“I utilized art to communicate my emotions," Mark J. Bambo.
Mark J. Bambao, 30, began painting when he had many questions about himself and God.
“I utilized art to communicate my emotions,” said the student of Ecclesiastical Course, Theology 4, and Masters of Arts in Theology Major in Pastoral Theology at the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay City.
Despite less than a thousand pieces of work, including award-winning ones, he said none from his family, who hails from Gloria town in Oriental Mindoro province, was a painter.
It was only in college at the Southwestern Institute of Business and Technology, while pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, that he began learning to paint.
His passion for it picked up in 2011, and without any formal training, he honed his skills with the help of his artist friends and his participation in local and national contests.
Bambao said he also loves traveling, socializing with people, and photographing beautiful pictures.
“What I often painted was classical, such as ancient portraits of saints. This gives me strength and peace of mind. They are my role models to do good to others.”
After graduating from college in 2014, he proceeded to the Saint Augustine Seminary in Calapan to pursue priesthood as an Associate in Philosophy in 2018 and earned the support of his spiritual directors.
He has made painting a part of his mission and evangelization agenda, which also happens when he participates in contests, even through social media and invitations forwarded by friends.
The commissions that go with his art are a bonus that financially sustains him as well. Before starting to paint, which would take 5 to 8 hours to complete, he would ask the Holy Spirit for guidance so that the result would be beautiful and inspiring.
Painting with God, touching lives
“My will is satisfied whenever I can create an image of Jesus' face, Mother Mary cradling her infant, or the saints who inspire and enhance my faith. Every time I finish a holy artwork, my heart rejoices because it leads to further evangelizing,” Mark J. Bambo.
Bambao said the experience can be magical.
“Many people say that they are touched by my paintings, even simple pictures of saints, as if they are saying something and want to convey something. It's heartwarming that even in this way, my photos help other people's faith,” he said.
He added that he is “first touched by God in his art and he gets surprised and amazed at the results.”
“Another favorite subject is nature—trees, mountains, streams, and other landscapes that provide calm and quiet to my mind. This helps me to settle my mood,” he added.
Bambao said he paints regardless of the materials he uses, as long as there is color on the canvas to express his emotions.
He recalls his early studies of colors, forms, patterns, and lines, all of which he knows have relevance to his life.
“Until I began creating abstract paintings, I saw my life as having an ambiguous significance. Leaving it to God's will, not drawing one's lines and shapes, and not inventing excuses to hide one's genuine sentiments,” said Bambao.
After learning the fundamental painting methods, he began painting religious images.
“My will is satisfied whenever I can create an image of Jesus' face, Mother Mary cradling her infant, or the saints who inspire and enhance my faith. Every time I finish a holy artwork, my heart rejoices because it leads to further evangelizing,” said Bambao.
He added, “I am glad to understand that my goal is more than simply being an artist; I am an artist on a mission with God. This gift for painting teaches me how to pursue the road of goodness. It also exposes me to the larger truth of life.”
Among the challenges he had to overcome was “finding people who could appreciate what he was doing as if they thought it was a simple and low-class job.”
When he first started, he felt unsupported, and no one valued his abilities. He also lacked the materials to be able to paint properly because he lived far away from the city where the art materials were available.
“So, what I did was maximize even simple paints so I could just continue my painting. I didn't stop painting until someone believed in my ability. I accepted art projects from schools and my classmates so I could save up to buy materials,” said Bambao, and soon, his heart for the God-given talent was revived.
He prays for more than just good health and the strength to overcome challenges. “That through the colors of the paint, the people who see the paintings will be more enlightened that God is real and good in our lives.”
During the pandemic in 2020, he painted on used face masks and this was featured on various media platforms on the local and national levels.
Bambao is grateful to God, whom he calls the Great Artist, and to whom he says he “praises the most for using his hands for His love to be seen and experienced, and mysteries unfold in the paintings.
