Carmen Brias Westendorp on her mother & two countries

Renowned painter Betsy Westendorp recently presented “Reflections,” an exhibit that looked back at her life in art and love for the Philippines. The artist, who shuttles between Spain and the Philippines, now presents another source of her pride and joy: Manila-born daughter Carmen Brias Westendorp. Mother and daughter will present their works together in an exhibit at Ayala Museum beginning April 14.

Here, Carmen Brias Westendorp shares her life and work under the tutelage of her artist-mother.

What is your background in painting and sculpting? Did you get formal training in the arts?

I studied a three-year course on painting restoration in Madrid. I realized that I loved painting but competing with my mother was too much, and I decided to take a different but similar way. Sculpture was the love of my father and I also enjoyed it. I did portraits in terracotta, but decided to put more emphasis on painting. I’m doing sculpture in wood in Spain.

How long have you been an artist? What did your family have to say about your following an artistic path?

I started in school when I tried to copy the self-portrait of Van Gogh with a dark blue background and also got the gray church. I was around 14 or 15. I‘ve always been fascinated by his paintings — the rhythm, colors and energy. My family has always been very happy about it and they’ve always been very supportive.

What are your memories of your earliest works? How has it evolved over time?

My earliest works were really from around 20 years ago when my mother started her own painting school at home in Madrid. Being surrounded by such enthusiastic people was an inspiration for me, so I decided to join them and I loved it, although my mother never guided me because she wanted me to develop my own style.

My first painting was of three horses galloping on the beach while being accompanied by a huge bird like a gigantic flamingo pulling an island in the air at the same time the horses advance.

What’s the best compliment you’ve gotten about your work?

Something like my painting reminded the viewer of a historical character. I think it was fun. I mean, who could it be?

You paint a variety of subjects. What do you think would best describe your paintings?

As stated in the Diccionario de Pintores y Escultores Españoles (Dictionary of Spanish Painters): “It is a fantastic ingenuism with a surrealistic inclination, an exuberance of color using firm drawing to recreate the reality that surrounds us.”

What are your favorite media or art instruments?

Of course, oil painting is number one, but I love to experiment with different medium and textures. I incorporate sometimes objects that attract my attention, a sort of magical possession of the things I put in the painting.

Is this the first time for you to have an exhibit with your mother? How does it feel for your art to be side-by-side with hers?

It is not the first time. We have exhibited with other Filipino artists before like Raimundo Folch, Claude Tayag, Tony D. Pajaro, Ofelia Gelvezon-Tequi, and Ianne R. Castillo at the Casa de America in Madrid in 1998. The exhibition was called “Expressions of Filipino Artists of Today” and was organized by the Philippine embassy in Madrid. The ambassador at that time was Isabel Wilson.

How did your mother influence your art? How did you feel about her being awarded the Philippine Presidential Medal for Art and Culture?

She has influenced not only her daughters but a lot of people with her art and her love for working. Her father was a general in the Spanish Air Force. I think she has become a general in certain ways, but through painting.

Have you ever felt that you had to live up to certain artistic expectations as her daughter?

Well, I suppose so, but we’re different and we’re supposed to be as genuine as much as we can.

How did you choose which works to be exhibited beside hers? 

I have tried to present a variety of my work, especially the ones inspired by the Philippines.

Were you raised in Spain or the Philippines? How have these cultures influenced your work?

I have been very lucky to have a happy childhood in Manila and then adapted to Spain with some difficulty, but now I can say that I feel at home in both countries.

Who or what have been your inspirations as an artist? What are the things that have influenced your work?

The Philippines inspires me a lot, though living in Spain, one has to learn to be more individualistic. As my father was, I’m interested in more primitive ways of living. I think we need to get much more integrated with nature. We’ve lost this some time ago.

Is this the first time for you to exhibit work in the Philippines? Where else can we find your work?

This is the second time. The first time was eight years ago, also at the Ayala Museum. My paintings are in private collections, and at the Azuaga Museum in Spain.

Who are your favorite artists?

Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cezanne, Velazquez, the Flemish painters and many more, and of course, my mom.

If you were not a painter and sculptor, what do you think you’d be?

I would have enjoyed acting, singing and dancing.

Aside from art, what are your other interests?

I’m interested in education. I think it is the biggest and most important art of our time.

What was the best advice you ever got from your mother as an artist?

She only tells me to be true to myself.

What would you advise aspiring artists?

It’s the best thing to be. You’d better believe in you. In everything you’ve got to be optimistic.

Something you’d like to try as an artist but haven’t? What would you consider your most ambitious project yet?

I’d love to learn how to make films. Of course, one needs a good script and the opportunity to do so.