Cristeta Joy Sison

At first, I create art because I liked it. When I uploaded my works on social media, I began receiving likes and praises. It gave me confidence, but it also made me sad. I fell into the trap of social media validation--I didn't get out of it until recently. The pandemic gave me a chance to explore art and find what it meant for me. It became a medium to express my feelings. It became a channel where I connected with people and empathized with them. It also became a way for me to meet new friends. It made me appreciate and love the environment more (I often paint floral arrangements). I felt happier and more satisfied when I finally learned what art meant for me and how I can use it to make a difference in the world, even if it is just within my bubble.

My art represents feelings we can't express, don't know how to communicate, and don't understand. Mainly, my art represents my feelings but people who see it resonates with it. I guess my art is not just about me but other people as well.

Before, I paint characters/scenes from my favorite shows. I would also look for floral arrangements online to use as a reference. One day, it occurred to me to make my arrangements. I would pick individual photos of flowers online then I would combine them on paper. Whenever I travel, I take a lot of pictures, so I have reference photos in the future. I pick flowers based on their symbolism and how they reflect what I'm feeling, what's going on in my life, and my surroundings. It usually takes me a week to finish a 9" x 12" painting. It could take me longer if there's too much detail.

I'd say that falling into the social media validation trap is the worst struggle I've faced. I think a lot of people nowadays can relate to this. I fell into the trap of creating to get a lot of likes. The more likes, the more I perceived that my work is great. If I get less than the previous post, I would get so sad that I wouldn't have the will to paint. I felt like I'm not a good artist. There's also this comparison with other artists who are getting many likes, followers, commissions, and recognitions. I've struggled with this since I started posting online.

What helped me was my boyfriend/partner, who always asks, why do I do this? This question would always pop up in my head whenever I am on the verge of falling into the trap again. My answer would always be because painting makes me happy. I get lost in the process and forget all my problems. It is an outlet for me to express my feelings. It also helps me connect with people, and most importantly, I inspire other people. Thinking about these things takes away my fear of getting less like and the thought of being a not-so-good artist.