Artist Katrina Pallon‘s work is as captivating as it is magical, immersing the viewer into a lush, gorgeous, and feminine realm. Based in the Philippines, her artwork resonates with people around the globe. Had she not become an artist, she would either be flying commercial planes or designing video games.
Flowers in the Old Quarter
1. How would you describe your art?
Steeped in mythologies and folklore, and centered on women’s stories.
2. Where are you based, and does your location have any influence on your art?
I’m based in Manila, Philippines and yes, Manila being a cultural melting pot has largely influenced my work. More so, being in South East Asia which is so culturally rich and diverse has given me a plethora of histories, myths, architecture, and even textiles to take inspiration from.
The High Priestess
3. Did you know you wanted to be an artist as a child, and did you go to art school? If not, how did your art path develop?
I’ve always been into the arts when I was a child – I was the default school representative for art contests and workshops, but I never considered a career in fine arts growing up. My initial dream was to be a video game designer, so I took a degree in Visual Communication in the College of Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines Diliman thinking it was the closest course I can get to achieve my desired profession at the time. This shifted my goal to becoming an art director for an ad agency in the process instead. But it wasn’t until I interned as a graphic artist during my fourth year in college at sculptor Ferdinand Cacnio’s atelier that I changed my mind and considered getting into fine arts with his encouragement.
4. Did anyone else greatly influence your art – for example, a relative, another artist, a particular art era or movement, or a muse?
I would say Ferdinand Cacnio has greatly influenced my art. I was dabbling in watercolor when I did graphic design for his atelier, and back then, I created small works on paper. It was he and his wife who gave me the idea to shift to oils and create pieces on canvas. It took me quite a few years before I heeded their advice.
5. What is your perspective on Artificial Intelligence and whether or not it can be used as a tool for artists. If it can be, how would it be used?
I am against the use of AI in art-making. While there are people who may argue that it can be used as a tool in generating images to help visualize a composition, this would be taking away a huge part of the creative process, which is forming tableaus in one’s imagination. Not only does AI steal art from artists by producing soulless derivatives of their work without their consent, but it also deprives artists of work opportunities and diminishes the value of creative work.
Mother of Dragons
6. Knowing it’s impossible to choose a favorite piece (it’s like having to choose a favorite child), what is one of your pieces that you absolutely love?
I have several favorites actually – all my paintings from my “She, the Dragon” series which I consider the most intricate pieces I’ve made to date, and my work “Just Like Heaven” in which I paid homage to the 4 cats I adopted during the height of the pandemic and encapsulated my love for felines.
Just Like Heaven
7. Do you have a favorite artist or one you find inspiring?
Frida Kahlo, Aya Kato, Gustav Klimt, Anita Magsaysay-Ho, Takato Yamamoto are at the top of my list of favorites.
Blossoms of Grief
8. How do you see your work evolving? Do you have any specific goals, or do you follow your inspiration where it leads you?
While I don’t see myself shifting to another medium, I’d like to be able to create more complex compositions on canvas and perhaps even create pieces that can also be functional and/or free-standing.
9. If you weren’t an artist, what would you be instead?
I would probably either be a video game designer or a commercial airline pilot.
Cerulean Feathers and Scarlet Skies
10. What is the tough thing about being an artist, and what is the great aspect of it?
The toughest thing about my work is having to work long hours to complete a painting. As an active person, I find that this keeps me from keeping a regular training schedule as there are days when I need to cancel training especially when deadlines need to be prioritized. The great aspect of it, on the other hand, is I get to manage my own work schedule.
11. What is your schedule as an artist… Do you work by day or night, or both, and do you work as long as you please or do you slate particular time frames for creating?
As a creature of habit, I try to keep a regular working schedule to maintain a good work-life balance as best as I can. I start painting as early as 6 or 7 in the morning to make the most out of daylight which I think is best for mixing the right colors, then I try to end by sunset. Of course this changes depending on the deadline and/or if I am in the mood to get an idea materialized on canvas in the evening.
Spring Maidens
12. How do you market and promote your artwork or portfolio website?
I post works in progress in my Instagram stories, and photos of finished works and exhibit openings on both my Instagram and Facebook page. And since Instagram has been favoring reels more and I understand that the market/ audience seems to be currently more interested in seeing the process more than the finished product, I try to create reels showing a time-lapse of some of my paintings from start to finish.
Follow @KatrinaPallon on IG + @KatrinaPallonArt on Facebook.
Duyog
13. Do you have any exciting, heartening, disheartening, or alarming customer tales?
I get messages and emails from time to time from people from different parts of the world telling me how certain works of mine have resonated with them. And it’s always these messages that I find heartening and reassuring that my works are seen.
14. Is it sometimes tough to part with a piece you created because you put so much of yourself in it?
Yes. For pieces that really hold so much meaning for me, I keep them when they’re not sold for the duration of the exhibit they were painted for.
15. Do you gift loved ones and friends with art, or keep those realms separate and view it strictly as a business?
I don’t as much as possible, to discourage the notion that people can just ask artists to make something for them for free or for “exposure” – a sadly normalized practice which devalues the craft.
The Blossoming of Benzaiten
16. What do you want to tell readers about the art world?
The art world is basically like any other workplace. No matter how individualistic the work can be, artists still need to maintain contacts, socialize especially during events, and most importantly, market their work.
17. How did you choose the particular type of art you create over other types of art? Do you go through phases where you’ll try different mediums, sizes, styles of art or do you deep dive into the area you want to fully fathom?
Women have always been my favorite subject to depict ever since I started with our stories being universal, regardless of race and time. I did have a watercolor phase right after graduating from college, then I shifted to oils and started creating much larger pieces a few years later.
Dartagnan the Enlightened
18. Where can readers purchase your art?
Interested buyers may contact me through my social media accounts or drop me an email at katrinapallon@gmail.com so I can send a catalogue of my available pieces or talk about commissions/ projects. Follow @KatrinaPallon on IG + @KatrinaPallonArt on Facebook.
19. Do you have any insightful tips for emerging artists?
Marketing your art is as important as putting your work out there. Do not be afraid of getting rejected – pass/email your portfolio to that gallery or apply for that artist residency you’ve always been nervous about. When you hit an artist’s block, take a break but keep creating — sketch or jot down ideas to keep the inspiration flowing. There’s a Pablo Picasso quote that I’ve taken to heart for such instances: “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” And lastly, never be complacent. Always strive to continue enhancing your craft because there is always something you will need to improve.
Little Women in Fur Coats
