This “artrepreneur” is a home-based online worker since college, which makes the job compatible to her lifestyle.
It is completely amazing to me, that in less than ten years, Davao City has grown exponentially in terms of infrastructure, the local economy, and unfortunately but unavoidably, highway traffic—due to a high influx of new residents in this gem of a city in Mindanao.
With its accessibly remarkable sea to summit location, our beloved city is able to balance an urban lifestyle and the peacefulness and safety of rural living. What was once a socially desolate place where people hardly ever eat out and the streets are quiet by 9PM, have become the latest hub for local and international cuisine and for art and culture events. I, for one, am very excited and pleased that the art community is finally shooting off the charts through productivity, participation, support and activities. And a little known fact, numerous of our local artists were already international exhibitors and award-winners even before the proliferation of art in the city. It is truly well overdue that the whole nation should know the artistic talents that Davao City has and that the major art share is not only in Metro Manila.
What is most great about any form of art is that anybody can do it with or without formal education—whether it’s some sort of crafting jewelries or pottery, performance art, and/or painting—plus, you can make a living out of it eventually! One of those talented people that turned “just doodling” into a financial favor is Dabawenya, Reanne Ramos-Bote.
“I’ve never had anyone teach me how to draw. Even in high school my classmates knew I sketched and doodled a lot and so whenever there were drawing tasks needed in school, they would request me to draw something for them. Since I do it all the time, it is like my pen is already an extension of my arm. It was only just recently that I had the chance to be taught the basics of oil and classical drawing by Sir Alfred Galvez—a well-known artist in Manila as well as now in Davao, and I am really grateful to pick up a lot of new things from him,” Reanne shares.
This “artrepreneur” is a home-based online worker since college, which makes the job compatible to her lifestyle and allows her to focus on her art right after she clocks-out on her computer. My side art “rackets” involve custom murals and paintings from friends and referrals.
“My very first mural exposure was in Sales Bar Tekanplor where I started to love painting on walls and the long, long process for it. The time put into it and the physical challenges I had to do, like standing on three stacked tables just to paint on this high wall (while holding a tie box for “safety”), I found was well worth the experience and passion put into it! For other big-scale artworks, I also did the roses and vines on the glasses of Royal Bread Haus and have painted a couple of Crossfit gyms in Davao and in Panabo, and I gladly did a safari theme for the Panabo Medical Hospital Children’s Ward to brighten up the patients’ day,” Reanne triumphantly says.
Whether her projects are big or randomly small, like requests for customized guitars, ukulele, masks, and phone cases, the artist is able to feel a certain connection to people through their appreciation and trust that makes each and every project challenging yet fulfilling.
To inquire and know more about the featured artist’s portfolio and pricing, please visit her Facebook page: “Strokes and Sheet Art Gallery”. Through each and everyone’s support and local appreciation, Davao City’s art life is here!
