“What’s bottled up in shyness, comes bubbling out in arts.

Joanne Christine S. Gatapia did not find her love for the arts until
30years into her life. In fact, art was only one of the mediums she was
good at without even noticing it.

As a young girl, Joanne loved doing school projects and creating

materials to be used in school presentations and events. She sketched and
drew landscapes often with just an ordinary pencil. Instead of taking Fine
Arts, she opted to take BS Commerce Major in Business Administration
at the University of Santo Tomas.

Believe it or not, Joanne did not get any formal training in the arts until
she joined a 10-Day Summer Art Workshop at her children’s school. She
was inspired by the artworks her children created and together with a
lifelong dream to show her artistic side, she was motivated to do
something very new to her.

She then boldly ventured into acrylic, soft and oil pastel, and watercolor
in capturing the beauty of nature, landscapes, and the flight of birds. She
also took an interest in seeing things differently through abstract.

In 2013, Joanne lost her husband. The arts became her therapy amidst
the uncertainty that befalls a widow. She was able to channel her pain
and stresses to somewhere productive and beautiful. Little did she know
that she was painting her story.

Since then, Joanne participated in group exhibits at St. John Bosco Parish
Church in Santa Rosa City, Laguna, SM Sta. Rosa with Mayor Arlene
Arcillas who graced the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony, and Solenad Ayala
Malls, Santa Rosa City, Laguna during its week-long Valentine event
where her first mural painting was displayed as one of the attractions.

Joanne paints to bring her “visions” and emotions to life, to inspire, to

touch one’s heart, to connect with one’s soul, to appreciate the beauty of
His creations through her works and are in homage to Him. Today,
Joanne is looking to a brighter future - a future that paves the way for her
artworks to go places.