By Dr. Reina Lynn Antonio

My degrees are in the medical field but I always had the inclination toward art.

I was always doodling, sketching, and drawing growing up.  I get excited in classes with art, doing projects that involved making decorative crafts, creating posters, designing backdrops and layouts. Even setting themes in my slide presentations brought me simple joys.

I had to set my passion though for the arts in the backseat to prioritize reaching for my other dream first—be competent in healing others while being of service. I am now a nephrologist practicing at the Manila Central University (MCU), Fatima University Medical Center (FUMC)- Valenzuela, Metropolitan Medical Center, and Philippine Heart Center. I am also a faculty member of the College of Medicine at the MCU, a training officer of the Section of Nephrology of FUMC, and a medical director of Hemotek Renal Center.

I took up B.S. Pharmacy in College and then studied Medicine, and after many years of completing all the training and acquiring the knowledge and skills needed to become a medical professional, I finally found the time to make art again.   

Art is a part of me

All this time, I drew and sketched to my heart’s content.  But there was this sense that something was still missing—like a longing that I did not know existed nor understood how to satisfy, until I saw an art exhibit of Maestro Fernando Sena’s paintings in the lobby of the Medical Arts building of the Philippine Heart Center, one of the hospitals I am affiliated with. 

It featured portraits of saints, landscapes, and still life. Some of Sena’s students’ art pieces were also on display. I was astounded by the aesthetic values of the colors and line works of one of paintings.

I learned from the art handler stationed there that the painting is by one of the many scholars of Maestro Sena. The artist-student was a garbage scavenger in his teens when he was given the opportunity to learn properly and develop his talent in the art. I was encouraged by Maestro Sena’s teachings when the handler further narrated who he was, a holder of a degree in the arts and an educator. 

Sena believes that “there is no age limit for creative development and improvement… anyone can learn how to paint and make beautiful art works.” 

He repeatedly emphasizes that “all you need is the will to try and follow your dreams.”

Maestro Sena’s oldest student in his art workshop was a 64-year-old grandmother.

It was a moment of awakening. 

I realized that being in the presence of a mentor would be prudent in fulfilling that dream of becoming an artist, the cause of the longing I could not identify before.

I finally took that step to my “formal” learning in 2016. Pursuing this ambition really meant a lot of adjustments and sacrifices on my part, as I thought of my practice, my patients, and clinics to attend to, in addition to my teaching responsibilities. 

I carefully chose which venue and workshop schedule of Maestro Sena, consisting of eight sessions for each level, would fit mine. The class was worth it.

I was used to sketching and drawing but that time, I understood how to draw “properly.”

I learned more about line, color, space, depths, contrast, light and shadows, tones and values, proportions and perspective. 

Taking a hobby to the next level

I enjoyed painting with my classmates, who were mostly in grade school or high school. I did not care if their works were better than mine. I was there to learn. And I felt young again.

I enjoyed receiving those “stars” stamped on our workbooks for completing those assignments/challenges for every level. Those certificates, medals, and trophies that were rewards for doing a good job made me feel more accomplished. 

And as I progressed my art education from one level to another, I finally learned how to paint with colors.

I never told the class I was a physician, as I felt this may hamper Maestro Sena from judging my work fairly and without restraint, or my classmates from treating me casually when I value every interaction with them as a learning opportunity.

I was enjoying myself to the point I even considered taking a course in Fine Arts. But my responsibilities to my patients, students, trainees, and medical societies will always be my priority, so time did not permit me to pursue another college course.

Instead, I self-studied. I bought books and watched videos about art. I also attended other workshops, which offered variety in teaching techniques. 

I tried and experimented on all the media. I bought different brands of paper, canvases, and other materials as I believed skills and good materials were needed to create good art (though I realized later that I had become a hoarder).

And I practiced, even if other responsibilities filled up. I always made time for art.

I even boldly joined art contests like the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) art competition, Tarlac National Art Competition, and the Philippine Pastel Association (PPA) National art competition to mention a few.  

And though I did not win any prizes, which I expected, undergoing the process of creating and entering my art pieces and being part of these competitions was already an achievement for me. It was always the experience.

I even felt blessed to have my works exhibited, twice at the GSIS Museo ng Sining and then at the Tarlac Museum because of these contests.

I then enlisted in art groups, like Art M.D., composed of doctors who are doing art, and the Philippine Pastel Association, Inc. (PPA), whose members are artists that use pastel paints as medium, to name a few. It is another way to gain experience and knowledge as I created art along with professional artists during “paint” sessions as the group activity and I get to ask them about techniques and watch their style too during these “bonding” moments. 

Some expert member artists also teach or make an art demo aside from conducting painting activities.

So, like our continuing medical education activities, those sessions also serve to maintain, develop, and increase our knowledge and skills as artists while providing camaraderie. There are annual conventions too.

These groups gave me an opportunity to widen my social circle.

They also provided opportunities to join art exhibits like Kulay Pastel Exhibits with the other PPA members at the Passion Art Gallery in SM Megamall and Gateway Gallery, Galeria Alvero with Art M.D., Medical City hospital lobby for their advocacy, Artistree at Shangri-la for my medical school’s fundraising activity, Gateway art fair, and at Buklod Sining with the other PPA members. 

My works were also displayed in my medical societies’ online art exhibits.

I usually give my artworks as gifts to friends and mentors, and as tokens to guest speakers in our medical societies’ activities.

I feel honored when they proudly display my art in their clinics, home, or workplaces. 

But I feel validated especially if a stranger wants to buy or own my work. I think that makes an artist truly feel the success and elation.  Like it was a next level of label: A professional artist.

I was also commissioned to do art, which I honestly found more challenging and stressful because thoughts of disappointing the client were always unnerving. 

So, I still prefer to paint at my own leisurely pace. 

After all, painting is also meant to be my escape from a relatively “toxic” occupation, especially during this Covid pandemic. It was one of the things I turned to during those times of frustrations, fear, anxiety, loss, sadness, and depression.

It gave me hope, joy, pride, purpose, and reassurance, something to be thankful for.

I know my skills are not as good as those who had been doing art longer than I have, but I feel blessed for being part of this world.  And so I will always make time for it and my other hobbies, especially when they are my way to break the “toxic” life routine I am in. 

Art will always be my breather, my sanity keeper, and my healer.