Brush Strokes of Brilliance: Ed Araquel’s Artistic journey
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Multi-talented and multi-awarded artist Ed Araquel
Ed was born in Aguilar, Pangasinan in May 1933 to Epifania Quimson and Abdon Araquel. Ed has three brothers and a sister.
How did he discover his passion for painting? “Even as a small boy, I loved making art,” he says, “I picked up clay and carved faces on them. My grandfather, Pedro Lazo, was a famous sculpture across the country at the time, so I watched him work and was fascinated by the process of art making itself.”
With a gleam in his eyes, he says art is his soul's sustenance. “Creating art satisfies me in a way nothing else can. I relish both the rewards and accolades it brings, and with every piece I create, there exists an ever-present space for improvement. That's why I'm constantly driven to give it my all. Also teaching is very rewarding for me.”
Ed at his studio
For portraits, Ed says he draws inspiration from Rembrandt. In other instances, “I embrace my own unique style. I also appreciate the timeless quality of classical painting, contrasting it with the fleeting nature of some colorful works. In landscapes and watercolors, I strive to create a focal point that captivates the viewer's gaze, much like a soloist in an orchestra, drawing their eyes to the heart of the piece."
An art shop owned by Roman Vila, a professional artist, was near Ed’s his high school. At just 12 years old, he asked to apprentice with Vila, marking the start of his painting education.
After World War II, he began his career airbrushing photos of war casualties for widowed wives. As word spread, he seized numerous assignments. Unable to afford college, he moved to Manila after high school, confident in his marketable art skills. Swiftly securing a job at the Central Market in Santa Cruz, he painted flowers on plant pots for a meager one centavo a piece. Adjacent to the market was Dalisay Theatre, where he made signs, crafting vibrant cinema posters and signing letters. Recognized for his exceptional calligraphy and painting, he soon caught the attention of theatre owners. This led to a position at Caoile & Sons Advertising, where, under strict supervision of the owner, he refined his skills. His reputation grew, resulting in an offer from Racor Signs, owned by a Mr. Dedel, a U.S.-trained professional architect. At Racor, he mastered silk screen painting and perfected his unique calligraphy and poster-making styles, all executed manually on projects of various scales.
Ed freelanced for two years following his time at Racor, primarily serving politicians in need of unique and appropriately sized flyers and banners. His distinctive and original designs garnered attention, leading one of his previous clients to hire him once more. This opportunity led to his employment at Gabriel Advertising, where he specialized in billboard advertising, involving the manual painting of designs on huge galvanized iron billboards. Among his notable clients was Shell Philippines, for whom he fulfilled all its signage requirements. Eventually, his department at Gabriel closed, and Mr. Torres, the agency's President, invited Ed to join him at Kodak Philippines. Educating himself, Ed learned advertising. It was with Kodak that he earned his first award as the Best Display Artist in the Far East.
Ed always embraced opportunities, and he saw them arrive one after another. While crafting a display board at Kodak, a Chinese man recognized his skills and suggested they were needed in Canada. Ed promptly visited the Canadian Embassy with his portfolio in hand.
The Canadian ambassador was so impressed with his art he handed Ed two directories of companies in Canada to which he could write letters of application. Ed was surprised to receive three offers from a country he had never been to. He landed in Toronto in August 1965. Three months later, he was joined by his wife, Cristeta, and their first born, Ed Jr.
Most of the sign painters he worked with were Scottish and British. Ed shared and taught his skills and tricks, initially working for a sign company in Toronto. Later, he moved to Simpson Sears, where he designed and lettered signs. A customer, Jim Bogner, offered him a higher-paying job, prompting Ed to relocate his family to Brantford.
He continued to pursue his passion for painting, impressing local art galleries and becoming a regular exhibitor after winning an Excellence Award at Glenhyrst Gardens. He also ranked among the top five sign painters in Brantford. Further opportunities came his way, including a "name your price" offer at Consolidated Bathurst, a major Canadian paper and pulp company, where he managed the design department.
Ed purchased another home in Haliburton, where he opened his own studio and a gallery with a scenic view of a beautiful lake for fishing and a nearby golf course. When not golfing, which he loves, he painted the golf course. His work was displayed at the clubhouse and soon the golfing industry sent him around the globe to paint their courses. He also taught at the Haliburton School of Fine Arts.
Accompanying his wife's visit to her Vancouver Island relatives, Ed's fishing adventure at Ogden Point yielded impressive salmon. Finding golfing opportunities in November sealed the deal, prompting him to move to the island. In 2000, he bought a house in Sooke.
Ed thrived in the outdoors, often painting freely. His remarkable talents have earned him awards, including an honorable mention at the Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA) fall show. He also won three Hole in One awards. His painting adorns the Highland Pacific Golf clubhouse in exchange for his membership. Notably, he was named Associate with the FCA, qualifying him as a juror and instructor. He secured prizes at the Sidney Fine Art Show, Sooke Fine Art Show, and at multiple FCA exhibitions. His home studio proudly displays paintings adorned with ribbons and rosettes, bearing witness to his exceptional talent.
In 2014, Ed was honored with the Maharlika Award for his contributions in Arts and Culture by the Filipino Canadian Cultural Heritage Society. He exhibits at the FCA Gallery in Granville Island, Vancouver and serves as a resident teacher for watercolor, portrait, and calligraphy at the Juan de Fuca Recreational Centre.
Ed's journey has been a testament to the boundless possibilities that unfold when passion meets opportunity, confirming the notion that when one is open hearted, the artistic spirit can lead to good fortune.
Lani Domaloy is a Filipino-Canadian writer, poet, and photographer living on Vancouver Island in Canada. She draws her creative inspiration primarily from her love for the outdoors, nature, traveling, and the arts.
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