From a sheet of plain white, a head-covered baby with its mouth slightly open stares back at you, as does a pretty little girl with short hair. There’s a strangely alluring twinkle in their eyes, a signature feature of Filipino artist Eugene Espinosa’s charming charcoal work.
In the mild buzz of a running stream of visitors at the Souq Waqif Art Centre, Espinosa sits among a long line of artists and immerses himself into the next charcoal portrait that he’s bringing to life, stroke by stroke. “I hadn’t done charcoal work in the past decade or so. I am used to working mostly with oil paint and pastel,” he tells Community, as he opts for a quick break. “I usually make caricatures and paintings; especially massive murals in churches that I used to work on back in the Philippines.”
However, in Qatar, the demand for charcoal art has dictated Espinosa’s creative focus. “I love making charcoal drawings. The beauty lies in its simplicity and classiness. Qataris love charcoal art. I figure that for Qataris, it is reminiscent of old pictures. Although I convince them to try colour drawings and paintings, they seem to prefer these,” he says.
A professional visual artist, Espinosa has worked as a graphic designer in Dubai for seven years before briefly moving to Saudi Arabia and then returning to the Philippines, and finally moving to Qatar a year ago. “My work here in Doha is that of graphic design, which is great but a little away from my passion for art. That is also why I love coming to Souq Waqif and getting to draw and paint to my heart’s content,” he says.
Espinosa is grateful for the opportunity he has been given to showcase his art to the people of Qatar and also the tourists. “What is really special about Qatar is that the people here love art and the government sincerely supports them. Here in Souq Waqif Art Centre, they have given us space, exposure, a support system, and anything else that can help the artists flourish. As for me, some of my works get sold. On an occasion or two, I have got the chance to work on some projects outside because of this exposure,” Espinosa says.
Clearly, giving voice to culture is the artistic focus here in Qatar. “Most of my previous work was based on European and Asian elements. But I have adapted my art to create iconic places and motifs integral to Qatar. It was challenging for me because I am used to painting landscapes. Here, I had to change my metier and focus on Qatari culture, old houses, traditional markets, or elements of human interest. Working in this Art Centre has helped me learn a lot about the local culture and spirit and also learn to value their ideas and perspectives,” he says.
It’s obviously not easy for Espinosa to dabble with his work and art, given that his day begins at 7am and the drive back home from work happens only past 6pm. “After that, I come here and draw from 7pm to 11 pm,” he says, smiling to himself. “It’s very relaxing. I find some peace and quiet by working on these portraits. I do realise that barely six hours of daily sleep is not healthy. I’m trying to organise my life better.”
And then there are visitors who, of course, pop by to ask questions. “I don’t mind that. Some kids come with their mothers and ask me for drawing and painting tips and on-the-spot lessons,” he says, laughing. “I started drawing when I was seven. I try to convince parents and their kids to love what they want to do. Sometimes, we will fail and we won’t be satisfied with our work. But you just need to continue drawing day in, day out. You need to do until you find the best within you.”
Espinosa’s happiness is often steeped in some of the emotional reactions of his customers. “Be it tourists from Saudi Arabia or European expats, when I hand them their portrait, they usually break into a wide smile. That smile is priceless,” he says. “Sometimes, when I give them their portraits or portraits of their parents or grandparents, they cry or express deep, honest emotions, as they remember their loved ones. To be part of that joy feels amazing.”