Local homeware brand Casa Juan MNL commissioned me to illustrate and design the “Ibon” collection. As with our previous project (see “Bulaklak” collection), Casa Juan’s Ms. Michelle Fontelera gave me total freedom to come up with a list of Philippine endemic birds to showcase. Because of how well their colors work well together in a set, I ended up choosing the Cinnamon Ibon (Hypocryptadius cinnamomeus), Red-eared Parrotfinch (Erythrura coloria), Blue-headed Fantail (Rhipidura cyaniceps), Palawan Flowerpecker (Prionochilus plateni).

For a natural and accurate depiction, I consulted bird expert Ms. Trinket Constantino of ADMU’s Department of Biology and member of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines regarding Philippine native trees that the featured birds normally perch on. She identified some and provided me with a short list which I then chose from and made artistic interpretations of alongside their “partner” bird species. (Please check out her and Ms. Abby Favis’ wonderful campus biodiversity documentation project, The Ateneo Wild!)

The collection is available in sets consisting of salad plates featuring the four bird-and-tree pairings, and a dinner plate decked with elements of the native trees.

* I post most frequently on Instagram, so for a sneak peek at the latest projects (that might take a while to land here), feel free to follow along there! 😉