Returning to Art: Finding My Way Back to The Sea Within
My last blog post was on December 6, 2024, and a lot has happened since then. In truth, I went quiet—not because I stopped believing in art, but because life asked more of me than I expected.
My 2025 was hectic, and somewhere along the way, I lost touch with my art.
This year, I focused heavily on my regular work. I had to excuse myself—temporarily—from the art arena. The first quarter of the year was filled with travel, and by the middle of the year, I was promoted to a position on the management committee (ManCom). I never imagined how much time, energy, and presence that role would require. Slowly, I felt my creativity slipping away.
The experience tested me deeply—my service to the Cooperative Academy, my advocacy of helping people improve their lives, and my personal limits. While the work was meaningful and purposeful, it demanded so much that I began to feel disconnected from a part of myself.
And yet, art has always been part of my system. It is what grounds me. It is what keeps me going when words fall short.
Looking back, I also noticed something important. Most of my blog posts that resonated deeply with readers—and gained higher viewership—were those related to art therapy. Perhaps because many of us are quietly carrying stress, grief, and burnout, and are searching for gentle ways to heal.
Without formally naming it before, art has always been my form of self-therapy.
A Turning Point: Remembering Why Art Matters
During the third quarter of the year (October), something happened that profoundly shifted me. Our ARTipolo president, Mr. Pol Mesina, Jr., suddenly passed away due to an aneurysm.
His passing reminded me—painfully and clearly—that life is short.
It made me realize that while service and work are essential, I must also embrace art while I still have the energy, the health, and the capacity to create. Because of my inconsistencies, I did not grow as much as I wanted in the field I truly love. And that realization was heavy.
That was when I knew: I needed a turnaround.
An Art Retreat and the Birth of The Sea Within
On October 30, 2025, I took a leave and gave myself the gift of a two-day art retreat. I went to Balay-Pinsel, intentionally left my cellphone behind, and allowed myself to simply be present—with paint, canvas, and silence.
For two days, I painted without interruption. No deadlines. No meetings. No noise.
And for the first time in a long while, I flowed.
I finished one piece in those two days—unbothered, unhurried, and fully immersed.
Before Sir Pol passed, I had promised him that I would return to art and participate again in an exhibit at the Renaissance Art Gallery. True to that promise, I joined the exhibit on November 15, entering the piece I created during that retreat.
The painting is entitled “The Sea Within.”
This piece tells my story. It reflects my inner struggle, the storms I went through, and the calm that quietly exists within, even when life feels overwhelming. The sea may be turbulent on the surface, but beneath it lies depth, strength, and stillness.
I am sharing this painting here as part of my journey back to art.
The Sea Within reflects not only my artistic journey but also my personal art therapy process. The painting carries both turbulence and stillness—symbolizing how we can remain whole even when life around us feels unstable.
This piece became my reminder that healing does not always come from rest alone—it also comes from expression.
Why I Choose to Return to Art—Again and Again
Returning to art made me realize that what I practice—and what I often write about—is closely aligned with art therapy.
Art therapy is not always about formal sessions or clinical settings. Sometimes, it is simply the act of creating—allowing color, movement, and texture to surface emotions that words cannot carry. For me, painting became a way to process pressure, grief, responsibility, and renewal.
Through art and art therapy–inspired practice, I experienced:
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Emotional regulation during periods of stress and burnout
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Safe expression of grief, loss, and unspoken emotions
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Mental clarity when decision-making felt overwhelming
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Reconnection with identity beyond titles and roles
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A sense of calm and grounding amid life’s storms
This is why I believe art should not be neglected—especially by those who are gifted with it. Art therapy reminds us that creating is not indulgence; it is healing.
Art becomes a quiet companion when life feels loud. It listens when no one else can.
🎨 Holiday Art Sessions Invitation (Limited Slots)
Before the year ends, I would like to open small art sessions during the holidays. I plan to spend part of my break painting and teaching art, as I was recently asked to teach a child by a brethren.
I can accommodate only 2 to 3 children to ensure focused, meaningful sessions.
Schedule:
🗓 December 28–30, 2025
⏰ 2 hours per day
Program:
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December 28 – Sketching Fundamentals
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December 29 – Basic Watercolor Painting (Wet-on-Wet)
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December 30 – Basic Watercolor Painting (Wet-on-Dry)
I have prepared a basic list of materials and included Shopee links for convenience, though materials may also be purchased elsewhere. I choose cheaper products for beginners.
- Sketch pad - click here to buy online
- 6B Pencil - click here to buy online
- Kneaded eraser - click here to buy online
- Watercolor paint - click here to buy online
- Watercolor pad - click here to buy online
- Round brush - click here to buy online
- Flat brush - click here to buy online
If you are interested, please message me directly at https://www.facebook.com/RoseGobsCascadeArtStudio. You may also see details through this registration form: REGISTER HERE
