ENTERTAINMENT

ENTERTAINMENT

FASHION & BEAUTY

FASHION & BEAUTY

SEX & HEALTH

SEX & HEALTH

LIFESTYLE

LIFESTYLE

UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY

CAREER

CAREER

LIFESTYLE: ARTS

FEB 2007 Lifestyle Arts

-.-Artist Elizabeth Sison-Takagi

Artist Elizabeth Sison-Takagi

I was impressed from the very first moment I saw Elizabeth's artwork online. I wrote asking to know a little more about her artwork & computer painting process.

After seeing her portfolio literally grow overnight, I didn't hesitate to invite her into a small group show in my NYC gallery, and then to my amazement, she & her artwork showed up !!!

I am continually delighted to see Elle's dezigns !!!

ASIANCE: Elizabeth, Where were you born?

Elizabeth: I was born in the beautiful city of Pampanga, 80 kilometers away from Manila; capital of the Philippines.

ASIANCE: What types of activities were you interested in as a little girl?

Elizabeth: Aside from playing our native games, I was and had already been extremely interested in dancing. As a young girl I entered several dance contests with my friends as a group but would always end up a loser. Not winning didn’t stop my love for dance; instead I enjoyed it more. Winning was not my purpose, but to enjoy myself on the dance floor; showing off my ability in dancing, expressing myself and my love for dance as well.


And during my elementary years, never was I not present in any programs and parties performing and rendering a dance number.

ASIANCE: So you didn’t study dance?

Elizabeth: I had no formal training nor did I attend dance school, though I took a two-month course in Ballet and Jazz in preparation for my Licensure Exam. Fortunately, I was able to pass the said exam and became a licensed Ballet and Jazz Instructor.

ASIANCE: At what age did you start to draw?

Elizabeth: I exactly don’t know when, but I was eight years old when I found myself drawing inside our class. I wasn’t paying attention to my teacher and I was drawing a sexy lady carrying a dog instead.

ASIANCE: Were you always interested in fashion?

Elizabeth: Yes… Well I guess, it’s also innate that I have an eye for fashion because I remember when I was very young, I wasn't even in school then. I already liked to have my nails polished. I stole my older cousins’ stuff and put my make-up on. I would wear my Mom’s accessories and shoes. I didn’t want to be photographed without my pony tails and without holding anything in my hand.

ASIANCE: You also had a career as a model. Tell us What accomplishments you've had as a model.

Elizabeth: Being a model is already an accomplishment. And I could say, I have many but to enumerate a few:　I always feel a sense of accomplishment each time I am on a ramp doing the catwalk because I feel like I always make my "little Elle" happy and always making her wishes and dreams come true; As a model representing the Philipines, I was able to travel abroad for free, I met many different people and learned a bit about their culture. That was when I traveled to Germany to represent our country for the Top Model of the World competition. I am certain that this is one of my most prevailing accomplishments not only in my entire modeling years but in my entire life as well; I was able to attain one of my dreams, to have my own boutique. . As a model, it was very easy for me to convince people to buy my own-designed gowns.

ASIANCE: Tell us what influence dance has had on you? What role did dance have in your life?

Elizabeth: Gigantic! “Dance” has been and has played a very BIG and important role in my life. I needed to audition and join the Dance Troupe at the University where I was studying to be able to get a scholarship in order to support my schooling. It was due to my passion for dance that I was able to get a full scholarship and finish my four year course. I believe that if it wasn’t for “dance”, or I should say, “My passion for dance”, I may not have reached the status I have right now.

I am certain that “dance” helped me hone my personality as well; my stance, poise, etc., and was also the key to my success as a peacock strutting on a runway.

And last but not the least, dance also influenced my artwork, my elegant ladies in grand chete, arabesque and ron de jambe continue to dance in elegant fashions in my art.

ASIANCE: Did you have any special teachers or anyone that made a difference in your life? as a child?

Elizabeth: It was only after I got married. I used to be a weak person but my husband taught me and helped me to become a strong woman; being tough made me more aggressive to learn new things, in particular in our business, and how to handle and surpass difficult circumstances.

Elizabeth Sison-Takagi

Someone also helped me boost my self-confidence, my problem for not believing in my talent as a painter. I am grateful for meeting Steven Speliotis and for his appreciation of my artwork. Because of his compelling words and for believing in me, he, without a doubt inspired me a lot to create more distinctive works.

Steven Speliotis: Thank you!

ASIANCE: I saw your designs that are very sensual & provocative. Will we see your fashions on a runway sometime?

Elizabeth: Unquestionably! I am in fact looking forward to producing a show and having my designs on a runway.

ASIANCE: I've never seen work like yours. You have a very definite style, where do your designs come from?

Elizabeth: I have from tip to toe nooooo idea. Visuals instantly come out depending on my mood.

I love living with my imagination. It helps me picture things which I dare not possess, see, hear nor allow myself to feel. Painting from my imagination gives me a pleasant surprise and it tickles my curiosity in many ways. I love to paint my emotions, affections and desires.

ASIANCE: I see a recurring theme in your work. Butterflies, snakes & ropes...are these just design elements or do they have a personal meaning for you?

Elizabeth: My artwork often integrates Butterflies, Snakes & Ropes to symbolize the freedom & power in the sensuality one feels when expressing on the outside who we are on the inside.

I used BUTTERFLIES as an integral part of my art signifying my desire for freedom. SNAKES are a symbol of the warm, gentle, often imprisoned desire. My desire is to express this yearning with love and pleasure. While I also incorporate ROPE into my portraits to symbolize flexible, strong women who are able to detach themselves from their worries and fears in order to be oneself.

ASIANCE: Your artwork is created on the computer correct? How does that work? Please explain the process of your painting?

Elizabeth: Yes, my artwork is created on the computer but isn’t done like a usual digital artwork, or works that are done in photoshop/illustrator, where you can import, clean and edit an object, etc.

I am using an “IGrafix Designer Software”, similar to a painter who uses water colors, oil pastels and/or a pen. I always start from zero, a blank, clear sheet, draw every outline and detail using a computer mouse as my pen. Have the finished black and white image colored based on what the artwork best suits the theme, the collection, etc. The only difference and the advantage of using the said software is, I could undo/redo, easily delete/change/fix the colors, the shapes without any hassles, which a manual painter does often experience yet may not possibly or easily alter.

ASIANCE: Where can our readers see more of your work?

Elizabeth: Readers can see more of my artwork and/or my collections which are continuously evolving and updated for the seasons at www.elizabethsison.com/

ASIANCE: Is your artwork for sale?

Elizabeth: Yes, my artwork is for sale.

ASIANCE: Do you exhibit your art anywhere?

Elizabeth: Yes, in fact my work is represented by Steven Speliotis` Gallery, “The Body Archive”, which is located at # 9 Ninth avenue, the Meat Packing District, New York City. For more information on my previous and upcoming events, readers can visit www.elizabethsison.com/redwed.html

ASIANCE: So what's next in your life? What are you dreams & goals for the next year? five years? ten years?

Elizabeth: I could see pampering myself with things which I’ve long dreamed of; operating a boutique for my distinctive designs; a dance studio; and a gallery where I and my partner both blissfully enjoy our love for arts.

ASIANCE: If any of our readers would like to learn how to design, what words of advice would you share with our readers?

Elizabeth: Designing is expressing ones uniqueness. My words of advice I could share to all who would like to learn how to design is, be inimitable. Others’ designs could be elegant but try not to idolize or get stuck on one designer’s creation because without you knowing it, your designs could become a replica of theirs. Be imaginative; establish your own identity that would give impact to the people to easily recognize you.

ASIANCE: Thank you Elizabeth! It's a pleasure to know you and for sharing your life experiences with us.