Maridee Rodriguez can be considered a late-bloomer in the visual art scene.
Her passion for the arts began when she was in high school, doodling comic characters such as Dagwood, Richie Rich, and Little Lotta, among others. At an early age, she wanted to further explore her love for the arts, but it was only after getting married that she got a chance to pursue it.
Rodriguez explored her artistic ideations by taking up painting lessons with notable artists such as Rody Herrera, Agnes Sison, Jeffrey Consumo, Nick Calma, Ramon Vivas, and Roland Santos.
She enjoys using different media for her paintings—from charcoal, pen and ink, and pastel, to acrylic, oil, and watercolor. While Rodriguez considers herself a realist and impressionist, she has tried various styles ranging from abstract to pointillism.
Today, she has finally mounted her solo art exhibition featuring a collection of paintings that captures her nature-inspired artistic soul. For Rodriguez, the world we live in is “paradise, God’s creation and gift.”
Entitled Paradise on Canvas, the show at The Podium serves as Rodriguez’s way to present God’s creations through her artwork.
With artist Jeffrey Consumo, known as former President Corazon Aquino’s art teacher, as her mentor, Rodriguez has given life to paintings featuring idyllic landscapes, lush and colorful flora, quaint streetscapes, and moving renditions of everyday life.
Aside from celebrating the beauty of nature and artistic exploration, Paradise on Canvas is also an exhibition for a cause, as a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the St. Madeleine Sophie Foundation in Rodriguez, Rizal.
The foundation channels its efforts toward molding and educating young minds in the hometown of her husband, former Congressman Isidro Rodriguez, Jr. It provides preschool education, as well as school supplies and nutritional food to about a hundred children yearly, and also offers free tutorials to students.
Family members, friends, and art lovers gathered for the opening of the exhibition.
SM assistant vice president Ian Mathay and SM senior vice president Millie Dizon welcomed the guests, which included Mandaluyong City Mayor Carmelita “Menchie” Abalos, former Speaker of the House Jose de Venecia and wife Gina, international model Tetta Agustin and husband Christian Baverey, and Rodriguez’s classmates from Assumption College.