Poetess poetess.deep-ice.com poetess.deviantart.com

The Handle: Poetess The nickname "poetess" started a year ago. I was watching this movie in the HBO (thou, I forgot the title) but it was about a courtesan who became the pride of Venice. She was called a poetess. The poetess is this unique and talented individual who knows almost everything and knows what to say all the time. I am not saying that I am like her but I envy the idea. That a woman can be stronger.

Poetess at Work

My profession is a web designer / flash / graphic artist. This is my second job. I am the head in a devcon (development and communication) department somewhere in Ortigas, Pasig City. My first one was a part-time shockwave graphic artist. I was still studying at the time.

Genetic Influences

My father (Egai Fernandez) is a known painter here in the Philippines and my mother (Magdalena Gajudo) is a so-called "ghostwriter". And how I envy my mom sometimes because she's an awesome poet and writer. My second brother used to be an animator. And my favorite aunt was one of the pioneer cartoonist of “Phil Cartoons.” And her husband is a great photographer.

The Ups and Downs of having THE Genes

The advantage on this one is I can get some artistic point of view on most of the things we discuss in the family and my family helps me how to make my art works better. Plus I get to talk to other famous artists because they are friends with my dad.

The disadvantage here is I am labeled as the daughter of a famous artist. I remember when I reached college most of my professors were friends of my parents’ and the expectation doubled. This really took a lot out of me. Though, I did ok. And I didn’t want to use connections on some affair or business because I felt that it won’t be fair. Not for me anyway.

Non-Computer Generated Art

I tried almost every medium but I tend to focus more on water color and acrylic.

Preferences: Traditonal Art or Computer-aided graphics?

Both, I guess. Right now, since I’ve stopped painting traditional artworks and put my time on work it’s easy to create something in the computer. Although, if I had the time and space I’d go for the traditional. It’s really something that one shouldn't disregard. Almost everyone can do computer-generated images.

Poetess = Poet? Artist? or Skinner?

I really have no idea. But ever since I was a kid all I wanted is to draw and paint. So I should go for being an Artist.

Poetess in the other fields of Art.

I used to be in the theater when I was a kid. And go to classes the was held by PETA (Philippine Educational Theater Association). But that didn’t go too well because when I went up on the empty stage in CCP (Cultural Center of the Philippines) I got stage fright. So it wasn’t really for me.

I tried learning how to play some musical instruments like the piano, flute, and guitar but it didn’t really catch my attention.

Aspirations beyond Poetry, Digital Design and Skinning

Photography. Hehe. Yup. I do have a knack for taking shots but with the lack of camera it’s hard to practice and it’s expensive.

Skill Acquisition

Well, all I did was just sit down in front of the computer and just played with Photoshop. Heh, I still remember we have corel draw 4 and photoshop 4 back then. The moment I was exposed in computers I didn’t pushed it aside. As my dad always said, “Practice makes perfect.”

Artistic Influences and Inspiration

First influence is my family and relatives, especially my aunt, my brother and my dad.

And then there’s the comic book (local and international ones). My brother was a marvel fanatic back then when he can buy comics. He would always let me read them and show me the illustrations and how details and good it was. That’s when I started to copy the illustrations just to see if I can. My favorite character is Rogue.

Friends in UP College of Fine Arts. Most of them were into Anime and Manga that’s how I got my most of my style. Especially my good friend Elmer Damaso. He’s like a mentor and my idol. I envy him so much because he can draw a well detailed illustration in less than 10 minutes.

Also there’s Boris Valejo and Julie Bell. Julie and Boris came in late as inspiration.

The people I look up to…well most of the above people that I mentioned.

Vices and Habits will Letting the Creative Juices Flow

I guess, I’d always look for some junk food to munch on. My favorite is Pringles. I’d lie on my bed and watch TV as I when I draw some illustrations. I don’t use my desk that often. I don’t like sitting on my desk for a long time. And sometimes, I would just open my computer and play lots of mp3s while I hold my pencil and wait till something comes into my head.

Motivation

Almost everything that comes to my head and my mood.

Favorite Work

I’d say the one that I really like best is my recent submission in DeviantArt.com the “Dying Dream” I had that concept for years now but didn’t really get to the point on creating it till now. Someone asked why the fairy/sprite is blue.

That's how I see them. They glow in such ominous blue, warmth and coldness at the same time. As the fairy holding herself in such pain and ache it takes you away from being apathetic and more into Empathic. She’s blindfolded symbolizing that she’s left in the dark. The background colors blends and turns into somewhat a huge black hole on which the center is the fairy. Also it's like you're in a different dimension; In a dream; A twilight zone.

Least Favorite Work

There’s one work that I really hated but I didn’t show it other people because it’ll be only silly to look at. Plus it was out of bitterness and I do not want to dwell more on that.

One artwork or poem, either yours or not, that you think represents you?

Right now, I don’t see anything that can represent who I really am. Because I’m still trying to see who I am and I’m still growing. I’m still learning.

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In the interest of curiousity we couldn't refrain ourselves from asking the following questions:

Poetess can i add some questions?

Eh...sure why not. Since we're on the question and answer portion anyway. Hehehe -joke-

Can it be 'mushy' type of questions?

Now that depends on what kind of "mushy" you are referring to.

Hmmm... how do you plan of getting a boy friend? (lol)

Mwahahaha! I really don't have a clue. The truth is I'm just waiting for the right time. Though, we all know it's not going to happen soon. LoL

What's your ideal man? (bwekekek) does he have to be artistic like you? Smart... intelligent?

Well, in some sense, YES to both of what you suggested. I want someone that I can talk to almost about everything. Who has his own points of view and who is never lost for words. I don't like guys who are shy and I don't like guys who are "ma-presko" (fresh) either. I don't like guys who would brag about themselves on the first meet. Sometimes, I really depend on the first impression. Unless, I had a feeling that this person is different and just being conversative, if you know what I mean.

Physically: I tend to look at a guy who has these features fair skin, at least taller than me (I'm 5'4" btw), has defined muscles but not like those body builders (yuck), has a pleasant look on his face, I don't like guys who has beard and mustaches, and uhm, (oh yeah) I have this "thing" with cute guys who has glasses. (it's not a fetish mind you, LoL, it's just a thing.) Although the physical features does not really apply only gives plus points, but what are points anyway?

Hehe... are my questions too mushy?

Not at all. It was fun, actually. Thanks.

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So there you have it... Any interested parties may contact poetess at... (",)...

Your last words.

Well… I don’t know really what to say on this last part…but I’ll just add in what I think. As my the name that my father gave me “Diwa.” As you know it means spirit or essence. I don’t know if I am living up to its potentials. And (somatose from DA) asked me if I am the epitome of what it is to be human. I don’t know if I am. But I answered him that I love the feeling or every emotion. The feeling of love, hate, laughter, sadness, etc. He saw it that I strive to be as true as I can be, in essence, leaving my doors open to other souls of the world. Haha, I think that’s way over my head now.

So, let me say to everyone to try everything just once and if you think it’s good for you and for everyone else then go for it. And if it didn’t go too well...don’t dwell on the bad side of it. “Life is grand.”

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Interview by Ruth Jacob (Except for the 'mushy' part)

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