Here are some of the people in the world of glitz and glamour , celebrities taking a break from the spotlight or even retiring for good because of pressure and controversy surrounding them. For some actors and actresses, visual arts—from painting to digital animation—has become an outlet, and a way for self-expression. As we pull down the curtains, here are some multi talented personalities showcasing their creative minds.

John Lloyd Cruz

In the world of showbiz who doesn’t recognize the name John Lloyd Cruz (a.k.a. Idan Cruz) Apart from his great acting skills , he is an avid collector of the arts. There is a portrait of him done by local artist— Romeo Lee. They bonded in the process and took him under his wing. Later on September 2017, He joined a group show titled Ingress/Egress at Underground Gallery in Makati where he showcased his video installation and a collection of photographs.

Solenn Heussaff

Solenn Heussaff, sexy sultry actress host, her weapon of choice in the art world, is paint on canvas. Her subjects are people from all walks of life, as showcased in her two solo exhibits—Our People at Pineapple Lab in April 2016 and Kalsada at Provenance Art Gallery in October 2017. The latter also features a collab with her three-year-old nephew, who she used as a “human paintbrush. For those who don’t know Heussaff, she also has a clothing collection called LAHI, you can see that on IG v oversized vintage jackets embroidered and given a Filipiniana approach showcasing with her vivid mindworks.

Heart Evangelista

In May 2015, Heart Evangelista (a.k.a. Love Marie) as we see her as one icon of crazy rich Asians this girl rocks when she holds her brush and starts to relay herself through her paintings. She had her solo exhibit titled I am Love Marie at the Ayala Museum. Her works were later used on the covers of limited-edition Sterling Paper notebooks and Nescafe, which is the reason why I bought a non decaf coffee. Just wanna have an art piece from Heart. Recently she’s into painting designer bags , Hermes, Birkins and Dolce Gabanna, etc.
 

Michael V
Bubble Gang , GMA’s genius artist, When he is not taping or producing to make people laugh through a sketch (or a short comedy scene), Michael V sketches portraits using a ballpoint pen on the drop of a dime. He’s sketched DC characters, Wonder Woman, Pope Francis, Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix, Mike Hanopol, and other known personalities all compiled in his Instagram account. Michael V also put emphasis on the importance of practice to further hone your craft. Challenging oneself on what is already good and doing it even better, in his pursuit to be the best.

Bangs Garcia

Valerie Garcia (a.k.a. Bangs) She’s a beauty that made her debut in 2006. Later generations may not be familiar with her but she is known to many through the youth-oriented sitcom  Let’s Go . Years later, in 2011, she found herself studying painting under the tutelage of Art Dela Cruz. Eventually, one of her artworks was purchased for a whooping P380,000 in 2015 which she confides, took her 4 to 5 hours to paint each horse’s faces.

Meryll Soriano

This woman is known to be Maricel Soriano’s niece and daughter of WOWOWIN’s host Willie Revillame. Photography is her way to capture moments that connote a certain feeling.  Meryll Soriano started dabbling in the art form at 14 years old. At the age of 23 she had her first exhibit which tackles sex as a subject. When asked, she says that she sees nothing wrong about it.

She’s proud to say their exhibit’s edge lies in its witty unpretentious take on sex. A subject often too underscored by other artists. Now she’s focused on shooting textures, still life, and landscapes and has a hardbound book called Playground: London. In 2014, she showcased her photos during a three-year stay in the British capital. In July 2016, Soriano was a part of 21 other Manila-based photographers in a group show titled Present Progressive. It featured works that portray the never-ending process of finding oneself—constantly in the present progressive tense.

Maria Isabel Lopez

She’s the epitome of beauty and brains. Beauty queen and actress Maria Isabel Lopez also has her creative talent to be proud of. She took Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines. She developed a technique for using textured glass as her medium at the Institute of Mosaic Art in California under italian mosaic artist Matteo Randi. In 2014, she opened the Maria Isabel Lopez Art Studio in Sonoma County; and in 2016, she had her first solo show at the Passion Arts Gallery in SM Megamall. Lopez is a professional member of the Society of American Mosaic Artists.

Tom Rodriguez

Famous for an intriguing role alongside Dennis Trillo and made news after he and wife Carla Abellana parted ways. Apart from showing his acting chops through soap operas on GMA, Tom Rodriguez also has a passion for visual arts. He is into digital animation and graphic design, and was a resource speaker in the 2015 edition of Animahenasyon, a local animation convention. He’s another creative mind from the industry of glitz.

Xian Lim

My Binondo Girl in 2011. Where he was first spotted. Kim chu’s long time boyfriend, model and an actor, also has an eye for arts, his first exhibit was titled False Hope at the Secret Fresh Gallery in San Juan City in July 17, 2022.

Ian Veneracion

Ian Veneracion is the whole package. Gwapo and talented, he can serenade you and take your breath away. His father, a painter by profession, inspires him to paint. In an interview with PEP.ph, he shared: “Mula bata ako, I would see my father paint, and he would give me my own canvas, and we would paint.” His first one-man show was held at the West Gallery at SM Megamall in February 2000. He considers art as a form of therapy and a way to express his hidden thoughts.

We all went through some difficult times during the pandemic. It’s either you make the most
of the time to reinvent yourself and lead a life that is more profound. What matters is how
worthy you live the life God gave you and using the talent he blessed you in enriching the
world.