Elegant. Artistic. Unique. These are just some of the words we’d use to describe Ava Bernabe’s works. Ava is an artist from Manila known for her delicate, hand-painted wedding invitations, which is a premiere offering of her humble art business, Aves Stationery. Her Bespoke Invitations showcases minimalistic designs with calligraphy and gives a more artistic touch to wedding invites by including watercolor artworks of photos or places that are close to her clients’ hearts. The artist has since then expanded to custom artworks, having received requests for commissioned portraits and watercolor bespoke suites.

As with any other business, Aves Stationery was also hit by the COVID-19 pandemic as corporate events and weddings were restricted. Having only begun in October 2019, it would’ve been easy to lose heart and let go, but as a passionate creative, Ava considered this an opportunity to learn something new. She turned to landscape painting, connected more with nature, and found inspiration in scenes she couldn’t physically explore at that time. With the mastery of a new art form, the art business owner was able to expand her service offerings. Currently, she has added Fine Art commissions to her list of services, accepting requests for custom illustrations, murals, and live event painting projects.

The Beat Asia sat down with Ava to talk more about her craft and the exciting services in her growing stationery business. She also gave us a glimpse into the process of her work as a live event painter and how facilitating art workshops has opened her eyes to new styles and expressive art forms, further igniting her love for the visual language and inspiring her to capture more than just images, but also stories through remarkable pieces of original art.

Hi Ava! Can you tell us more about your medium? Is it something you’ve always practiced?

Gouache is like a mix of watercolor and acrylics with an oil paint vibe, but much easier to handle. It comes in small tubes, so it’s easy to carry around and set up. I first used it as ink for calligraphy projects in college and continued using it for corporate work and brand events. I’ve enjoyed using it ever since, but it wasn't until 2020 that I started creating paintings with it.

I've tried other mediums too. For me, watercolors are tricky because mistakes are visible due to their transparency. On the other hand, Acrylics dry quickly, making it hard to get the right colors sometimes, but I enjoy layering acrylic paints and creating impasto finishes.

Recently, I've been exploring oil painting and finding similarities with gouache. I hope to dive deeper into it soon!

That's really interesting! So, how did turning your art into a business come about?

After college, I spent a few years working as an Accounts Executive at an advertising agency. I collaborated with creatives and planners to build campaigns for various brands in the FMCG sector. This gave me great exposure to how brands manage their businesses. The creative side of me has always been there. I started conducting calligraphy workshops on the side while still studying, with my co-instructor, JJ Carino. I guess the entrepreneurial spirit has always been a part of me, and I love sharing and selling things I create. Luckily, people are buying!

Did you experience any hurdles during the transition?

The biggest hurdle was probably starting off alone. Doing and deciding everything on my own was a huge challenge considering I was used to working with a team, so it took a while for me to figure out how to handle everything solo.

From business planning and filing taxes to creating the actual products and fine-tuning the services I offer; it was all on me. I plan, create, shoot, and edit my own content. I'm also my own social media manager and website editor. Plus, I do various things like wedding invites, live painting, corporate events, and mural painting, each requiring its own planning and execution.

Whoa, running it seems to be a great challenge! How do you ensure to keep your passion for your craft alive?

I like to mix things up creatively! I know it's important to stick with one craft, especially in painting where brush mileage really counts. But sometimes, I just need to try new things to keep it fun and exciting. It could be as simple as cooking new recipes and plating them creatively. Or getting into a new sport where I think can apply my creativity too. Instead of always painting indoors, I love getting outside to paint in nature.

Adding some plants to our home or rearranging the furniture also helps keep things fresh. I also enjoy taking and editing videos and collating them into a visual journal. Lately, I've been adding dancing to the mix!

Speaking of trying new things, you recently got into Live Event Painting. How did that start?

I was inspired by artists abroad who did live wedding paintings. Since I was already in the wedding industry as a stationery artist, I decided to offer this additional service to my clients.

Could you walk us through the process? What challenges do you usually face?

I set up a meeting a few months before the big day with the bride and groom and their wedding planner. This way, we can set expectations and figure out how my painting fits into the flow of the event. We go over everything – the packages, painting style, timeline, materials, canvas size, and paints. We even discuss little details like where I'll be set up since I need a nearby water source to dump dirty paint water and an outlet for my lamp. It's all about making sure everything runs smoothly on the day.

On the wedding day, I arrive a few hours before the ceremony to set up my painting gear. I plan how I'll take a photo of the couple, which I'll then use as a reference for my painting. It gets crazy sometimes because everyone’s so busy with their own thing! I keep painting throughout the night, depending on the schedule. Once the wedding is over, I pack up and take the painting home to refine and finish it in my home studio.

How do you determine which moment to paint?

Months before the wedding, I share a list of sample moments with the couple that they might want to capture in the painting. It could be their first kiss, their first dance in the ballroom, a simple portrait outside the church ceremony, or even a fun moment like cutting the cake or tossing the bouquet.

I let them decide which moments are most special to them. This way, the painting captures a scene that's really meaningful for the couple.

Do you have a favorite part in the process?

Probably seeing the reactions of the bride and groom when they check on the painting's progress. I also enjoy chatting with guests, as live painting adds an entertaining element to the reception.

In addition to Live Event Painting, you also facilitate art workshops. Can you tell us how that came about?

I actually started my first calligraphy workshop back in 2015 while I was still in college. I teamed up with a workshop classmate who was also into it, and we decided to hold classes at a cafe in Alabang called “Designer Blooms.” We had about 25 or more students, and it was a monthly thing. It was a fun time! We got to meet people from all walks of life – doctors, teachers, moms, kids – all looking for a fun, creative outlet.

Now, I've expanded my workshops to include landscape and still-life painting using gouache. I also offer them both in person and online to anyone interested in learning whether they’re beginners or someone with artistic experience. I also get invited by brands to do demos and paint for their guests, which is always a fun experience.

Since you’re handling students with varying artistic experiences, how do you go about it? Where do you start and how do you ensure that your workshop provides value?

For beginners, I like to start with landscapes (it’s how I also started!). Nature's imperfections make painting really calming and enjoyable. Unlike more intricate subjects like portraits or still life, landscapes allow for a lot of creative interpretation – trees don’t need to have perfect branches and leaves, after all! I always begin with a little lesson on color theory to get everyone on the same page.

For those with experience, since I teach gouache, it's usually a new medium for them. They're often curious about how it works because it’s so versatile. My experienced students find it liberating to start fresh and explore new concepts. It gives them a chance to feel like students again, which is really refreshing and opens up a lot of creative possibilities.

What’s the most rewarding part about facilitating these workshops?

I love gathering all the finished pieces for a group photo after class. It's amazing to see the different styles and colors everyone comes up with, even though we all follow the same guidelines and reference images. It's like each painting has its own unique fingerprint – everyone brings their own flair to it.

Also, seeing everyone post their artwork and share how happy they are to have learned something new.

Is there anything you would want people to know about your work as an artist?

I tell my friends that there's no deep or complicated meaning behind my work. It's not very technical. No fancy descriptions. I just hope that when people see my paintings, they feel the joy I had in creating them.

With everything you’ve accomplished so far, you’re an inspiration to a lot of aspiring artists. Any advice?

Have fun!Paint what makes you happy, not what you think what others want to see. Hopefully this will create a more enjoyable experience which will be reflected in your work.

To learn more about Ava's works or to book a class or custom artwork, click here.