Embracing All the Possibilities of Change with Cristine Blanco
Cristine Blanco, one of Balay Kreative’s artists in residence, understands the process of change. Her work has revolved around it for years - utilizing sculpture, video, installation, and painting to tackle the process of time through themes of environmental injustice, home, and cultural identity.
To this day, time and change continue to mingle together, blurring the lines between her personal life and her art practice. In the present, she’s balancing the moment-to-moment duties of being a mom, which in itself feels like its own art form. In the past, through a talk with Creativity Explored and Balay Kreative, she’s taken us through her meditative, yet powerful, work with great detail of her process and intentions. Her Kapwa Gardens murals, for instance, became a piece where she unpacked her new identity as a mother, having created it in her third trimester and postpartum.
In terms of the future…she’s not entirely sure yet. Which seems to be completely okay. While the unknown can seem daunting, it also looks to be filled with endless possibilities. Because if her interactions with her baby demonstrate anything, it’s that whatever form her art takes next, it’s one that will be full of love, tenderness, and care.
In a conversation with Jada Montez, she talks about finding her inner power as a new mom, her love for the ocean, and being a creative since day one - all the while trying to feed her (incredibly cute) newborn child.
Profile by Chloe Samillano.
“It’s been a blessing to be part of [the] Balay community. It has felt so supportive, especially being in transition and figuring out my art practice as a mother. Being amongst Filipinx community has been so enriching and fruitful for me.”
How and when did you start your art practice? Did you always want to be an artist?
Ever since I could remember, I’ve always wanted to be an artist. I come from a creative family. My dad and my sister are super talented and growing up they’ve also been an inspiration for me to push myself. Seeing the things they created opened my eyes to what is possible.
How does the Bay Area influence your art? Or your Fil-Am identity?
I grew up in the Bay Area so to me, it’s home, it’s family - it’s part of my identity. And it’s embedded in my work as well.
What does being part of Balay Kreative mean to you?
It means being part of a community (baby yells). That’s what it means (Laughs).
(To baby) You okay? There we go.
Cristine at Balay Kreative with fellow artists in residence, Veecaps (left) and ChiChai (right).
It’s been a blessing to be part of [the] Balay community. It has felt so supportive, especially being in transition and figuring out my art practice as a mother. Being amongst Filipinx community has been so enriching and fruitful for me.
How do you tap into your own power?
I tap into my own power by being in nature and being by the ocean. It makes me feel super powerful. And also being a new mom has definitely helped me find this inner power that I didn't know I had.
Photo by Jada Montez.
Who is one Filipina or woman in your life that is your biggest artistic inspiration?
It’s hard to have one person or one Filipina as an inspiration, so it’s multiple women. It’s the women in my family - my mom, and both of my grandmas. (baby farts) He totally just farted. I think he might have pooped actually (Laughs).
“Being a new mom has definitely helped me find this inner power that I didn’t know I had. ”
What are three things that you can’t live without? Describe three essential items you use in your daily life.
This is hard…I can’t live without a pencil and paper. To always write down all my notes and thoughts and ideas. You know the first thing that comes to mind though, and it’s not a thing, but it’s this baby. This is my life right now. And…gosh, I’m not really attached to things so it’s really hard. My surfboard? I love being by the ocean, so that’s like a major part of my life.
I’m so glad none of the three of you guys - [ChiChai, Veecaps] - said your phone.
(Laughs) It’s a relief to not have my phone around. (baby makes verbal noises, she mimics him) That’s his answer.
Cristine and her son in her studio space at Balay Kreative. Photo by Jada Montez.
Is there anything you’re currently working on?
I have such limited time so most of my new works are sketches in my notebook. I’m allowing myself to be inspired by everyday moments and am learning to embrace the chaos and imperfections that is my life. So in that way, I’m always coming up with something as far as artwork. I’m mostly working on short, quick paintings that may inform a series down the line. So my art practice is changing a lot.
What would be your dream project?
Gosh, that’s so hard (Laughs). I don’t know what it would be. I definitely want to create sculpture and painting on a bigger scale. That’s tough…. just being able to have more time honestly. If I had more time to work, that would be the biggest dream right now (Laughs).
Wanna know more about Cristine? Be sure to follow @balaykreative and subscribe to our newsletter to hear about her future artwork! Check out our interview with her below.
If you felt inspired by Cristine’s story, check out our profiles on fellow artists in residence, ChiChai Mateo and Veecaps.