WELCOME TO ARTIST VILLAGE: ANGONO, RIZAL

In the heart of town folks, there is only one place who preserve the golden blessings of God with full of distinctive features. Such features are, cherished Filipino customs and tradition, the warm atmosphere created by the community, and hundredths of born masters including gifted children. These remarkable slices of life could only be found in the Artist Village of Angono, residing in the province of Rizal, Philippines.

Visual Arts has been the framework of this naive locality. In fact, the International Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco have adorned the history of this village. Until 1972, three years after his death. Carlos dream became true in making Angono as the Art Capital of the Philippines by establishing numerous association such as Angono Atelier Association and Angono Artist Association headed by Nemiranda and Jose Blanco.

The multitalented Geraldine Vitor Hernandez-Martens, professionally signed as Geraldine hails from Angono, Rizal, Philippines. Born on the 27th day of February, 1972 and a product of Philippine Women’s University, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Design and Music and Bachelor of Mass Communication. An assertive female artist of the 90’s, Geraldine was distinguished as a Singing Painter, a writer, composer and designer. She has contributed in the World of Arts History and was introduced internationally since 1995. She expressed her turbulent and dramatic nature and still life in her paintings that can be read as raw outpourings of emotions. However, the artist who widely known as one of the strongest influences of the 20th-century has been ready for her bold, uncompromising brushstrokes and her use of pure and intense color. Until she was 18 did Geraldine Vitor Hernandez-Martens diverse on her career as an artist. Influenced by her natural surroundings, she began painting brilliantly to experiment with color, developing the exciting color combinations that lead to the creation of her own unmistakable and individual style. She also believe that music is another language of expression that gives melody and rhythm towards her virtue of motivation that contribute massively in her creation.

Geraldine move to Maastricht, The Netherlands which is hosted by Director Marc H.J.P. Daenen of Center for European Studies. These marked the start of her most productive period. Inspired by her green lushing landscape and highlighted still lifes. It was in Europe that she painted the first international wall paintings size 1352 ft. followed by her Second Major Exhibit commemorating the late renowned classic and impressionist artist of Europe, Paul Emile Daenen to complete her Master Degree in Arts as she immediately proceed to United States of America for succeeding art expositions.

Geraldine return back in the Philippines in 1998 as she served as an inclusive individual that really brought her country’s honor, pride and prestige for the future generation. An Artist that Paints Art from Her Hearts despite from her uncontrollable feelings of motivation expressed on blank canvases.

Geraldine continue her sojourn in the World of Arts History as she open a new life of art with passion to translate these impressions and feelings into paintings in such a successful manner, at such an early age in her life. Nevertheless, these influences never made her distort nature. But instead, she made beautiful impressions of life and nature that also captured her feelings and the atmosphere as experienced by her which filled her works with vitality and emotion. In doing so, her paintings do not “copy” nature, as on photo, but change it through the incorporation of the experiences at that time and place.