Ernan Pillerva

PORTRAITS FOR A SONG, full backpage article, Village Mail issue September-October 2008

“If my friends ask for portraits, it is always a
good treat from me. I thought, if I could be a friend
to everybody, then it would be nice that everyone
will enjoy the same treat for a portrait!”

I am Ernan Tornea Pillerva, your Artist.

What is a Portrait?
To the nobles, great men
and heroes, the expression of
greatness is devoted in busts of
statues, monuments and most
of all, their dignified portraits.
A portrait is the everlasting
impression of one’s presence,
a dedication that endures time,
in a frozen moment.

A Celebration of Life
It is a great pride for a man
to see the elegant impression
of himself, lovingly portrayed
by an artist.
The smile in a mysterious
passion, the warmth of
dramatic contrast and the glow
of unseen glamour, compose
a colorful refrain in a dreamy
melody, a soar for the soul while
the vision dances gracefully.
Every person to portrait is
a challenge. I educate myself
by observing people singly or
in groups. I study the caress of
light that draws drama and
gentle contrast to every face
of gender and ages.
Unlike a portrait in a
photograph, the presentation
in any medium of the arts,
challenges not only the visual
awareness, but also one’s
intellectual sensitivity.
Art transcends the spirit to
the level of great joy and awe.
It transforms the subject in a
timeless expression of candid
surprise, proud confidence
and mysterious calmness in an
event of ecstasy.

The Medium
I chose to use watercolor
medium to paint portraits. It is
versatile and effective for
small-scaled artworks. I do
portraits on an 8.5x11 inch
paper. The size is ideal for a
solo pose. I do a lot of this size
for friends and relatives as gifts.
With watercolors, every
stroke and washes of colors
are filled with anticipation and
surprises. The bleeding colors
by gravity, create life itself.
Quickness, precision, clear
thinking and decisiveness of
soft and sharp strokes are
needed to capture the personal
uniqueness of the subject.

About Me
As an artist, I handle not
just watercolor medium. I
work also with oil paints, the
brute, bravura way, mostly of
landscapes and for murals.
I use acrylic paints for
large-scaled abstract works on
canvas and wood panels.
I spend every moment of
creativity. I paint fast, finishing
several artworks in a day.
I did murals in churches,
hospitals, restaurants, private
and public institutions.


My Art Training
My formal education is
B.S. Fine Arts / Advertising at
St. Scholastica’s College in
Manila. A mural is still hanging
on the 3rd floor of H Building.
My province is,
Cavite. At present, I live in the
south suburbia, within a hilly
village, city of Muntinlupa.

An Invitation
I welcome friends to a
vision of colorful dimension.
Transform yourself to art, be the
subject of aesthetics.
For friends, I always do
portraits for a treat. Get yours.
Check out my contact details.