Making Art with a Purpose

“Art can make the world a better place for all the other people who's experiencing chaos inside their heads.”

Something about the brush strokes staining a blank canvas with different hues can bring excitement to one’s heart – a form of escape, of healing, whatever that is, art is always there to bring comfort. To some, making art might just be a hobby, but to others, making art can also be a way to gain profit, and gain happiness amidst the troubles from real life.

Khaila Mae Faustor, a second-year BS Architecture student in PUP had always been drawn to art since she was young, and as she brings her artworks to life through making portraits, she finds healing and rest in bringing colors to paper. To her, art isn’t just a pastime, but her rabbit hole to a world full of her imagination, her own bubble where she can freely do whatever she wants.

“Art is more than just my hobby—it's an escape, a way to express myself, a passion fueled with purpose. At para po sa akin, if you keep going with purpose, you'll achieve more.”

Art is something with a purpose, and for Khaila, her purpose in doing art is to use her passion to be able to make artworks that can inspire people, “Sa tingin ko po ang purpose ko for doing art is to be able to inspire other people to chase their passion as well, and also para gamitin po ang ipinagkaloob sa akin na talento at kaalaman para ibahagi po sa iba at makapaglingkod sa iba.” Not only that, but she also made great use of her passion as she started accepting commissions for art projects, something that she’d been familiar with at an early age.

“Noong bata po ako, some of my teachers and my parent's friends used to ask me to draw something in exchange for a small amount of money, then noong natuto na po ako gumamit ng iba't ibang medium at natutong mag-portrait and magpainting, I decided to open my art commissions. Sa ngayon po, lalo na ngayong may online class, kadalasan ng mga pinapagawa sa'kin is art projects po. Sinubukan ko rin pong mag-explore at magbenta ng hand-painted tote bags. Kapag po may free time ako tumatanggap ako ng portraits and other paintings,” Faustor said.

Despite the struggles she faces as she enters college given an unfamiliar setup, she overcomes these as she seeks support and motivation from the people around her. “Mahirap pong isabay 'yung plates, household chores, online meetings, and other responsibilities all at once especially that we have to stay at home. Struggle para sa mental health, pero kinakaya naman po with the support and motivation of the people around me.”

Khaila is mostly known for her watercolor artworks, having mentioned that this is her favorite medium to work with. Even if it was rather hard to control, it was her go-to medium for her masterpieces. Prior to this, she first worked with oil pastels for her artworks, with this medium being her ‘first love’. She also wants to explore ballpoint pen artworks.

Like most artistic people, Khaila also had times when she doubted herself and her career choice. Afterall, art isn’t really the smoothest path one would walk on. There were times when she seemed to lose her spark, but for her passion with a flame never to be extinguished, she strived to continue. Realizing that having skills is just a bonus asset, she continued her path, may it be easier in the future or not.

“I realized that as long as masaya ka sa ginagawa mo, hindi na mahalaga kung magaling ka roon o hindi. I have read a quote that says, "Skills are cheap but passion is priceless." At iyon 'yung pinanghahawakan ko hanggang ngayon.”

Driven by her inspirations, Faustor has a happy art journey as she seeks motivation from the many artists she had interacted with before. Her being accepted to BS Architecture helped a lot in boosting her motivation to continue, and in her freshman year, she learned a lot about her course, and a lot of things that helped her in the process of learning.

“As an architecture student, I'm glad that I'm able to explore art further in terms of designing buildings and learn the role of art in the built environment. One of the most memorable experiences ko po dito sa PUP is when I got accepted as a freshman. Maraming ups and downs pero higit sa lahat marami po akong natutunan. I learned to persevere, to manage my time wisely, to beat procrastination, to give my best in every plate.”

To the students who wish to open their own commissions and gain profit from their artwork, Khaila has a word of advice, “Huwag silang matakot na humingi ng advice sa fellow artists because the things you’ll learn from them will make you grow. They also should keep in mind that their art is worthy, kasi oras, pagod at talento mo 'yung nilalaan mo para sa isang artwork, kaya huwag silang matakot na magtaas ng rates.”

Check her works out in her Instagram page @artsykhailyy.