What do you think is Asia's major role in Art? Asia has a diverse culture and rich history reflected in our Art. It has many countries that are different from one another, and with that, I think Asian art can offer endless experiences and inspiration to people worldwide. Also, with our art, you can immerse in the culture, lifestyle, history, and vibrant landscapes, which are different from western art. Describe the art scene in the Philippines. Where I am from, the art scene is very much alive. When you visit Cebu, art is evident even on the streets. We also have painting exhibits, galleries, and organizations where emerging artists can join, interact and share ideas. Being in a club also helped when I first started with digital art. It gave me ideas about suitable devices, the programs to use, where to land clients, etc. Social Media also plays a significant role in showcasing our artwork. I've connected with artists across the Philippines and met clients locally and internationally.
Where is a good place to seek art inspiration in your country?
The Philippines has different cultures, languages, food, and scenery. Every region is somehow different. You can find inspiration anywhere. But for me, since I love illustrating people and fashion, Cebu is a great place. It is a bustling city. The people are trendy, excellent art community and you can easily immerse yourself in nature, you can go up in the mountains and the sea just a few hour's drive from the city. But I also get inspired whenever I travel, Like when I went to Siargao, I got inspired by its chill and vibrant summer vibe lifestyle. That made me draw many women on surfboards, bikinis, and beaches.
I am Sybil Viviene Mulig-Emphasis, 30 years of age and currently based in Cebu, Philippines. I am a Licensed Civil Engineer, but I fell in love with art and fashion. I did not study any formal art classes. I only did summer art classes when I was a kid, so that was the closest art education that I had, everything else is from youtube, books, and self-taught. 5. Tell us how did you get into Digital Art. When did your interest in painting start? My interest in art and painting started very early in my childhood. I remember I would fill my notebooks with sketches of women and clothes. When my mother noticed my interest, she enrolled me every summer in an informal art class, where I learned the basics. When I went to college, and it was time for me to choose a career path, Fine arts or fashion-related courses were not on the cards. Firstly because it is expensive, Secondly, my mother was sick at the time, so money was tight, and thirdly, Art related courses were frowned upon because they said: "it will not generate money." So, the good choice was to stay in my hometown and study civil engineering. Time went on, and I became a fully pledged civil engineer, but my love for art and fashion is still there. So I ended up quitting my corporate job and started illustrating. It was not I got on Digital art because, at the time, it was convenient, and I could land clients more easily. And from then on, there was no turning back.
How will you describe your style in illustration? My illustrations are relatively simple. It is not very detailed and is kind of messy. It's a minimalist style with only a simple background, but I also love a splash of bold colors on the clothes. I don't consciously think about what my art style would be. I just let the art flow and do this magic. I also want to try out different styles and more complex art in colors and composition in the future so I can tell a better story. Tell us more about your exhibition – what's the story / inspiration behind this? These illustrations are a homage to the vibrant collections of major fashion houses.It is Inspired by its elaborate designs and bold colors. Two of these illustrations feature filipino fashion influencers and a design from a filipina fashion designer, Cheetah Rivera. I also love to celebrate filipino fashion in my illustrations to showcase how philippine fashion can compete on the world stage.
Did you experiment or had a new approach to this particular artwork set?
I experimented with the color palettes and how I can emphasize the colors and details of the clothes more. I also made the poses more dramatic than the reference photos.
What's next for you? Any exciting plans for the future?
After being on hiatus for a year because I gave birth to my son, I will be opening my online shop soon and hopefully will be able to launch my youtube channel next year as well. I will be offering a different kind of merch and the exciting part is that I will be making it in the comfort of my home. Also, I will be venturing into traditional art more and event illustration and doing live paintings on-site. I'm sure it will be fun! 9. What's your ultimate goal as an artist? The goal is to work with global brands, and my art will be widely recognized across the creative scene. But what keeps me going every day is that I wish my art could bring happiness to others. I hope it is something they can relate to, or feel empowered and inspired by. Just making a difference one art at a time. And with that, I could reach my ultmate goal.
What is your motto in life?
There is this quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson that says "what lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us". This quote is very powerful because often when I feel down, it gives me a little courage to try again and reminds me that I have the potential within me to reach my goals. I have to work on it a little harder and be braver; the rest are just tiny matters.
Where can people contact you or see your work?
You can see my works on my Instagram @sviviene.art or send me an email at vivienemulig@gmail.com;'