Diane Ortiz’s Creative Process Behind ‘Sugod Sugbo’ Series

Diane Ortiz, a self-taught Cebuano artist, has been practicing traditional visual arts since she was 15. The main drivers of her artistic career are Filipino abstract and portrait artists who inspired her to express herself and others through her work.

Diane admits she’s in the exploratory phase of her artistic journey. She boldly tries new techniques, playing with colors, lines, shapes, or any form that will contribute to her creativity and lead her to her style.

When conceptualizing her artworks for this collection [the MASIDLAKON art display at Bintana Coffee House], she had a hard time finding what the subject would be; the thought process juggles creating something that would resonate deeply with the Cebuanos or something that would remind them of their roots or something that made them feel proud of their town’s heritage, places, and historical figures.

She aimed to evoke nostalgia through these paintings; that’s how the “Sugod Sugbo” series was made. Also, she wanted to build a connection with the viewers through the familiar locations in Cebu.

Diane drew inspiration from iconic historical moments, especially the battle between Datu Lapu-Lapu and Ferdinand Magellan, a remarkable legacy of Cebu’s beginnings that lives until today and to the next generations.

“Sugod Sugbo No.1,” 10″ x 10″ acrylic on canvas,
is on display at Bintana Coffee House, Cebu City.

“Sugod Sugbo No.2,” 10″ x 10″ acrylic on canvas,
is on display at Bintana Coffee House, Cebu City.