JUVENAL SANSO, artist: I am most creative when I am in love, because painting to me is close to carnal knowledge. And I’ve been painting in love for the past 60 years, because I’ve been painting like mad.
MARTA MATUTE, cake designer: I am most creative when: 1) Challenged by discriminating clients who won’t settle for "something done before" and bring new meaning to custom-made, 2) In the company of other right-brained minds, like my art director brother, Miguel Mari, and 3) in the shower where there is quiet time to think (or at 2 a.m. with my husband).
RACHY CUNA, floral stylist: I feel most creative when I put on my traveling shoes. Most inspiring to me are the shop windows in Hong Kong, the history of Beijing, the bustle of Shanghai, the temples of Bangkok, the lights and energy of Tokyo, Paris and New York, and the surprises of Divisoria.
ANTONIO V.K. GARCIA, Mabolo Flower Gallery owner: I feel most creative at my rest house in Laguna, sitting on my deck, taking in the view of the lake, listening to my favorite selection of music, and sipping a cool glass of wine. It is during these moments when I am most relaxed and my mind is free to wander and explore. But creativity for me is a spontaneous thing, and when I am challenged by the uniqueness of each individual, which is my source of inspiration, trying to please them gets my creative juices flowing.
PONCE VEREDIANO, landscape artist: I feel most inspired when it is raining and I am with someone I love.
CANDICE B. DIZON, Jul B. Dizon Jewellery Salon jewelry designer: I am most creative when I am fresh from travel and have had my fill of R&R. I love to travel but I don’t get to do it much since I have to stay and manage the stores. But when I do, my creative box is just overflowing with colors, shapes and designs that on my way back, on the plane, I am already working on the new jewelry collection. My R&R is very important to me. I tend to go blank when I am tired and stressed. I don’t like to work under pressure even if sometimes my best designs are done under the watchful eye of the client with a time limit of five minutes.
ARIEL LOZADA, NEC Inc. fashion and events producer/director: When each time I get to remind myself that everything that happens to me, good or bad, is additional texture to my life, growth and maturity. You get inspired and you charge forward. It’s my way of finding my freedom to explore and be able to create. The only place to find ideas is by looking at what people did in the past, or the things around you. It’s the only way you can be original. You can’t be original by just wanting to do something. Nothing comes from a vacuum. You have to find it from somewhere. There are all kinds of things you notice and realize that you can translate these into something new.
JOSIE NATORI, fashion designer: When I am traveling and have quiet time, on the plane where I can sketch ideas, when I am in Paris inspired by everything I see. At the same time, I get enthused and creative working with my design team.
AUREO ALONZO, couturier: When I am in the mood. Number one, tumungo ka sa itaas para ilagay Niya sa aking isipan ang dapat kong gawin at dapat kong ilagay sa isang damit.
TERESING MENDEZONA, party stylist: When I am pressured, I always want to do my best and excel.