Danvic Briones: One art in different forms

Danvic Briones’ art might be seen on a canvas.

There are times that it appeared on a television screen or on a performing stage.

Sometimes, it is on marketing collaterals like posters, flyers, or tickets.

At one point, it was even turned into survival equipment that can be easily grabbed when an emergency situation occurred.

These outcomes may be different from one another but they are all the product of his ever-changing passion for art.

Seed of his art career

Danvic Briones is a painter, entrepreneur, innovator, and a long-time graphic artist who is now based in British Columbia, Canada. 

His works that have now attracted attention in different parts of the world began with him trying to draw an elephant at the age of six — it was an image that he attempted to memorize and eventually succeeded to draw. 

It was Danvic’s will to dive deep into the arts; he was the only one in his family who became a visual artist. His family owned a garment manufacturing company run by his dad who was also vice-president at another manufacturing company. His mom, on the other hand, worked in the Department of Tourism, and she sews curtains on the side.

“Actually, medyo naalala ko pa nga ‘yung itsura niya [elephant] hanggang ngayon eh. Basically, doon nagsimula [‘yung interest ko sa art]. Walang nagsabi sa’kin [mag-drawing], sariling initiative lang lahat ‘yon (Actually, I can still quite recall what it looked like until now. Basically, that was how my interest in art started. No one told me to draw; that was all my own initiative).”

He continued sketching as he grew up, leading him to become the representative of their school to art competitions in Pampanga back in high school.

At that time, oil pastel was the most popular art material used and the medium that Danvic first learned.

“Madaling gamitin; wala masyadong hassle. Wala masyadong maraming materials that you need, and oil pastels can be used in paper and canvas (It was easy to use; it was not much of a hassle. You won’t need a lot of materials, and oil pastels can be used in paper and canvas).” 

His art skills further developed as he took art classes during summer. This led him to be accepted as a painting major at the prestigious University of the Philippines (UP) College of Fine Arts.

Studying painting in college was not the original plan that Danvic had for himself; it was Computer Science which he really liked, but which was then a ‘quota course’ where only a few number of students are accepted. Things did not go as planned but Danvic had the chance to take a talent determination test which was his key to getting into the College of Fine Arts.

As a painting major, he was exposed to different art media including watercolor and oil, and even to printmaking that made him interested in carving.

Danvic’s art went through various media, including oil, pastel, watercolour, and acrylic until, with the advent of computers, he was able to translate it to digital art.

Art as graphic design

Although he worked as a part-time graphic artist when he was still a student, Danvic’s first full-time job after graduation was not related to art. He worked with one of the largest broadcasting networks in the Philippines, ABS-CBN, as someone who coordinated training with off-camera staff such as production designers and directors. He later found another position in the same company, that is, doing graphic design for the network’s television programs. 

“‘Yung mga nakikita mong graphics when you watch [television], tapos merong mga design sa ilalim at taas. Chargen ang tawag nila; character generation. So ayun ‘yung ginagawa ko non (Those graphics you see when you watch television, then there were designs on top and below the screen. They call it chargen; character generation. That was what I did there).”

It was actually his goal to establish his own design studio, which he successfully did twice in his career.

While working in ABS-CBN, Danvic built up his base clientele and started widening his network. He decided to leave the company two years later and joined a small design studio located in Ortigas. It was an opportunity for him to enhance his graphic design skills as well as to learn more about running a design studio. 

“To have your own business you have to know everything kasi kung nagtra-trabaho ka sa isang mainstream ad agency, very… masyadong specialized ‘yung trabaho (To have your own business you have to know everything because if you are working in a mainstream ad agency, your job is very specialized).”

Six months later, learning the ins and outs of the business, Danvic finally put up a design studio which he called Brio Design Factory in 1997. His first client at that time was from his network at ABS-CBN. Under Brio, Danvic would look for accounts and he went out of town, doing stage design and designed marketing collaterals like posters, flyers, and show tickets.

Describing his everyday life in his design studio, Danvic said, “Kumbaga na-continue lang ‘yung trabaho ko sa ABS-CBN pero iba ang bayad at iba ang nagbabayad (In other words, my work in ABS-CBN continued but the pay is different and I get paid by different entities).”

Brio Design Factory lasted for two years but Danvic went to the United States for an exhibit. He returned in 2002, continuing his graphic design career and established Left Hand Graphics. 

Danvic juggled two jobs when he returned: he ran his business and taught at a school. He was offered the position of lecturer at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), teaching graphic designing and desktop publishing. While working at the school, he slowly built-up Left Hand Graphics which had an actual physical office and staff.

“It complemented my teaching kasi I’m doing actual work and then teaching. That time, uso na ‘yung design process outsourcing (It complemented my teaching because I’m doing actual work and then teaching. That time, design process outsourcing was a trend).”

“So ang ginawa ko, Istarted a design process outsourcing firm. I designed a lot of logos from the States. Meron kasi akong brother-in-law na siya ‘yung bahalang mag-market sa U.S. Ayun ‘yung bread and butter ko n’on (So what I did was establish a design process outsourcing business. I designed a lot of logos from the States. I have a brother-in-law who was in charge of marketing in the U.S. That was my bread and butter that time).”

He stopped teaching in 2010 and ventured into industrial design, transforming his art into a handy equipment during times of emergency.

Art as emergency preparedness equipment

The Philippines has faced strong typhoons that caused massive rainfalls and spawned huge floods. One of the most unforgettable natural disasters to hit the country was Typhoon Ondoy. 

Since he was into outdoor activities, part of Danvic’s training was to be ready for disasters. He had a backpack containing an emergency kit with food, extra clothes, candles, lighter, multi-tools and first aid that he can easily grab. When Typhoon Ondoy happened, he realized his backpack would not help him or his family survive floods.

“Aanhin ko naman yung backpack na ‘yon kung malulunod ako? Na in five minutes nandon na ‘yung tubig? Kasi ganon ‘yung nangyari nung Ondoy, so napaka-useless ng preparation ko. (How will that backpack serve me if I drown? If in five minutes the flood is already there? Because that was what happened during Ondoy, so my preparation was useless).”

After the typhoon, Danvic said he looked for a vest that has pockets where he can put his 72- hour emergency kit, but he did not find one. This prompted him to design his own vest. Danvic made it “very modular” wherein pockets can be removed if a person wanted to use the vest for outdoor activities like yachting and boating.

“Ginawa ko ‘yon for the family pero nakita ng isang kaibigan ko na nagtra-trabaho sa World Vision sabi niya, ‘Danvic okay ‘to ha. Ipre-present ko to.’ So pinresent nya. Tapos [sabi niya], ‘Oh, gusto naming umorder ng 150.’ Nagsimula na siyang maging negosyo (I made it for my family but a friend of mine who is working in World Vision saw it and he said, ‘Danvic, this is really useful. I will present it.’ So he presented it and then he told me, ‘We want to order 150 pieces.’ That was when it started to become a business).”

He formally launched Rescue 72 in 2010 after a two-year period of research and development, but Danvic left the Philippines in 2011 for Canada. At first, he was not very keen on migrating to another country. However, the idea of giving their children a brighter future grew in his mind. He thought of it as a new adventure, and this made him change his mind.

“Umalis ako so naiwan ‘yung business. Kumuha ako ng partner pero, siyempre, dahil wala ako doon mahirap mag-trabaho ng long distance (I left the business when I migrated. I looked for a partner but of course, since I was not there, it was hard to manage a long-distance business).”

“Sinubukan ko siyang ituloy, so every now and then umuuwi ako sa Pilipinas to do that pero pagbalik [sa Canada] siyempre nawawala. Ako pa rin ang hinahanap syempre dahil ako ‘yung nagsimula (I tried to still do it so I go back to the Philippines every now and then, but every time I return [to Canada], the business gets off track. They [clients] were always looking for me since I was the one who started it).”

Art in a new environment

Danvic continued to do art in Canada but he found himself no longer in the field of graphic design. He went back to square one and did odd jobs — but his art was always there.

“Mas nag-allot ako ng time as an artist nung paglipat ko sa Canada. Kahit na nagtra-trabaho ako, I make sure na I do at least two exhibits a year and I make sure na I do at least 10 paintings. Nung pagpunta ko dito, ayon ‘yung tinarget ko (I allotted more time as an artist when I moved to Canada. Despite my jobs, I make sure that I do at least two exhibits a year and I make sure that I do at least 10 paintings. When I came here, that became my target).”

Aside from painting, he loved the Canadian outdoors. He found Canada is beautiful, and he had easy access to outdoor activities such as hiking, snowshoeing, swimming, and dragon boating, among others.

“Canada is really — well, Vancouver, in particular sa British Columbia — blessed siya with nature. Basically, katabi mo ‘yung mga bundok, katabi mo ‘yung mga dagat, katabi mo ‘yung lake (Canada is really — well, Vancouver, particularly in British Columbia — blessed with natural beauty. Basically, you are near mountains, the sea, and lakes).”

Canada’s great medical benefits is also a plus and it was one less thing for him to worry about.

However, Danvic also went through challenges like other immigrants, including adjusting from a fast-paced environment into one with a sleepy town vibe. It was also difficult to have no relatives or friends.

“Sa Pilipinas kasi mabilis ang buhay, I mean, very fast-paced. Gusto ko ng fast-paced. Dito kung saan kami nakatira, I’m talking in terms of saan ako nakatira kasi I think other parts ng Canada like Toronto is like New York, mabilis, pero dito very slow (Life in the Philippines moves fast, I mean, it was very fast-paced. I wanted a fast-paced environment. In the place where we live, I’m talking in terms of where we live because I think other parts of Canada like Toronto is like New York that is fast-paced; it is really very slow here).”

Despite this, he slowly got into the groove of things and came to appreciate the slow pace and the ability to just relax, which he was never able to do in Manila.

Filipino touch in his works

He made several adjustments in his new home country – in his personal and professional life, and his way of thinking – but Danvic maintained his roots and heritage. He felt he was still in Manila with the many Filipino stores and Filipino organizations, but it was his art that paid homage to home. Danvic and other Filipino-Canadian artists would organize exhibits every two years, and because he was with fellow Filipinos, there was always a touch of home in his art and with the art of the other artists.

His current job as a young adult settlement counselor also allows him to help new immigrants – mostly Filipinos from age 17 to 24 – to adjust in Canada.

“Ang Canada, mayroon siyang programa sa mga bagong immigrants. Ito ‘yung support na nakukuha nila kasi nga it’s a total different culture so we provide service in terms of how you integrate, how you assimilate, of course, maraming feeling isolated d’yan (Canada has a program for new immigrants. They provide this support because Canada has a totally different culture. We help them integrate, assimilate, because of course, many feel isolated when coming here).”

“Kami ‘yung tumutulong sa kanila on how they could navigate doon sa new life nila sa Canada (We are the ones who help them to navigate their new life in Canada).”

It is the same with his paintings. No matter what subject he draws, Danvic always has a Filipino element in it. In 2019, he was invited to an art exhibit called How Green Is Your Muse (HGIYM) where he featured nature and the things he missed most about the Philippines. He made three paintings he titled Nature Climb, Wind Garden, and Backboard Backyard. 

Not only did these artworks represent the environment and his memories in the Philippines, but it also had touches of his present-day life, an integration of some sorts. These three artworks had a maple tree or maple leaves, and this has become Danvic’s signature.

“Ang parati kasing topic ng mga works ko is mine-merge ko ‘yung memory ko sa present. ‘Yung idea na kapag naglalakad ka sa isang lugar parati mong kinokonekta ‘yung memory mo doon. For example, naglalakad ako sa isang street sa Canada, ‘Uy parang Quezon City ‘to ha’ (The usual topics of my works is the merging of my memories with the present. That idea when you are walking in a place and then you somehow connect your memory there. For example, I was walking in a street in Canada, then I would realize, ‘This looks like Quezon City’).”

“Kumbaga kung sino ka ngayon, ay dahil ganon ka noon. Siyempre ‘yung training na nakuha ko, ‘yung nurturing na nakuha ko, ‘yung kultura, lahat, kaya ako ganito. Hindi ko pa rin kinakalimutan kung sino ako noon (In other words, whoever you are right now was because of who you used to be. All those training and nurturing that you got, the culture — everything —  that is why you became the person you are today. I don’t want to forget who I was before).”

Art as a therapy

Apart from his work as a settlement counselor, he is also an expressive art therapist and he uses art as a therapy for mental wellness.

In expressive art therapy, Danvic uses different modalities. He combines painting with poetry, gestures, or sounds. He said one does not necessarily have to be good in visual arts or performing arts for this therapy; they just need to express, loosen up, and sometimes reboot themselves.

“Expressive arts therapy is basically helping them to be in that present moment kasi karamihan ng worries natin is fear of the future and regrets of the past(Expressive arts therapy is basically helping them to be in that present moment because most of our worries are because of fear of the future and regrets of the past). To have that mental state you have to just be in that present moment first.”

Sometimes, Danvic uses this training in his work as settlement counselor. 

“Nagagamit ko siya on how I could encourage people to communicate at saka para ma-alleviate kung ano man ‘yung stressor nila (I use it in a way to encourage people to communicate and to alleviate whatever stressors they have).” 

“Ginagamit ko ‘yung art on how to release anxiety or minsan kailangan lang mag-relax(I use the arts to release anxiety [people are holding in] or sometimes, they just need to relax).”

Before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic happened, his goal was to establish expressive arts therapy as a course and a career in the Philippines. He went back to Manila in 2019 to introduce it at DLS-CSB “for self-care and ideation for different ways of thinking ideas.” He was supposed to go back to the Philippines in 2020 to build an expressive arts therapy curriculum at the school but it did not happen due to COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, Danvic said he will still push through with this plan after the pandemic.

While he awaits for the COVID-19 restrictions to lift, Danvic worked on re-establishing Rescue 72, the emergency preparedness equipment he launched 10 years ago. Danvic and his partners in the U.S. officially launched R72 in July 2020.

At the same time, he is also in early talks with the Philippine government on how he and his Philippine partners can supply emergency preparedness gear and disaster response services to various local government units.

“Para siyang consultancy in a way na we’re the ones who will be doing all the research and development(It is like a consultancy in a way that we are the ones who will be doing all the research and development). We’ll be the ones who will also try to build information dissemination.”

Danvic will continue to participate in art exhibits and is working on a new medium which combined his techniques.

From a simple dinosaur sketch drawn by a six-year-old boy to a prestigious art school where he expressed his art in bigger canvas, to the world graphic design, and developing an innovative equipment to help people during disasters, and then taking a step forward to use art as a therapy for mental wellness – Danvic moves forward and will continue to do so. His home, his memory, his art, his family, his love of nature and of learning will always be the wind that will propel him to the future…