Attending Artist Convention for the Learnings, Fun, Connections, and Freebies

Like many people, I enjoy attending conventions, whether they focus on science or the arts. One of the most memorable conventions I attended was the International Geological Convention in 2012, held in Brisbane, Australia. I represented my former geothermal company, and it was my first time traveling abroad. At the convention, I had the opportunity to meet geologists from around the world and gained valuable insights from seminars and technical presentations. Of course, I also brought back plenty of freebies from the sponsors!

Since then, I’ve participated in a few more scientific conventions, with the most recent one being in Shanghai, China, last November during the FluSed workshop at Tongji University. There, I presented my research on using machine learning-based segmentation of conglomerate outcrop photos to characterize the unit and investigate its provenance.

I presented my research and explored Shanghai

The pandemic was an incredibly challenging time for me, but what helped me the most was discovering the world of watercolor painting. It became a source of comfort and creativity during those difficult days. I’ve shared more about my first experience with watercolors in the blog post below:

My Watercolor Journey: How I Started and Where to Get Supplies and Free Tutorials

My first experience with watercolor painting quickly turned into a deep dive down a creative rabbit hole. I became so captivated by the medium that I started attending virtual classes to further develop my skills. I also invested in books to learn the technical aspects of sketching and painting. Eager to connect with other artists, I applied to join the Philippine Guild of Watercolorists (PGW) in 2022 and was thrilled to be accepted. PGW soon became like a second family to me.

Since joining PGW in 2022, I haven’t missed a single watercolor convention. These annual events have allowed me to watch master watercolorists paint live and virtually, receive invaluable tips from them, and admire the juried exhibits showcasing members’ work. My favorite part was receiving a convention kit each year – usually in a bag containing well-thought-out items that only artists can appreciate.

In this blog post, I decided to share the contents of this year’s convention kit because PGW has been so generous, just like in the previous years:

Aside from this kit, we also have upcoming events after the kick-off ceremonies for participants like me, listed below:

1. Election of new PGW officers.
2. Virtual talk on the Passion Behind the Brushtrokes by Master Watercolorist, Gerardo Jimenez.
3. Virtual webinar on navigating the complexities of international shipping of artworks by Joelah Solis.
4. Virtual painting demo on how to create your own watercolors by Quiversmiths.
5. Virtual demo on painting wild sunflower floral art with Gene Herrera.
6. Virtual painting demo of watercolor still life with Carrie Roets Waller.
7. Virtual talk about how to build a financial foundation as artist.
8. Virtual painting demo of expressive boats with Jayson Yeoh.
9. Online Painting contest for convention participants.
10. In-person demo on architectural painting with Jeff Gauci.

My September calendar is packed with convention events, but it’s the kind of busy I truly enjoy. These demos and webinars will not only help me refine my skills as an artist but also explore potential entrepreneurial opportunities. I’m excited for all the upcoming events and can’t wait to incorporate everything from my kit into future projects.

That’s all for now, dear readers! I hope you’re having a fantastic time wherever you are!

xoxo,