Jo Galang first began to cherish the swirls and waves of the paintbrush at a very young age. Back in the Philippines where she was born, she used to volunteer to make classmates’ artworks just so she could explore what else could be made from the playful colors that mesmerized her so. The fourth in a family of seven children, Jo was the designated artist—the go-to sister when someone needed a drawing for class, or a creative installation as a project. Unbeknownst to anyone, this is the seed that blossoms into what is known today as Jo Galang’s artwork.
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Jo moved to British Columbia Canada during the early 80s and built her family. She found work as a graphic artist; put her passion aside and took on the role of a devoted wife and a loving mother. After years of employment in a highly technical post, Jo decided that she was ready to go on her own—setting up her own graphic design business. Following years of experience and her burning passion for design, Jo Galang’s business flourished. However prosperous, there remained a single pinch of longing inside her—it was that subtle sound of brush-on-canvas and the slow unfolding of a personal masterpiece that reined her back.
Juggling family life and her business, Jo managed to finally find time to paint. She would stay up at night, find solace in her home studio, and lose herself in painting—her first love. She would soak up on imagery during the day—watching people, searching for that warm-lighted landscape—and paint under the cloak of night. While everybody is fast asleep, Jo’s seed is finally breaking ground and rising out into the world. “The human figure has always been a fascinating subject,” shares Jo. “The beauty of the human form, the contours, the expression on people's faces, the emotions I see through their eyes, the play of light and shadows, the texture of hair are what I find inspiring,” breathes the artist. Indeed, her artworks exude positivity more than anything else. Love, serenity and joy radiates from the canvas as seagulls play on the shore (“Serenity on Porteau Cove”) and girls collect seashells by the bay (“Afternoon Tide”). Jo continues, “The play of light on the subject always grabs me. Landscapes have always been one of my favorite subjects. Texture and light in nature excites me! One of the things I easily get attracted to is light and shadow in nature, textures, the shape of things, warm and cool colors juxtaposed together.” Equipped with the fiery desire to make and share her vision on canvas, Jo has committed to pursue painting fulltime. Her impressionistic and realistic fusion of art, combined with her dedication on making audiences experience warmth and joy finally comes into the spotlight. |