The ad man has gone back to his roots. Double entendre intended. On his birthday last April 15, erstwhile art director and Bozell Philippines co-founder Rudy San Pedro returned to his first love of painting with his first solo exhibit since retirement in 2002.
“All of these are from my garden,” San Pedro pointed to the canvases, a vivid profusion of lush palms and bamboo, leafy san francisco, and blooming bromeliad, lilies and daisies. Having recently discovered plants and gardening, painting was the natural expression for the newfound passion. “I paint with the actual plants because it is important to have the right dimensions for accuracy,” he continued.
Art has been a constant in San Pedro’s life. Art-related odd jobs — from comic book illustration to painting movie billboards and even designing packaging for preserved fruit – put him through Fine Arts at the University of Santo Tomas. Serious in his chosen craft, he immersed himself in painting, sculpture, illustration and other media, often winning competitions and joining solo and group exhibitions.
From the 1970s, San Pedro joined a string of agencies including McCann, Publicis, and FCB. Eventually, he co-founded Bozell Philippines and served as executive vice president. He received several local and international awards for his TVCs and packaging work.
With the first exhibit still fresh, San Pedro is already at work on another by yearend. “After the second exhibit, I’ll sit down and work on publishing the works in a book,” he revealed. Asked of his retirement, he replied without hesitation, “To give new graduates the chance to show what they have.” Spoken with the nurturing of a gardener and the tranquility of an artist.
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