FOR THIS Thomasian pre-school teacher, self-study pays off.
After obtaining degree in Psychology from the University in 2011, Paola Jane Esteron opted to make a name in typography after two months of watching instructional videos uploaded in Youtube.
It was in 2013 thay she started teaching herself how to create artworks using nib pens while working on her master’s studies in Early Childhood, which she eventually finished in St. Joseph’s College in 2014.
The 25-year-old preschool teacher from Lourdes School in Quezon City, however, diverted from nib pen to brushes because it was more convenient.
Her experiences obtained from enrolling in calligraphy workshops resulted in the development of her own style of creating calligraphy characterized by florals, galaxies and children’s illustrations.
“I always add a whimsical feel in my work by putting flourishes around the text layout itself. I think my choice of colors for the words I work on helps, too,” said Esteron, whose pieces are even made appealing with her own texts.
Although she does not avidly practice Psychology, her four-year background in the field helped her improve her communication skills and deciphering what is appealing to the market. Her stint as the editor-in-chief of Infopsych, the official publication of the UST Psychology Society, has also been contributing in composing inspirational statements which serve as curtain-raiser in her every piece.
This proved to be pivotal after conducting successive calligraphy workshops. She first hosted workshop at iChill Theatre Café in Sampaloc, followed by sessions in Maginhawa in Quezon City, Baguio, and La Union. In addition, Esteron holds private sessions by appointment.
In 2015, Esteron was among the 30 local artists chosen by Tomato, a well-known clothing brand, whose works were featured in “Swap x Type,” a collection of watch that features inspirational texts made by local artists.
Esteron’s artwork was highlighted by minimalist statement “Carry On” and aesthetically enhanced with soft hues of floral designs—both depicting her journey in the field of art.
“If you show compassion and commitment in what you do, you become competent in whatever field you choose in life,” Esteron said.
Tomato was not the only company which recornized her talent. Copenhagen-based Enfant Terrible Magazine featured her artworks in their travel journal edition.
Esteron also co-designed the cover of the 2016 version of the “This Journal Will Actually Change Someone’s Life,” a planner released by Free Speech Publications, with Michelle Carillo.
As of press time, the planner has been reproduced 975 time, said Judy Jamolangue, marketing director of the Free Speech Publications.
“We are very thankful that Paola volunteered to help us with planner! She is quite well known in the ‘calligraphy’ art circle and we have gotten a lot of orders because people have seen her work,” Jamolangue said in an email.
Moreover, Esteron also runs “Crafty Kitty,” an online store for calligraphy journals, tote bags and other stationaries such as erasers and rubber stamps. Unsurprisingly, Esteron creates everything—from the hand-sewn spines of the notebooks to the hand-painted designs of her tote bags and journals.
Gaby Formoso, author of the teen-oriented blog Plain Cutouts (plaincutouts.wordpress.com), described Esteron’s artworks as an artist who “exposed the entirety of her as an artist.”
“In each of Paola’s works, you will feel a part of her pulsating—[sweating] on every drop of ink on her calligraphy cover. She has made herself vulnerable [and that] is what mass produced journals lacked,” Formoso said in her blog entry “Melting pot of raw talent: 98B Escolta Future Market.” Maria Corazon A. Inay
