Nostalgic and Robust Art

Nostalgic and Robust Art

FRANK TONIDO AND NELIA TONIDO’S ART EXHIBIT

By Nerissa Coronel Pineda

Last October 14 to 16, the husband and wife team of Frank and Nelia Tonido presented their art at Visual Arts Mississauga. The 30 paintings were a graceful mix of landscapes, still lifes, and portraits, done in the different mediums of watercolours, acrylics and coloured pencils.

Looking at Nelia’s paintings, I was constantly reminded not just of the beauty of nature but also of its impermanence– a cherry that was insect bitten, birds’ leftovers. Faded flowers, leaves curled and dying. Her landscapes also had a nostalgic appeal, evoking genteel times. Two paintings captured my fancy – but alas, they were sold — “Sauteed Squash Shoots and Flowers,” and “The Agawa Canyon Train Ride.”

‘Sweet Composure’ by Frank Tonido- this is a picture of a young Filipina.

Frank’s paintings, on the other hand, were more robust – proud flowers in their prime, landscapes that were almost photographic in their realism. Frank’s choice of acrylics as medium served his crisp style. One portrait was a show-stopper–a coloured pencil drawing of a young Filipino girl—“Sweet Composure” — so much life projecting from a piece of paper. Another exhibit favourite was his painting of a marina, aptly titled “Marina at Promenade Park,” but it was not for sale, much to the disappointment of three or four interested viewers.

Guests at the show’s Friday opening included Philippine Consul General Pete Chan (who joyfully opened the exhibit), members of the Mississauga Art Society, prominent painter Bernice Kwong, PAG (Philippine Artists Group) President Omel Masalunga, PAG co-founder Romi MananQuil, and other members of PAG, to which the Tonidos also belong.

More artists, local residents, and day trippers heard that a very beautiful show was going on at the Visual Arts centre, and dropped by throughout the weekend.

To the question of how they thought the exhibit went, Nelia said: “Just seeing how appreciative the crowd was, and how much enjoyment they got from viewing the paintings, that for me says success. It was fun!” Frank was overwhelmed by the interest their art generated, adding that that was icing on the cake, the cake being the joy of making art.

Artists’ bio and contact information: Frank and Nelia Tonido hold degrees from the University of Santo Tomas – Frank in Fine Arts, and Nelia in Architecture. Frank is a member of the Portrait Society of Canada and the Mississauga Art Society. Nelia’s creativity spills into cake-decorating, her other love. Both plan to give art lessons in the spring of 2012. Samples of the Tonidos’ art works can be viewed at www.philippineartists.com.

(PRESS RELEASE)

The artists and some of the Exhibition Opening's guests. From left: Romi MananQuil, Marissa Buyco-Corpus, Cecile Asuncion, Frank Tonido, Consul General Pete Chan, Nelia Tonido and Teody Asuncion