Once a fashion model, now an artist, Conchitina Sevilla-Bernardo proves that it’s never too late to learn something new.
The septuagenarian mounts her first solo exhibition, featuring 36 of her paintings, at Sunshine Place—the senior recreation center where she learned how to paint and developed her talent.
Bernardo discovered her talent and passion for the arts when she started attending workshops at the Sunshine Place under Art Association of the Philippines president Fidel Sarmiento in February 2016.
“I can go from 10 in the morning to 6 in the evening just painting and I thank maestro Fidel Sarmiento for unselfishly teaching me from zero,” she shared.
Notwithstanding an ailment (extreme tachycardia or irregular heart rhythm) as well as a traumatic experience with an art teacher in Chinese painting who turned her down and asked her to look for another hobby, the etiquette and social grace instructress persevered and eventually amazed everyone with her work.
“Painting is like calisthenics,” she said. “It exercises your mind as you do your strokes and helps delay aging process. I find it very useful for me because it keeps me alert, helps me focus, and most of all, it makes me happy.”
Her first ever painting was “The Mare and Her Foal” in graphite, acrylic, and bronze leaf.
Some of her artworks that comprise her solo show “Gilded Graphite” include poignant portraits of endangered species of birds and deer, her “spirit animal,” as well as canvasses that bloom with hydrangea, her favorite flower.
Bernardo’s show runs from July 30 to August 8 at Sunshine Place. Proceeds from the sale of her paintings will be for the benefit of the San Lorenzo Ruiz Home for the Elderly.
Acrylic Painting Classes at Sunshine Place are held every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for beginners; and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for intermediate/advanced and large canvass students.
Call (02) 856-4162 or 0917-515-5656, or email seniorhubjupiter@gmail.com for inquiries.