Art of the draw: Cartoonists make waves
More persons of interest
Art of the draw: Cartoonists make waves
BY GINGGING A. CAMPAÑA
September 2016 (CJJ 11)
Dwynn Ronald V. Trazo
A Cebuano visual journalist and senior infographic designer of Dubai-based Gulf News, Dwynn Ronald Trazo said getting recognition is what he had hoped to accomplish.
It sounds egotistical, but let’s not kid ourselves. We’ve all sought validation at some point.As the awards and blessings came pouring, Ialso felt the need to give back.Give back and share I did to the design community,to the students most” importantly” Dwynn said.
He considers the stories and, to some degree, his editors to have influenced his work the most. Among the notable visual journali sts he admires are Alberto Cairo, John Grimwade, Karl Gude and Fernando Baptista. A cum laude graduate of Bachelor of Fine Arts. major in Advertising Arts at the University of San Carlos, Cebu City, Dwynn did not see himself working in the journalism industry, but his stint in the field has been his longest and most productive.
“China peel” was recognized during the 2014 edition of the World Press Cartoon competition. The cartoon shows China’s need to show a better image as the country comes into its own as a global superpower.
This is proven by the 64 interna tional awards he received while worki ng in Gulf News in the last 10-and- a-half years. These include the awards of excellence and recognition from Society for News Design in the US, Malofiej – lnfographic Summit, Spain,WAN IFRA Asia Media Awards, Singapore, and the World Press Cartoon, Portugal. His message for aspiring cartoonists and illustrators:11 Do it. Make it happen. Don’t wait for inspiration or for your mood to change.The world turns with or without you. If you know you have talent, show it. If you know you aren’t quite there yet, practice more. If you’re stuck with an artwork, show it to your mom.She will love it, and you will move on.And don’t forget to have fun!
Geraldine Sypiecco
Better known as Geraldine Sy, the artist hopes to help make art, especially illustration, an accessible and normal part of design and business in Cebu, where art is generally seen as a frivolity.
This pretty and petite illustrator and graphic designer of SunStar Cebu’s editorial art group, was named one of Adobe Photoshop’s 25 Under 25 Artists, an award given to artists worldwide who are below 25, who use Photoshop in their work.
It was part of the celebration for Adobe Photoshop’s 25th anniversary.
“I’m so happy to be recognized worldwide; it’s such an honor for me,” said Geraldine, whose portfolio of works, which included those published in SunStar Weekend and other magazines, caught the attention of the internationally renowned software company.
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A graduate in Bachelor of Arts in Graphics and Media, Geraldine has been influenced by mid-century illustrators like Mary Blair, as well as contemporary illustrators.
Now almost four years in the journalism industry, Geraldine confessed she wasn’t really planning on working specifically for a newspaper.
“I can say the experience has improved my skills dramatically in just a few years.I’m also thankful to have made connections with people and fellow artists here that have become my friends,” she said.
For aspiring artists, Geraldine has this to say,”Drawing and making art take time. The less time you give it, the longer it will be before you ever get good. And stop comparing your work with that of other artists. The artists you compare your work with have been drawing for many years. Just remember that time plus hard work always equals results.”
Ariel Openlinia Itumay
SunStar Superbalita [Cebu] graphic artist and cartoonist Ariel Openlinia Itumay, considers himself a cartoonist and illustrator by accident.
Black and white but no less compelling, this cartoon published in SunStar Superbalita [Cebu] on May 28,2012 earned for Ariel the Best Editorial Cartooning in Cebuano in the 2013 Cebu Archdiocesan Mass Media Awards.
Now almost seven years in the newspaper industry, Ariel recalled that his internship in SunStar Cebu gave him the oppurtunity to draw and learn from cartoonists Josua Cabrera and Rio Villegas of the Art Group.
He said to himself that he should have taken up Fine Arts because with that he would have learned the basics in drawing.
This bachelor of Science in Information Technology major in animation graduate said he used to draw a bit when he was a grader. He started drawing again when he joined SunStar.
“Bati pa jud to akong drawing sa una kay lingaw-lingaw ra man to. Giingnan gani ko sa akong papa nga: ‘Undanga na nang drawing-drawing. Ipakaon ko na nimo ron’ (In the past, my work wasn’t good as I did sketches only to pass the time. My father even told me, ‘Stop drawing, or I will make you eat your drawings’),” Ariel shared in jest.
He did not expect that his work would be recognized by then Art Group chief Jun Velez, who invited him to work in SunStar.
To his surprise, Ariel’s entries won the Best Editorial Cartooning in Cebuano in the Cebu Archdiocesan Mass Media Awards in 2013 and 2015.
For all the aspiring cartoonists, Ariel has this message: “Just continue dreaming. Practice always. Don’t lose hope, and believe that you can do it”.