Creating Happiness Through Nostalgia with Vivian “Veecaps” Capulong
Vivian Capulong aka “Veecaps”, one of Balay Kreative’s artists in residence, found her art practice much later in life.
Having forged a career as a data analyst, she decided to make a switch to something more creative - by day, a UX/UI product designer, and by night, an illustrator. She taught herself how to draw from watching YouTube videos and then spent quarantine honing her newfound craft. Looking at her work, it’s surprising to discover this to be true. Her style is already unique in form - shaped by her Bay Area Fil-Am upbringing, and a love for music and travel.
But within Veecaps herself, there is a quiet innocence and openness - a beginner’s mind mentality that contrasts, yet complements, the depth of her work. In between questions of her interview, she waits patiently as a camera battery needs to be replaced, and waves hello when Cristine Blanco enters the studio. She seems to be soaking everything in - enjoying the process as she begins to explore and discover all that she’s capable of. Perhaps art found her at exactly the right moment. Because, as she says herself, “it feels right”, and she’s just happy to be here. We’re happy she is too.
In a conversation with Jada Montez, she talks about starting from scratch, making people happy with her art, and the legacy she wants to leave behind.
Profile by Chloe Samillano.
“It means so much to me to be [at Balay Kreative]. This is my first artist residency. To be here is such a blessing, and I’ve met such great people…it has introduced me to this whole community. ”
Veecaps at her studio space in Balay Kreative. Inspired by vibrant colors and patterns, she fuses these aesthetics with her nostalgic upbringing in her paintings. Photo by Jada Montez.
How and when did you start your art practice?
So, interestingly enough, I didn't really grow up doing art. I actually started drawing when I was an adult. Probably about 5 or 6 years ago. And I felt like I had to start from scratch. I taught myself how to draw just by learning on YouTube and watching other people draw. It just became one of those things that made me realize that I wanted to hone this craft.
You go throughout life not really knowing what you want to do and all of a sudden you come across this hobby, when you’re a lot older, and it just feels like a step in the right direction - it felt right. Throughout the pandemic, I focused on trying to hone my craft by drawing realistically, taking risks with a lot of color, and that’s kind of how it came to be. I just practiced so much during quarantine that it just became its own thing over time.
“Happy Lil Thizzle”, Digital (2018).
How does the Bay Area influence your art?
It influences it pretty drastically. One of my very first pieces that I’ve done of digital art, which is right above me (points above her head). It’s a crossover of Bob Ross and Mac Dre. It’s the first piece I’ve done with color, so it’s very special to me.
Growing up in the Bay, I grew up sprinkled up and down the Peninsula, so I have a pretty good grasp on what the culture is here. This place is home to me, the people here have made it home to me. And being around all the food, the people, the culture, and places here all have a strong influence on my nostalgic upbringing - which [in turn] directly influences my art itself.
How has the Bay and its community impacted your Fil-Am identity?
I grew up in Daly City and South City, so if you’re from there you know that there’s a lot of Filipinos there. That source of my roots and culture have been instilled from the beginning. And I think that it’s been such a privilege to grow up with that and learn from that as I’ve gotten older. Because there are situations when you want to stray away from it, but being here in the Bay and as a Fil-Am has really rooted me in my culture and it’s only wanted to make me learn more from being here.
“[The Bay Area] is home to me, the people here have made it home to me. [They] all have a strong influence on my nostalgic upbringing - which [in turn] directly influences my art itself.”
What role would you say your art plays in the community?
From what I’ve experienced and what I’ve known, I just always wanted to make people happy with my art. I wanna say that I’ve done justice to that. I love making things that make people happy, making things that are nostalgic to me, and that have certain connections and memories with other people as well. I just wanna bring joy, you know? Times have been really hard lately.
Photo by Jada Montez.
What does being part of Balay Kreative mean to you?
Oh it means so much for me to be here. This is my first artist residency. I only started getting involved with the art community last year when I joined Balay. To be here is such a blessing, and I’ve met such great people. Everyone here has been so kind. It’s introduced me to this whole community that I personally knew nothing about before joining. So having the privilege to learn from other people, to grow in a space where I feel comfortable…it’s been really fun and I hope to do more of it over time.
“I love making things that make people happy, making things that are nostalgic to me, and that have certain connections and memories with other people. I just wanna bring joy, you know? Times have been really hard lately.”
Veecaps with ChiChai, working on ChiChai’s “Sharing the Harvests” mural for TNDC in MIssion Bay.
What are you currently working on?
I’m in the middle of (grabs something from her space) this commission right here. Also working on an upcoming mural that’s gonna be here in the city. I just finished helping ChiChai with her Kain Na mural in Mission Bay. So it’s a little busy, but also I really wanna focus on doing a lot of personal projects. Kinda recenter my voice within art itself - that’s my goal for this year.
Can you talk about what you’ve created for Balay so far?
Yeah so for Balay, I’ve done a few things. The biggest thing I’ve done were my murals at Kapwa Gardens, so my Madonna and Child mural and the one that’s behind it is The Last Supper. Those two were my culture clash of Renaissance and Filipino culture. And I’ve also created a couple practice pieces [in the studio]. Behind me is one of my favorite ones I’ve done. Just a lot of personal projects.
What would be your dream project?
I don’t have one project in particular, but as someone who loves to travel, I would love to do a mural to each city I travel to (Laughs). I know that sounds really far-fetched but when I travel, one of the things I always want to do is touch up on what art is in the city, in the place. Traveling has impacted a lot of my art itself. Just learning from other cultures and wanting to integrate that into my own art is something that I would love to share and I’d love to leave that as my legacy.
Who is one Filipina or woman in your life that is your biggest artistic inspiration?
I can’t pinpoint it down to one, but I grew up with two older sisters and a bunch of older female cousins. [They] have been my inspiration throughout my whole life, like with pop culture, with fashion - they paved the way for me to have this freedom of expression to be myself. So I’m very grateful for that.
“Just learning from other cultures and wanting to integrate that into my own art is something that I would love to share and I’d love to leave that as my legacy. ”
How do you tap into your own power?
In the morning, when I get up, I listen to a bunch of music. Music really sets the day for me and it’s one of those things that helped me become more of a confident person throughout the day. It doesn’t matter what kind of music it is but it’s how I tap into my power, how I center myself.
Photo by Jada Montez.
What are three things you can’t live without? Describe three essential items you use throughout your life.
Ooo, I’ll start with my Hydro Flask. I have it right here (grabs a blue Hydro Flask covered in stickers). I use it every day because it’s important to drink water.
And I also wear this necklace every day (brings up her gold necklace to camera). I actually got this in The Vatican and at Notre Dame, so they’re two pendants that I wear around my neck all the time. They’ve just been a constant source of protection and the only time I take it off is when I shower. I usually wear it when I sleep, so it’s always been there for me.
And the third thing, I’m gonna go back to it again, is music. I listen to music every single day. Music is actually one of the inspirations I have for my art.
With those three things, we have something that feeds my body, something like music that clears my mind, and we have prayer [through] my pendants that nourish my soul.
Anything else you’d like to say?
(she thinks about it, then smiles) I’m just happy to be here, that’s all.
Wanna know more about Veecaps? Be sure to follow @balaykreative and subscribe to our newsletter to hear about her future artwork! Check out our interview with her below.