In that of the bustling streets of France, resides a Filipina artist whose brush strokes reflected that of her Sorsoganon roots. Meet Emerenciana “Meren” Floranda, a Filipina artist based in France.
Floranda’s affinity for art blossomed in her youth, nurtured by her Sorsoganon upbringing. Despite early dabblings in school competitions, the demands of life led her to set her brushes aside.
However, fate, in the guise of relocation to France in 2005, gently nudged her back to where she really belongs.
With her children most of the time busy in school, Floranda found solace in sketching once more—a seemingly simple act of boredom reignited a dormant flame within her that later on re-evolved into that of her long lost passion for art.
What started as a remedy for her newfound free time, in that of depths of their basement, soon blossomed into a profound means of self-expression. In 2009, encouraged by her supportive husband and mother-in-law, Floranda enrolled for a 3-month course at the École Nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts, a prestigious art school in Paris.
It is within the corridors of said institution that Floranda honed her craft, one stroke at a time. From there, her art matured—it became a window to who she really was, a canvas where she could bare her soul.
Known as a spontaneous artist, Floranda captures fleeting moments on the streets of Paris, immortalizing their essence with each of her brushstrokes. Furthermore, in times where nostalgia tugs at her heartstrings, she sets up her canvas and breathes life into memories of her hometown.
As Floranda’s collection grew, so too did recognition for her talent. Time flew by, and her craft later left the confines of her basement. Her exhibitions garnered praise, commissions poured in, and she even won 1st place in an art competition organized by their local tourism office back in 2014—affirming that of her well-deserved place in the artistic landscape.
Yet, amidst accolades, Floranda remained grounded, advocating for aspiring artists to push boundaries and embrace continuous growth. She believes that true artistic fulfillment lies not in resting on one’s laurels, but in constantly evolving and refining one’s craft.
As of writing, Floranda persists in her creative endeavors within her studio in France. Looking forward, with a heart tethered to her Sorsoganon roots, she dreams of bringing her creations back to the land that birthed her craft.
Art is art—free and limitless, a realm that knows no bounds. And Floranda, she is art personified—a muse of boundless creativity, breathing life into her canvases with each stroke of her brush. | Samantha Totanes, Kian Kirby F. Florano