Skip to main content

Illustrator Interview: Sergio Bumatay III (Part 2)

It says "Part 2" up there in the title because this is actually my second interview with Sergio Bumatay III, Filipino artist, graphic designer, and illustrator. Thank you, Serj! You can click here to read my first interview with Serj. =D In the first interview, I asked him about his influences and his creative process and I hope that serves as a good introduction to his truly amazing work.

For this interview, Serj and I focused on his illustrations for the Philippine National Children's Book Award-winning picture book Tuwing Sabado, which was written by Russell Molina. (Click here to read my interview with Russell Molina and here to read about Tuwing Sabado and the Philippine National Children's Book Awards). For this interview, Serj also gave a tour of his studio (which he calls his play room)!!


Hello again, Serj! =D

What did you most like or find most interesting about Tuwing Sabado?


Aside from the big surprise towards the end, the story is interesting because everything is well put together: the joys of counting as play is integrated and it echoes through the poetic style of the narrative. Counting was also significant in the father's poignant situation. I also wanted to capture that essence in my illustrations.


What effect or impact were you aiming for when you were working on the illustrations for Tuwing Sabado?

I wanted the visuals to look easy and stark, to draw the readers to the story. My initial study for the layout was very claustrophobic, as if the visuals as well as the text were enclosed within a box. Within the challenge of maintaining the suspense of unveiling the story's plot, I could only focus on the characters and their personal moments as found in the story. The characters' images were inspired by birds, particularly the puffin, to symbolize freedom. The characters look colorful, soft, and happy and yet there is a bit of sadness that can be perceived through their simple eyes.


Were there specific challenges to illustrating Tuwing Sabado? How did you overcome those challenges?

The major challenge was deciding on how to render it: whether realistic or whimsical. I ended up choosing the whimsical style to soften the mood of the story; I felt the issue being tackled connoted a very serious tone. Rendering it whimsically also created a timeless mood and setting. Another challenge was how to depict the father's clothes without giving the clues away. I thought that if I was going to depict the clothes that were worn here in our country that would have destroyed the twist, since the book would be read mostly by Filipino children. The uniform is so identifiable that everyone can understand what it means. So I thought putting him in a universal and classic "uniform" would perhaps do the trick.


I really appreciated that about Tuwing Sabado! It has a pretty serious theme that was balanced by the whimsical illustrations.

What does your National Children's Book Award mean to you?

The NCBA is a recognition of the hard work and dedication I place in each children's book that I illustrate. It is an inspiration for me to work harder and it reminds me that there are really so many possibilities in my chosen field. It makes me feel proud and pressured that my work as an artist too is very important and special.

What is your typical workday like?

I work most of the time during afternoons until midnight, sometimes earlier, if I don't have errands at home. Home matters/errands usually take up my mornings. I usually don't like routines, sometimes I break it up by going outside. Whenever I sketch or think a lot of things, I go to other parts of the house, since my room is claustrophobic as it is.

Do you have any rituals while working on illustrations? (For example, music you listen to while working, or favorite snacks while working, etc.)

Music does make a big difference in the mood, it keeps me up. I mostly listen to local pop music, though I also have varied interests. While working on illustrations, I don't really have a special ritual. But when I'm thinking of concepts, compositions, or thumbnails, I'm most productive when I'm lying in bed or sometimes before I sleep.

How would you describe your studio?

The place is a very small room, quite claustrophobic actually, because of the stuff I have accumulated: books, art, art materials, and other curios. Most often it is cluttered, especially when I have several deadlines at a time. The room isn't my dream studio yet, as our house is still in progress. I would have liked it to be more spacious, with lots of natural light, and well organized. I used to love the scene outside my window: the big acacia tree and open space was inspiring. Now the tree is gone and a new house filled up the space.


Here's a peek into my two and a half meters by four meters humble play room.


This is the right side of my humble room, where my drawing and painting table is, and a big shelf full of books and some toys.


This is the left side: more books. The colorful artwork at the back is my award-winning poster for UNESCO.


The three sculptures at the right were supposed to be studies for Tuwing Sabado, but I decided to make a few more as "stand alone" toys instead. The one in the middle is another experimental sculpture.


Books, books, and more books. I love to collect these 3D viewers, so far I have seven pieces and they never fail to amaze my niece and nephews.

These are the books I use for inspiration:

1. American Era Photographs 1900-1930: A Philippine Album by Jonathan Best
2. Nora's Stars by Satomi Ichikawa
3. Joseph Cornell: Master of Dreams by Diane Waldman
4. A to Z Picture Book by Gyo Fujikawa
5. Araw sa Palengke by May Tobias and Isabel Roxas [Note from Tarie: This is also a recipient of the Philippine National Children's Book Award!]

Actually most of my books are very interesting, but the ones on this list are the first in mind whenever I'm thinking of a concept for a new project.


My painting/drawing desk. Sometimes, when it gets too cluttered or I'm doing large artworks, I paint on the floor or outside the house.


Little altar where I place all things of goodness.

Serj, thank you SO much for answering my questions and for showing us your play room!

Comments

  1. i've been a fan since 1996. almost sad that after sooo many years i haven't been or seen where all the magic takes place. i hope that when sir tabachinky grows up a bit he can get to watch how Sergio does it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. It’s also the most minimally intrusive and legally permitted method of drug testing at work. Urine drug testing is rational because metabolites—the structures formed by the breakdown of all substances ingested by the body—use urine as their primary excretory route. Immunoassays, thin layer chromatography, gas chromatography, and mass spectrometry are some of the analytical methods used to detect traces of any drug in urine. Users who smoke weed less than twice a week may test positive for 1-3 days. When the candidate ingests the drug, it gets infused into the bloodstream, which circulates it to the different parts of the body, including the scalp. Here, the deposited metabolites stay until the hair strands are shed or cut off.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ako'y Isang Mabuting Pilipino (I Am A Good Filipino) by Noel Cabangon and Jomike Tejido

This one is a real crowd pleaser: Ako'y Isang Mabuting Pilipino , Lampara Books ' 2012 picture book adaptation of Noel Cabangon 's song, with Cabangon's original Filipino lyrics, functional English translations by Becky Bravo , and illustrations by Jomike Tejido ! Cabangon's inspiring lyrics remind children of the ways they can be good Filipinos, such as doing their best in school and obeying their parents. There are plenty of reminders for adults too, such as following traffic rules and not selling their votes during elections. Tejido's illustrations are warm and wholesome, acrylic paintings on hand-woven mats that depict different ways to be good citizens.    You just can't go wrong with Ako'y Isang Mabuting Pilipino ! Children and adults will understand and appreciate the lyrics and paintings. The chords of the song are provided, so music lovers can play and sing along. There are notes and guide questions for educators. There is even

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

There is a barren mountain aptly called Fruitless Mountain, and by it lies the dark Jade River. In the shadow of the mountain is a poor village where everything is the dull color of mud. In this village live Ba and Ma and their quick-thinking daughter Minli. Ba, Ma, and Minli work hard in the fields every day, yet they only have plain rice to eat for their meals. Ma sighs with discontentment all the time. Minli looks at her weary father, her dissatisfied mother, and her desolate village and wishes she knew how she could change their fortune. Ba has told Minli wonderful stories about the Never-Ending Mountain and the Old Man of the Moon who knows the answer to all important questions, for he alone holds and reads the Book of Fortune. Minli decides to find the Never-Ending Mountain and climb up to the moon so that she can ask the Old Man how she can change her family's fortune. And so begins Minli's journey. Along the way, she makes many new friends, including a dragon, a buffa

Author Interview: Edna Cabcabin Moran

This was originally posted at Into the Wardrobe on May 28, 2009. Today, I am SO PROUD to present my interview with Filipino American author illustrator Edna Cabcabin Moran . *bursts with pride* Welcome, Edna!! Author/Illustrator, Edna Cabcabin Moran. Photo by Mark Moran. Can you tell us a bit about your Asian American heritage? My parents are from Eastern Samar, Philippines, an historic island in the Visayan island chain. My father was a U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer who brought my mom and older siblings to this country. I am the first American-born child in the family. Growing up, I always felt like I straddled two cultures. I'm very American in the way I dress, speak and carry myself. I don't know Tagalog and I lost touch with my parent's dialect, Waray Waray. However, I have strong cultural roots and have retained much of my Filipino-ness which includes a deep, abiding respect for the elders and their stories. Perhaps the family meal is a good indicator of how one is ra