Philippine-based artist Dang Cupido started dabbling in sketching at 11 years old. From then on, this hobby became something she was passionate about. Although she opted to pursue a degree that offered a more practical career, she continued to study art on the side--drawing and painting whenever she could. She draws inspiration from the beauty found in every imperfection and collective life experience.

"I am not good at expressing my thoughts in words, especially on topics I feel helpless. When I paint, I feel like I can tune the world out for hours at a time,” she said.

Her solid and upbeat personality makes her stand out in a crowd, but there are moments she feels otherwise. Dang translates her vulnerability and insecurities through her works to show that every strong facade has a fragile and sensitive side, too.

She has evolved from her surrealistic approach to art through time and merged it with realism through the human figure. Her use of emotions and depiction of them in realistic subjects is her way of telling a story.