COLOR, lines and perceptions—sum up the artistry of Dino Dante K. Pajao, a young but seasoned artist from Maasin City, Southern Leyte.
Dino’s favorite is watercolor painting, but he also has a master stroke when it comes to pencil and charcoal.
At 36, his passion for his craft has brought him to distant places from his home in Maasin City, to Cebu City and Singapore.
Butong or young coconuts
To date, Dino is the only Filipino member of the legendary Singapore Watercolour Society (SWS), said to be the oldest, most prestigious watercolor society in Singapore. He participates in their annual art exhibits, and at the same time conducts art workshops to kids and adults.
Curious innocence
“I am a happy and proud Pinoy. So far I’m the only Filipino who made it to the Singapore Watercolour Society,†he shared. He once represented the country, along with other six Filipino artists, in an Asian International Watercolour Exhibition in Shanghai, China.
Liloan Lighthouse
Abroad, Dino balances his time between his profession as a license architect/landscape designer and his passion as a painter. He is married to Ethelrida Camiguin-Pajao, his eternal muse.
Dino is also an active member of Urban Sketchers, a group of artists, architects, designers, and illustrators who are into urban landscape sketching based in Singapore.
Spices
The longing for home with family and friends dominates the themes in Dino’s art works.
For this reason, he co-founded “Mantsa†or Maasinhong Abilidad Nagkahiusa Tumong sa Arte, together with Dennis Lim, Jham Hatayna Jr., and other art enthusiasts from Maasin City who are working abroad.
During their vacations in the country, they would organize art workshops to expose their fellow Maasinhons into new breed of arts they’ve learned overseas.
Summer
Dino’s initial shot of success in the competitive world of art started way back in
Insights
2003 when he won the grand prize in the 13th Dona Modesta Gaisano Singson Painting contest—student category. He was finishing his degree in architecture at the Cebu Institute of Technology— University that time. Thereafter the city government of Maasin commissioned him to do some art works on the tourism advantages of the city.
Asked to give advice to other young and aspiring Filipino artists today, Dino said : “Look out for inspiration. Take time to walk around to see things and experience life. The modern world may have the gift of technology, but there is surely no substitute for human interactions. Stay true to one’s roots.â€
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