Hello, my name is Primavera Dequito. I'm 43 years old and currently "in-between contracts", fancy name for "unemployed" but my friend likes to call it "semi-retired" and I'm down with it, so far. It is not the best time of my life (hence the hesitation to submit my story, my apologies) because I've been quite active as a Developmental Aid worker for the past 18 years until the company decided to downsize. For the past 10 months I've been trying to land a job but skills-wise and age factor limited my options. I also cannot relocate because I am caring for my 67 years old mother who has liver cirrhosis and suffering from diabetes complications.
I've been self-sufficient so far selling my artworks. I am not an artist but I've taught myself how to paint as a hobby. I specialize in painting freeform/freestyle Mandala using acrylic paint on canvas. My Mandala artworks has kept my life "centred" and my thoughts grounded amidst the trials I'm facing today so I'm encouraging art enthusiasts and those seeking emotional release through non-verbal outlet to discover therapeutic art. I'm also into pen art or "doodling" on Medium Density Fibreboard and on thick black paper to keep it fresh and for variety.
I have sold my artworks to friends and former office colleagues and acquaintances. I have conducted several workshops on Basic Mandala Art here in Davao City, Philippines and was featured on a local daily last year: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/lifestyle/2017/09/26/daye-and-her-visual-delights-566056
Landing a job or not, my plans for this year includes organizing more workshops and getting my previous artworks printed on a calendar or sold digitally. My mind is a blank slate so far on how to get it started because of other pressing priorities from the Domestic front, but the Passion is there, and I believe it should be included as the 5th "P" in the Four Ps of Marketing.
