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Our featured artist today is Lito Brion Ballaran. For more than two decades, he has worked with oil, acrylic, and pastel, but what truly fuels his passion is watercolor. His paintings, often inspired by scenes from everyday life, reflect a deep advocacy for cultural awareness and tourism through the arts.
Lito Ballaran has worked with oil, acrylic, and pastel, but what truly fuels his passion is watercolor. PHOTOS COURTESY OF LITO BALLARAN
We sat down with Lito to learn more about his journey, inspirations, and what lies ahead.
Can you tell us about your background? Did you come from a family of artists, and what led you to pursue art professionally?
Art has always been a part of my life, thanks to my father. He wasn’t a serious artist — more of a craftsman — but he knew how to draw, and that’s where I inherited my love for creating. My father worked as a tailor and was once a Master Cutter for the legendary Pitoy Moreno. I have vivid memories of him sketching clothes, his pencil moving quickly over paper as if he could already see the final design.
‘Geisha 004’ by Ballaran, watercolor on baohong
Being surrounded by creativity, it felt natural for me to pursue Fine Arts in college. I enrolled in the BS Fine Arts program at Philippine Women’s University (PWU), full of dreams and excitement. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to finish. I had to stop after my second year and start working for an animation company. At the time, even buying art materials was a challenge.
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I spent about 13 or 14 years in animation. It was a different kind of art, and although it kept me connected to the creative world, deep down, I missed painting. After I left animation, I found my way back. I started small, teaching basic drawing and painting to children. Through those early lessons, I slowly reconnected with my first love — painting. It felt like coming home.
Looking back at your career, do you feel fulfilled, or are there still goals you hope to achieve?
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I’m truly content with who I am and what I’ve achieved as an artist. Thank God — it’s a blessing to be where I am now.
Of course, there are still things I’d like to explore, like working with sculpture and metal. But I leave it up to God where He wants to take me next. Time is not always on my side, especially now that I personally care for my father, who is a stroke patient. Still, life must go on.
For artists, there’s really no such thing as retirement. As long as the desire to create is there, you keep creating — and that’s what I intend to do.
How would you describe your art to someone unfamiliar with it?
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My paintings often tell stories about the people I’ve met or places I’ve visited. I find joy in sharing what we have today through art. That’s why most of my works are portraits and landscapes. I also do cityscapes using oil and acrylic, but watercolor is my true favorite. I enjoy playing with brushstrokes — those “pitik pitik” (accidental strokes) are so satisfying and pleasing to the eye.
Do you think an artist must constantly challenge themselves in order to be recognized?
Yes, I believe that. While I often feel content with my work, I always find myself wanting to improve and elevate my technique. I welcome that feeling — it means there’s still room to grow. I’m especially eager to continue refining my skills in watercolor.
In your view, what makes someone an excellent artist?
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An excellent artist is someone who has reached a masterful level, respected and admired by peers, yet remains grounded and approachable to beginners in the field.
Where do you see yourself in the next five years? Are there any upcoming exhibits we should watch out for?
As I continue to grow as an artist, I see myself holding more solo exhibitions, both here and abroad. These shows will give me the chance to share my evolving work with a wider audience, and I’m excited about the possibility of presenting my art on an international stage.
I also have group exhibitions coming up in June and September 2025. These events will allow me to collaborate with fellow artists and connect with different artistic communities. Once the dates and venues are finalized, I’ll be sharing updates with my supporters and collectors.
