluetextureeffects is an exhibit, which will run from August 5 to September that showcases landscapes and sceneries as Edzon's signature subjects all the while applying his blue texture effects in his artworks.
“Nature kasi always makikita mo sa palibot. Hindi lang beauty ng nature ang makikita mo (You can always see nature. The beauty of nature is not the only thing you can see), the paintings also remind us to take good care of our mother nature,” Cruz said.
“I always show my appreciation for beauty of nature and how it imparts on our daily lives. It is also an exploration of new subjects using my blue textured effects,” he added.
His artworks, according to Edzon, are an outlet of his feelings. Whatever is in his heart, he paints them. And at present, nature has been in his mind and heart.
“Di ko masyadong iniisip kung may impact or may ma inspire sa artworks ko, basta ang iniisip ko lang kung ano yong lumalabas sa feelings ko. Pag nag pipinta ako, nilalabas ko lang kung ano ang nasa puso ko (I don't think about whether my works will leave an impact or inspire people. What I think about is how to get my feelings out through my paintings. I paint what is in my heart),” Cruz said.
Although he doesn't think of his art as something that gives inspiration to its viewers, Edzon said he noticed some people who were motivated to paint after seeing his artworks.
The #bluetectureeffects exhibit is his fourth solo exhibit. His first was way back in 2003 in Iligan City entitled “Talan-awon.”
His second and third solo exhibits were in Cagayan de Oro City, the former in 2014 and the latter in 2015.
Cruz also took part in several group exhibits not only in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan but also in the cities of Dipolog and Davao, and even in Saudi Arabia.
Even though Edzon did not have an art coach nor did he go into an art school or college of arts like famous artists and award-winning painters, the fact that he was able to orchestrate solo and group exhibits shows that you don't have to be a fine arts degree holder to be this talented of an artist.
“Wala ko nag college (I did not go to college). That's why they consider me as self-taught artist,” Cruz said.
Growing up in a family whose favorite past time is painting and with the abundant art books to read, Edzon was exposed to the world of art in a young age.
According to him, his talent was inherited from his father, Eduardo dela Cruz, who is a trade school teacher.
Cruz was able to work in advertising - arts and signs - in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Metro Manila for years and it was not until 1998 that he went to Saudi Arabia and worked as a fulltime artist/painter.
He was in Saudi Arabia for 15 years (1998 to 2003). During his time abroad, he participated in three group exhibits: Philippine Independence Day Exhibit in June 2011; Real Colors 3 - International Art Exhibit in October 2011; and Philippine Independence Day Exhibit in June 2012.
At present, he is working as a full time artist with his bases in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.
Although it is not rare to find artists that paint nature as their subject, what's amazing is Edzon's focus on creating his artworks using a single dominant color without losing its aesthetic appeal.
Blue, for some, may symbolize sadness and depression as the saying goes: “feeling blue” or “getting the blues.” However, for Edzon, blue is the new color of nature.