WHO AM I

My art is where two currents collide.
On one hand, I am a visual artist depicting delicate
subjects like florals or transforming mundane objects and
scenes into stories. On the other, I am a publishing art
director guided by an eye for composition and trends, for
print and digital audiences.

My reemergence into the art scene in late 2022 marked a
return not only to painting but to a more distilled articulation
of my vision. As it was a complete departure from my
publishing and graphic design, I was both challenged
and stimulated, once again awoken to the beauty of
painting.

“Gold Dust Woman ”

Watercolor/Gouache

12 x 171/4

2024

email: jpendesign@gmail.com

MY CREATIVE JOURNEY

I’m Butchie D. Peña, a visual artist, designer, and art director with over two decades of experience in advertising and publishing. My creative journey has taken me through magazine and book design, where I’ve shaped the visual identity of titles like Metro Society, WhereAt Cebu, and METRO.STYLE. I’ve also had the privilege of designing coffee table books for brands and institutions such as Mondelez Philippines, Via Mare, the Quezon City local government, and BCBP—each one a chance to tell stories through layout, imagery, and thoughtful design.

In 2022, I returned to painting with a renewed sense of purpose, embracing watercolor and gouache as my primary mediums. It was a shift that reawakened my love for visual storytelling, allowing me to explore delicate subjects and emotional depth in a way that felt both fresh and familiar. Since then, I’ve participated in numerous group exhibitions—locally and internationally—including the Urbino in Aquarello festival in Italy. These shows have given me space to grow, collaborate, and share my work with wider audiences.

I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from the University of Santo Tomas and continue to deepen my craft through workshops and digital seminars. I’m also an active member of UWAAP, FAM, and Artistica PH, communities that inspire and challenge me to keep evolving. Whether I’m designing for print or painting for the soul, I remain committed to creating art that speaks with clarity, grace, and heart.

“GoodShine, Bad Shine”

Oil

18" x 24"

1995