Hannah Patricia Manalang, a sophomore majoring in graphic design from the Philippines, said, “Painting is very therapeutic. It makes you forget about a lot of your problems and things that are on your mind. Art gives me a medium not only to create, but to help me focus and to relieve stress.”
Manalang said she has always been interested in art, but painting is something she was encouraged to do from a young age. Manalang said, “A lot of my teachers wanted to help me find my talent. They saw potential in me and encouraged me to get into painting and art.”
She continued, “I started painting when I was 11 or 12… My dad bought me my first set of paints and canvas, and I just started painting everything I saw. I stopped for a couple years because I was focusing on other art forms.”
Manalang said it was her experience working in the Kauhola Art Gallery at the Polynesian Cultural Center that inspired her to continue painting again. “I started picking up painting again over this past summer. Because of my work, I get to work closely with local artists, who help and inspire me.”
Getting into painting
Although she said she could paint anything, Manalang said she has a particular interest in painting sea life because of living in Hawaii. She said, “Right now I have a deep fascination for sea creatures and the deep ocean. We don’t really see much of what’s under the ocean, and there’s just something beautiful about God’s creations living somewhere so dark, yet being so beautiful.”
Manalang said her first experience being taught art was here at BYU–Hawaii. “I never had formal lessons until I got to BYU–Hawaii. It’s always been self-taught and observation. I’ve just practiced almost every single day.”
She also explained becoming a better painter requires effort and consistent practice. “I spend a few hours per day painting, sketching, or imagining different colors and scenes.”
Art as a connection to God
Manalang believes people are also art, and they were beautifully designed. “Everything in this world is art, from our body down to our shoes. Everything was designed and created by someone or something. Art is within us. It’s something that we can’t live without, because it’s who we are.”
Manalang also said her painting and art has helped her develop a stronger connection with God. “Art has helped me find myself. It’s helped me discover a deeper connection with God, with nature. We lead busy lives, and sometimes we forget the beauty of things that are right in front of us.
“I think God is an artist. If you just look around… look at the sky and the colors it has. Or when the sun sets and rises. There are beautiful colors and scenes. The earth is God’s canvas. It’s just so beautiful.”
Why she loves art
Growing up, Manalang said she participated in several different forms of art. “I paint, draw, write, play cello and violin. Art is something I’ve always been involved in. Art gives you so much freedom to create and imagine.”
Manalang said she loves being able to interpret and create art out of the everyday life people live. “I usually paint or draw something with the intention of keeping it for myself. When I paint something, I tend to form an attachment to it… because it’s my interpretation of what I see.”
Manalang said she has sold many pieces of her art. She said, “When someone is interested in my artwork, I’ll let them buy it. People find me through friends, social media, and I have some at the Kauhola Art Gallery. People will see me painting while I’m working and be interested.”