Addie Cukingnan’s love for nature blossoms in her upcoming exhibit, “Color My World,” at Galerie Francesca Megamall, which also celebrates her 30 years in the art world.
“Florals are really what I love to paint,” says Addie. “And the variety of colors and foliage in nature is what inspires me. Colors make me happy.”
The centerpiece of the exhibit is Porcelain Jars and Pink Magnolias, a 48” x 96” masterpiece that exemplifies Addie’s heritage and floral focus. “It shows a little bit of my heritage in the Chinese porcelain, and my favorite subject magnolias,” she explains.
Addie’s creative process is deeply rooted in observation. “My inspiration always starts with what I see, usually when I’m gardening or visiting captivatingly curated gardens abroad,” she says. “I want to capture as close as possible the beauty of God’s creation.”
36x24 inches, acrylic & oil on canvas, 2023
“Color my World” is a testament to Addie’s evolution as an artist. While acrylics were her initial medium, she has since embraced oil. Her subjects have expanded to include figures, landscapes, and even abstracts, but her signature style remains the incorporation of florals.
Looking back at her career, Addie cherishes the milestones: exhibits that benefit charities, her time on the executive council of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and her groundbreaking exhibit in New York. She also fondly remembers forming art groups that brought her lifelong friendships.
When asked about her motivation, Addie beams, “Tending to my garden in Tanay always gives me little floral surprises for inspiration. Witnessing beautiful scenery on my travels also keeps me inspired and motivated.”
Her passion for nature extends to her latest coffee table book, which serves as a companion to this exhibit. “My painting style has evolved since the release of my last coffee table book in 2008,” she explains,” so I just wanted to document the past 16 years. Also, with the inclusion of Bible verses this time around, I wanted it to be a tribute and connect the audience to God as the Divine Artist and Creator of all these beautiful things we see in nature.”
Addie’s advice for aspiring artists is both practical and inspiring: “Be disciplined and professional,” she says. “Train yourself to paint every day. Experiment and learn new things, so that you can develop your own unique techniques. Find your own style that you can be identified with. It’s discipline, more than inspiration, that moves you forward.”
Success for Addie is living a life filled with passion and purpose. “Success is being able to do what you love for a living, being surrounded by the people whose company you enjoy!” she says. “I love to paint, and some of the best friends I’ve made are also my artist friends.
“Color My World” opens on June 24 and runs until July 7 at Galerie Francesca Megamall.