Art
The creative women of Guam
Julia Birn
For centuries , women were deprived of the chance to become professional artists or to study under famous artists . It wasn ’ t until a father taught his daughter art in the late 16th century and the rest is history . Thank you , Fontana family .
Women have since flourished artistically .
In CHamoru , “ imbentibu ” means “ inventive ” or “ creative ,” and famalao ’ an , “ woman .” Hence the title of the all-woman art show at the Lees-Reyes Art Gallery in Tumon Sands Plaza .
The Imbentibu Famalao ’ an II art show ran from June 4 to 28 .
Featured artists include Alliyah Ducay , Andrea Borja , Cheyanne Atole , Chie Numano , Devavani Lawrence , Donna Birn & Julia Birn , Donna Perron , Dorathina Herrero , Elena Jackson , Gleannie Pere , Gretchen Sagan , Jamie Masangkay , Jannette Samson , Kanani Crisostomo , Linda Frank , Madison Orland , Maila Pujol , MJ Wolborsky , Maria Sol Duenas Marques , Mar- Vic Cagurangan , Nanette Senior , Olivia Newman , Olympia Terral , Rose Marie Siguenza , Sylvie Pool Alvarez , Tara Sood , Tatiana Lupik , Tonya McDaniel , Ubeng Fabro-Torres , Veroni Sablan , Vikki Fong , Yeon Sook Park , Tejrina Kelly and Dawn Lees Reyes , the gallery ’ s owner .
I met some of these beautiful souls at the opening . The work selection covers a vast array of art forms such as paintings , sculpture , assemblages , found objects and natural fibers .
Let me tell you about some of the artists .
Donna ( Borja ) Birn and Julia Birn are
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Art Therapy By Donna Hope Blas
Ms Sepertine Acrylic on canvas Cheyanne Atole
From left , Ubeng Fabro-Torres , Julia Birn , Donna Birn , Vikki Fong , Sylvia Pool Alvarez , Tara Sood , Nanette Senior , Olympia Terral , Rose Marie Siguenza , Tonya McDaniel , Dawn Lees-Reyes , Madison Orland , Yeon Sook Park , Jannette Samson .
the mother-and-daughter tandem in the show . Donna has the largest paintings on display . While in California , she painted Jinapsan Beach from memory . Julia Birn studied biology in college but her heart is in art . Well , I ’ m not going to spoil it , but her wood carvings are a must-see .
Dorathina Herrero is a magical soul . Her artwork is heartfelt and whimsical . I cannot say enough about her art .
Elena Jackson is a self-taught artist . You would never believe that she just picked up a brush and started painting . Her color-blending technique is phenomenal . She ’ s been
Flowers of Paradise Flowers of Paradise Acrylic Olivia Newman
Spark Acrylic on canvas By Maila Pujol
Photos by Donna Hope Blas
painting for only a couple of years .
Jamabeva " Jamie " Masangkay specializes in portraits and naturescapes . She captures our favorite island scenes in her acrylic paintings .
Tejrina
Kelly discovered a love for ceramic art and sculpture in 2014 , and continues to refine her style and techniques .
Ubeng Fabro-Torres ’ watercolor artwork is intricately done . I especially loved her floral paintings . She is an art teacher at Bishop Baumgartner Memorial School .
Jannette Samson wants to be an art teacher , too . She created a cool signature design that she puts on canvas , accessories and clothing . Her paintings are divine .
Rose Marie Siguenza is a talented
Lucky Elephant with Lotus Oil on canvas Elena Jackson
local photographer , who captures the beauty of people and our island landscape She even created her own flower headdress , indigenously known as “ mwarmwar .”
Sylvie Pool Alvarez is a three-dimensional artist , specializing in sculptures and ceramic work . She is from the Seychelles Islands . Her sculptures are very realistic .
Tonya McDaniel creates dreamy paintings — rendered in gouache — with flowers and folk themes . Simply magical !
Yeon Sook Park ’ s artwork is displayed throughout the island . At the art opening , she wore a colorful traditional Korean dress , worn for special occasions .
Tara Sood ’ s oil paintings document the Japanese traditions of clay art . Her style looks European . You ’ d think you were back in a period of time when the great artists walked the earth .
I would write you to the moon and back about all these women , but I ’ ll stop here and encourage you go to the Lees-Reyes Art Gallery to walk through the
Imbentibu Famalao ’ an II art show .
Donna Hope Blas is a restoration and 3-D artist . She is a certified therapeutic art life coach and entrepreneur . She was born and raised on Guam . Send feedback to donnahblas @ gmail . com
Tara Sood