Thursday, November 15, 2007

Feng Shui Artist LIZANNE UYCHACO: An Epitome of Perfect Balance



Lizanne Uychaco is known for painting the art of good fortune. She is the first and only Feng Shui artist in the country. Her passion is to create positive energy through her art by surrounding homes and offices with her paintings that elicit harmony and bring about happiness, prosperity, longevity, wealth and success. She has made Feng Shui an unobtrusive part of modern living, capturing ancient beliefs and symbols of luck in her artworks and rendering them in tasteful, contemporary style.


She observes Feng Shui processes of starting a painting on a good day, cleansing and purifying art materials, layering colors in a productive cycle following the elements of water, wood, fire, earth, metal–applying positive ”chi” or energy every step of the way. Her painting tools are non-traditional. She uses palettes shaped in the most prosperous symbol of the yin yang coin or the “pagua” with 8 treasures. Her palette knives are made of soft materials to avoid “sha” or conflicts and emanate from the dragon’s auspicious breath from earth for harmony or jade for longevity, ru yi scepter for wishes to come true, etc. Her textures are like no other as she uses lotus balls, the yin yang coin and other symbols from the 3 sets of 8 treasures to paint to ensure that her works bring good fortune to the collector. Her art containers are inscribed with a hundred ways of writing good fortune, double happiness, long life, wealth, harmony and prosperity.

Many prominent businessmen in the country attest that indeed Lizanne’s works have contributed to their luck and success.



Lizanne’s paintings carry a consistent symbol of the yin yang coin she was worn since childhood for health and luck. For Lizanne, painting is like a prayer, a solemn ritual, a blessing, an expression of gratitude and best wishes, a sacred journey to unravel her heritage and capture what is good and to share and preserve them.





Collectors are fascinated both by the art and the artist herself who is enigmatic and an epitome of perfect balance. She has fully cultivated her left and right brains being both successful in art and in the business world as the former vice president of Globe Telecoms and currently Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of AIG Philamlife. How she manages to achieve this balance has held people in awe and has made her the excellent model that both artists and business professionals must aspire for. She manages to still devote time to be a volunteer art teacher making herself available to the National Commission on Culture and Arts headed by Cecile Guidote Alvarez for less fortunate communities including giving lessons to the children of OFWs in cooperation with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. She has integrated art and social marketing into her work, creating greeting cards embedded with text-activated micro insurance that protect the poor, provide livelihood and contribute to building homes for Gawad Kalinga and help sustain Children’s hour.
Lizanne believes in constant learning and has finished two masters degrees from the Ateneo and the UA&P while working and has continuously taken lessons in oil painting, water color, acrylics, pastels, sculpture, Chinese painting, calligraphy, pottery and even jewelry making. No wonder her works keep evolving with mixed media and her paintings possess textures and styles like no other artist in the world.




Art has always been a calling for Lizanne. Her mom says that as early as 2 years old Lizanne was painting and her first medium was her lipstick. While in school, Lizanne was the editor of “The Scholastican” and was the chairman of the student council. Even while in schools she spearheaded art contests and created an art gallery of the school’s social hall to give artists and students exposure. She was an agent of change and was in the forefront of student activism for positive reforms. While running resorts for the Kuok Group she invited and painted with artists, exhibiting their works and printing them in cards. She started the tradition of giving sculptures as awards instead of normal plaques and trophies.

Lizanne was first launched in a discovery series by the Ayala Museum around 20 years ago and among others, she largely credits and expresses gratitude to Sonia Ner who was the Museum Director at that time for her success in her art career.









Today Lizanne is among the most featured artists in magazines, newspapers and books. Her works are used by the Philippine Embassy in the US and are included in road shows and exhibits. She is managed by the Art Elements Asian Gallery at Powerplant, Rockwell. She is a mainstay of the gallery and has an ongoing special show on Auspicious Horses that are believed to help ensure that businesses advance and prosper and other Feng Shui related art that bring good luck, happiness, longevity, wealth and prosperity.

Art of Good Fortune Receives Excellent Reviews


The paintings of Lizanne Uychaco are not only great works of art. They are talismans and harbingers of good luck. I am not surprised she has made waves in the local and international scene. She is indeed a national artist in the making.


Secretary Cerge Remonde


Presidential Management Staff Chief





It is wonderful to witness Feng Shui up close and meaningful through the outstanding expressions of an artist. Lizanne’s creative works reflect an appreciation of tradition from calligraphy to ancient symbols imaginatively crafted for the contemporary taste. The colors are vibrant, the horses even if stationary are in motion—the paintings are a delight to behold and a treasure to enliven any space.

Cecile Guidote-Alvarez


Executive Director


National Commission on Culture and Arts



Lizanne has gone a long way since she first started. She is a very disciplined artist. I am amazed at her will to pursue whatever she wants to pursue. She should serve as a model for other business people and artists. There is no half-heartedness when she sets herself to do something. She always gives 100 percent. Lizanne is such a delightful person, she likes to listen and learn. You will not find a trace of arrogance.


Sonia P. Ner


Curator, Editor, former Director of Ayala Museum,


Executive Director of Asia Society, and


Dean of Miriam College






Lizanne Uychaco is a fine, sensitive artist who imaginatively engages her Filipino and Chinese heritage every time she paints. She exquisitely blends Feng Shui elements and charms and amulets including her yin yang, good luck coin from childhood. A home must have at least one of her works for good energy and good artistic sense.

Karina Bolasco


Publishing Manager and AGM, Anvil Publishing



The name and works of Lizanne Uychaco echo in the world of modern Asian art. Well versed in Feng Shui, she conscientiously explores the roots and origins of Chinese beliefs, melding them into her art work. Innovative outlines of expression exude in her work as traditional genres are mixed with modern ideas. To me, Lizanne’s works help to bring about serenity, calmness, health and good fortune!


J. Roberto Delgado


Founder and Group Chairman


Transnational Diversified Group



Lizanne’s work has a unique draw because she renders strong colors with exquisite detail, combining forces with serenity.


Rufo Colayco


Former CEO Kuok Shangri-La Group



The work of Lizanne Uychaco projects forces that appeal to entrepreneurs, such as good fortune and wealth that are the reward for hard work and risk-taking.


Andrew Tan


Chairman


Mega World



Lizanne, the artist is both mystic and poetic fusing history with legends, her works of art invoke and provoke the spirit of all who reflect on her creation. Bravo!


Cory Quirino



Lizanne’s treatment of mixed media is superb. Her figures—especially horses come to lfe,, exuding power, energy, and a strong sense of movement. She has truly mastered her unique craft.



Gil Yuzon


Chairman Emeritus


Hemisphere, Leo Burnett



With great admiration for the beautiful and positive energy of your art


Budji Layug



A great interpretation of cultural elegance!


Royal Pineda



It’s an honor to be invited to a very distinguished exhibit. I certainly look forward to another exceptional show in the near future. More power to Lizanne Uychaco.


Napoleon Abueva