I am Erwin Mallari, a watercolor artist born November 3, 1979 in Malabon, Metro Manila. I studied at the University of the East College of Fine Arts from 1997 to 2002. But my path was never simple.
While studying, I worked as a newspaper handler at The Philippine Star. I was a cleanup artist too. Then a propsman at a mall.
I had many jobs. Minilab operator. Graphic designer. Photographer. Proof reader. Senior graphic operator. Each job taught me something. But painting was always my heart. I prefer choosing my own subjects, my own composition, my own timelines.
“I prefer the freedom of selecting my own composition and own timelines.”
Erwin Mallari
I capture Metro Manila with my camera. Sometimes I paint right there on location. Every piece has a personal experience behind it. I like to paint scenes of daily city life. The streets, the people, the ordinary moments that tell real stories. This is what I love to share.
Why does Erwin Mallari paint daily life scenes?
Because he wants to capture real moments. He goes to locations and paints what he sees. Every piece comes from his own experience.
What jobs did Erwin have before becoming an artist?
He worked as a newspaper handler, cleanup artist, propsman, minilab operator, graphic designer, photographer, proof reader, and senior graphic operator.
Where did Erwin Mallari study?
He studied at the University of the East College of Fine Arts in Caloocan from 1997 to 2002 while working various jobs to support himself.
Erwin worked at The Philippine Star as a newspaper handler in 2000 while still a student. He was a free section student, meaning he worked to pay for his education.
