Jose Guillermo Naval @ ARTINA

Walking about A.Venue on the nite of the 22nd, before meeting my family for dinner at Barrio Fiesta - we happen upon this Artina - a gallery restaurant which is really nicely done. What really drew us though,as we were not looking for a restaurant were the paintings on the wall... in particular, the one of the boy facing the wall - the painting spoke to both Juliana and I.... for different reasons am sure....

It reminded me so much of being punished by my step-father growing up.... i was always sent to face the corner walls... for one reason or another - little did I know it was more because I looked like my DAD so much and he did not want to be reminded... LOLs....

Anyway, we went in and met with the Ms. Geraldine David, the Manager of the place and she was kind and sweet and very accommodating... we had a few questions about the paintings and the painter which she answered graciously... then she contacted the artist, with answers to a few more queries from us.... Now that is service!!! Juliana and I both loved the painting and decided to get it... since she is the GUEST and it is her first time in MANILA, I graciously let her have the painting....

The following day, we went back to pick it up and found Mr Naval, the artist himself, packing the painting for travel. It was such a pleasure to talk with him... get some insight to his ideas and inspirations... and even got to utter a few words in Spanish with him... AM A FAN, now... and am awaiting to take one of his paintings for my Condo wall, too!
ARTINA is on the Ground Floor of A.Venue. The change their art displays every month and starting the 26th of this month they have another big exhibition going on with a few artists, including Mr. Naval's works. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED place to visit -- to dine and admire the artworks. Ms Geraldine David is very pleasant and sweet to talk with.