For Rica Rosario Ong, painting has become more than a creative pursuit; it is a way of slowing down, observing the world and finding beauty in light, color and atmosphere. 

Rica Rosario Ong’s work predominantly reflects an impressionistic approach, emphasizing light and color over precise forms. PHOTO FROM LANDER BLANZA

Over the past four years, she has immersed herself in the local art community, joined group exhibitions and continued to develop a style shaped by impressionism and her admiration for the masters of the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

Ong, a semi-retired chief financial officer, regularly attends painting classes at Sunshine Place in Jupiter, Makati, where she is also a member of the Sunshine Place Artists Group. A close friend and Sunshine Place alumna first introduced her to the creative hub, sparking her interest in further developing her artistic skills.

Her experience with the group has become an important part of her artistic journey. Surrounded by fellow artists, Ong has found a supportive environment where she can exchange ideas, observe different techniques and learn from the creative processes of her peers. Each class gives her an opportunity to experiment with styles and methods while deepening her appreciation for the community that surrounds her.

Ong’s work predominantly reflects an impressionistic approach, emphasizing light and color over precise forms. In some pieces, however, she adopts a more realistic style, allowing her to explore different ways of translating what she sees onto the canvas.

Her artistic influences reach back to the Renaissance and Baroque periods, particularly their dramatic use of light and shadow, strong color contrasts and dark backgrounds. These elements inform how she creates mood, depth and emotional resonance in her own work.

Through her use of color, light and atmospheric composition, Ong seeks to create scenes that offer viewers a sense of calm and invite them to pause and reflect. For her, painting is not simply about reproducing what is visible but about conveying the feeling and atmosphere of a moment.

The late Filipino artist Charito Bitanga has also played a significant role in shaping Ong’s artistic perspective. Bitanga believed that painting should be created step by step, with movement expressed through lines and color. Her belief that “abstract is the highest form of art” has also resonated with Ong, reinforcing her view that art extends beyond what is immediately visible to encompass movement, emotion, interpretation and freedom of expression.

Ong’s involvement in the arts has extended beyond her own practice. She served on the Board of Directors of the Art Association of the Philippines for three consecutive years, from 2023 to 2025, participating in initiatives aimed at promoting the arts in the Philippines.

She eventually decided to step down after considering the demands of her personal commitments and recognizing the difficulty of balancing her responsibilities. For Ong, making room for others to serve is also a way of encouraging new perspectives and giving new members the opportunity to contribute to the organization.

In the past four years, Ong has participated in various group exhibitions. She finds greater fulfillment in collective shows than in presenting her work alone, largely because of the camaraderie they foster among artists.

The diversity of group exhibitions also continues to challenge and inspire her. Seeing how fellow artists interpret their subjects encourages Ong to keep exploring her own artistic voice. While she values the collaborative nature of group shows, she is also beginning to consider taking on the challenge of a solo exhibition.

For now, she remains focused on learning. Ong sees art as a lifelong journey of discovery and personal growth, one that leaves room to improve, experiment with new techniques and develop a style that reflects one’s identity.

That willingness to keep learning informs her advice to emerging artists. She encourages them to travel as much as possible, whether within their own communities or to distant places, and to observe the people, cultures, colors and experiences around them.