Naomi Banal’s journey as an artist is a testament to the power of reinvention. At 50, an age when many consider settling into comfortable routines, she ignited a passion that had been dormant for years and launched her artistic career. That was in 2019. With her fourth solo show, “Endless Possibilities IV,” opening at Arte Bettina in Greenbelt 5 this March, she’s proving that creativity knows no age limits.

“This show is very much a continuation of my past solo exhibits,” says Naomi. “I continue to push the boundaries of my works.” That drive is evident in the collection, a vibrant tapestry of color and form that defies convention.

A hallmark of Naomi’s exhibitions is her commanding 5x5 foot canvases, bold statements that capture the viewer’s attention. This year, she unveils a new exploration of earth tones, seamlessly weaving them into her signature luscious palette. “I really like how I was able to incorporate them with my vibrant colors,” she says. 

But it is the unconventional canvas shapes that truly set this exhibition apart. “I definitely have some interesting, out-of-the-box shapes for this show,” explains Naomi. “They are more organic, similar to how the paint strokes of my current works flow. I cannot define what the actual shape is, but I’m really excited to showcase these pieces.”

Her creative process is as disciplined as it is intuitive. She treats her studio time like a nine-to-five job, balancing her artistic pursuits with her roles as a mother, wife, sister, and aunt.

“My creative process starts with getting inspiration from the colors around me,” says Naomi. “I ask myself if this kind of blue will go well with this particular kind of green. Then I mix my own colors. I sometimes visualize how they will pair together by working first on small pieces. I usually look for color harmony and the overall composition. But most of the time, I’m brave enough to work straight on a big canvas.”

Her artistic influences are as expansive as her canvases. She cites Helen Frankenthaler and Mark Rothko as significant inspirations, having had the privilege of seeing their works firsthand. 

Described by an art critic as “lyrical,” her style is characterized by flowing lines and transparent layers of color. It’s a style born from a deep understanding of color harmony and composition.

“I want to show that creativity and your capabilities as a person are boundless,” says Naomi. “For my works, I used a variety of canvas sizes and paint colors. For myself, all of my roles as a mother, wife, daughter, sister, and aunt all contribute to what I am as an artist. There is no limit to what I can achieve.”

This message resonates powerfully during Women's Month as Naomi boldly presents her large, colorful abstract art. “Since March is Women's Month, I do think I am making a statement by being a woman in her mid-50s doing big and colorful abstract art,” she says.

Despite her success, she admits she has to deal with some challenges. “I’m not a techie person and so I’m learning to deal with things like social media, digital documents, and photo editing,” Naomi points out. “I can learn all of these but not as fast as the new generation.”

Looking ahead, she says she wants “to explore installation art and add another medium to my works.”

“Endless Possibilities IV,” more than just an exhibition, is a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the boundless potential within each of us. Naomi Banal's story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to pursue your passion and that the possibilities, indeed, are limitless.

“Endless Possibilities IV” opens at Arte Bettina on the third level of Greenbelt 5 in Makati City, from March 1 to 13, with an opening reception on March 1 at 5 p.m.