By Chance: Solo Art Exhibition of Carmela Geisert (Makati City)

Carmela Geisert beside her painting "Tubbataha Reef" (2018, mixed media on canvas, 36 x 48in., Php66,000),  a fluid art painting evoking the colors of underwater life, its mystery and otherworldly beauty inspired by the artist’s diving adventures in Palawan

I happened to have met Ms. Carmela Laurin-Geisert twice at Asia Grand View Resort in Coron, Palawan.  I knew her enough in her capacity as President and General Manager of the resort but never realized that she was an artist and self taught at that.  

The creative expression of this Filipino artist, born in Manila but raised in Taguig City, previously ranged from travel, photography, makeup and fashion. 

A jet-setting trailblazer in the local tourism industry for more than two decades, her passion for art started in 2016 when, during long-haul flights, she started sketching using pastel crayons and charcoal.  

While exploring the character of paint on canvas, she became enthralled, impassioned and enlivened by the possibilities, unpredictability, beauty, simplicity and serendipity of the mesmerizing and now very popular medium called fluidity art (also known as paint pouring, liquid art or flow art).  

Ribbon Cutting, L-R: Mr. Tobias Rast (German Club), Mr. Ole Morabe, Ms. Emy Aganan (Steelwings Foundation),  Ms. Carmela Geisert, Ms. Agnes Gervacio (CEO Advisors Managing Director) and Mr. Glenn Hocson (Brothers Phils General Manager and President of PATTS College of Aeronautics Alumni Association)

Agung Awakens, Indonesia (2018,
acrylic on canvas, 11 x 16 in.,
PhP8,000)

Alps Winter Night (2018,
acrylic on canvas, 11 x 16 in.,
Php8,000)

This form of abstract art involves mixing acrylic paints, with a runny (fluid) consistency, that reacts with each other, when combined together, to make interesting and visually organic motifs. 

When different color combinations are poured into each other, they form intricate patterns which can be influenced and manipulated with certain techniques. With the addition of a clear resin medium, it levels and hardens to a beautiful glossy finish.

L-R: Ms. Rica Rentzing and Mr. Tobias Rast, both of the German Club; top designer Mr. Ole Morabe,  Ms. Agnes Gervacio (CEO Advisors Managing Director), artist Ms. Carmela Geisert, Ms. Emy Aganan (Steelwings Foundation),  Mr. Glenn Hocson (Brothers Phils GM and Pres of PATTS College of Aeronautics Alumni Association), mentor artist Ms. Connie Cabalar and mentor/curator Mr. Jes Evangelista

Faith (2017, acrylic on canvas,
16 x 20 in., Php18,000)

Fallen Angels (2018, acrylic on
canvas, 20 x 24 in., Php18,000)

Geisert, eager to explore this new life direction, is now fascinated and inspired by the post World War II art movement called abstract expressionism.  

Though she did not formally study Fine Arts (she graduated B.S. Airline Secretarial Administration in PATTS College of Aeronautics in 1995), her friends inspired her to do more artworks and embrace the art scene. She counts as her idols artists such as Jackson Pollock, a major American figure known for abstract expressionism, as well as French Post-Impressionist painter Paul Gauguin and Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.

Guests on opening night

Once in a Blue Moon (2018,
acrylic on canvas, 16 x 20 in.)

Minimalist (2018, acrylic on
canvas, 16 x 20 in., PhP18,000)

Her her first solo exhibition, By Chance, proposes varying realms of possibilities for art making. The exhibition opened last Tuesday, April 10, at the German Club Manila.  

Here, Carmela displayed her first collection of 21 whimsical, vivid and tasteful works of small (11" x 16" and 16" x 20") to medium-scale (20" x 24," 33" x 34," 48" x 24," etc.) paintings. Inspired by her travel adventures and significant events happening globally, it is also an introduction, not only to her art, but also of a world on canvas that she envisioned.  Using the aqueous character of vibrant pigments, she managed to create, from memory, artwork that evoke a time and a place and, sometimes, even a feeling. 

L-R: Jandy Layug, the author, Ms. Mae Pascual, Ms. Carmela Geisert, Ms. Louise Santiano, Mr. Pete Dacuycuy  ((Publicist) and Ms. Via Marie Claire Baroma (Expat Travel and Lifestyle Magazine)

Spring Blooms - Green, Red and
Orange (2018, acrylic on canvas,
20 x 24 in.,Php18,000)

Sydney Hot Spring Night (2018,
acrylic on canvas, 11 x 16 in.,
Php8,000)

The contrasting colors of each painting are mixed together in elegant compositions, the sinuous flow of each tincture showing off its own character.  

Blacks secure a visual foundation, reds form peaks and valleys of interest while iridescent gold snakes through and emphasizes the presence of one line against the other.  Geisert lets her paints flow into the directions they choose to go, with her gentle nudges still exerting control over the medium while giving it space to pool, stream, and run. 

Houseboat in Amsterdam (2017, mixed media on canvas, 33 x 34 in., Php32,000)

Tulip Farm Netherlands (2018,
mixed media on canvas,
36 x 48 in., Php66,000)

Thoughts (2017, mixed media
on canvas, 21.5 x 27.5, Php24,000)

Proceeds from the sale of the paintings will go to the Steelwings Model Foundation, a nonprofit aviation organization where she is a member. 

The foundation, dedicated to the advancement of aviation and aerospace, research and development and to honor its contributors, was established on July 12, 1991 at the PATTS College of Aeronautics (where Geisert is a 2017 Outstanding Alumni Awardee).  Prices of her paintings range from Php8,000 to Php66,000.  The exhibit will run until May 8.

Tokyo Bay Cruise (2017, mixed media on canvas, 12.75 x 34.25 in.)

German Club: Penthouse, Eurovilla II, 118 V.A. Rufino St., Legaspi Village, Makati City.  Tel:  (632) 894-2899.  Website: www.germanclub.ph.