Two artists from different provinces come together to share their journeys, inspirations, and personal stories through watercolor art in “Bagong Sal’ta,” an art exhibition featuring George Rosales and Rye Tipay at The Podium Boutique Hotel in Baguio City.
Running from October 10 to November 10, 2026, the exhibition explores how places, people, and experiences shape an artist’s visual language.
According to the artists, the title “Bagong Sal’ta” is a play on the Filipino expressions bagong salta, meaning newcomer, and bagong salita, meaning new words or language.
Children’s book illustrator and artist George Rosales, who hails from Isabela, and plein-air artist Rye Tipay, originally from Aurora, have both found their way to Baguio, bringing distinct artistic perspectives shaped by their experiences, surroundings, and personal journeys.
George shared that storytelling has always been central to his artistic practice. His works explore childhood play, nostalgia, folklore, and social questions.
Teaching art to children has been an integral part of his ever-growing creative journey.
“Lagi kong sinasabi na ang art teaching ay ang aking paraan para magheal ng inner child,” he shared. Lagi kong inilalagay yung sarili ko sa kanila na parang tinuturuan ko yung sarili ko sa proseso ng art.
He also added that he draws inspiration from his girlfriend, “Liway.” He shared, “At syempre yung mga taong mahal ko lalo na si Liway. Gusto ko ring magkwento di lamang tungkol sa akin kundi tungkol din sa mga anong pakiramdam ng taong mahal ko.”
George fondly shared, “Siguro pasasalamatan ko siya dahil siya ang unang nangarap. Pasasalamat sa hindi pagsuko. Gusto ko rin siyang i-congratulate dahil pareho naming di ineexpect na kung saang lupalop na ng mundo napunta yung art namin. Pasasalamat rin pala sa mga experiences namin na kahit mahirap, naniwala kami. At paghingi ng tawad. Kasi may mga pangarap pa siyang di ko pa nagagawa.”
He considers watercolor a medium with a life of its own. Rather than controlling every stroke, he allows the water and pigments to create unexpected marks, reflecting his personality and artistic approach.
Meanwhile, Rye draws inspiration from everyday scenes and places that hold significance within communities.
Working primarily in “en plein air” or also known as outdoor painting, with a loose impressionistic approach, he captures familiar spaces that people often pass without noticing.
For Rye, painting on location also opens opportunities for conversations with people in the community, allowing him to better understand the stories behind these places.
His works also reflect his interest in social, environmental, and political issues, using art as a means of expressing perspectives that may not always reach mainstream audiences.
Both artists appreciate watercolor’s spontaneity and unpredictability, embracing the unexpected results that emerge during the creative process. Rye shared about his experience in outdoor painting, “Yung happy accidents sa strokes saka pag iwas at saka pag-iwas sa overthinking habang nagpipinta eh nakakatulong din personally para kumalma, mabagal at ipaubaya sa tubig at kulay ang kalalabasan. At saka nakakaenjoy ang kwentuhan onsite kasi mabubuo ang kwento ng lugar kapag kasama ang community sa pagobserba ng common areas.” He firmly shares that community drives much inspiration to his works as well.
Reflecting on what they would tell their younger selves, George expressed gratitude for having the courage to dream and persevere despite difficulties.
Rye, meanwhile, wished he had started sharing his art sooner, emphasizing the importance of finding one’s voice regardless of limited resources or connections.
Through the Bagong Sal’ta art exhibition, the artists invite viewers to look beyond the paintings and discover the stories, memories, and communities that shaped them.
The exhibition is ongoing at The Podium Boutique Hotel, Baguio City, from October 10 to November 10, 2026, with Art Heals and Hōka Brew featured among the exhibition partners.
