Juan Macias
ATOA 3 Original Artwork:
“Tides of Four Shores”, Acrylic on canvas, 2025
A limited edition art print of this artwork is available for purchase in our online store.
About artwork:
The artwork is an unfamiliar endeavor for the artist, as he has yet to venture into landscape painting. However, he embraced the challenge and chose to depict the scene in an impressionist style—despite having neither a clear concept nor a reference in mind. This marks his first attempt at painting a seascape, yet he was able to capture the essence of the subject by drawing from the memory of his beloved dog, who passed away in 2024.
Initially, the artist intended to portray two figures — himself and his dog — gazing at the sea. However, considering the emotional weight and complexity of incorporating both subjects, he surrendered the idea and instead chose to focus on the sea and the clouds. The painting is titled "Tides of the Four Shores" because it evokes a variety of distinct emotions when divided into four separate perspectives that viewers can interpret. Rather than perceiving the image as a singular composition, the audience is invited to explore its fragmented perspectives, fostering an appreciation for the often-overlooked and seemingly insignificant details of reality.
Just as the artist’s late dog, to whom this piece is dedicated, taught him to cherish life’s small, unnoticed moments, "Tides of the Four Shores" serves as a reminder for us all to appreciate the tides of our own shores.
Artist Bio
Ronnel John M. Romagos, also known as "Juan Macias," is an emerging artist from Negros Oriental. From an early age, he was drawn to the arts, engaging in drawing, sketching, and watercolor painting during his free time. During the pandemic, he refined these foundational skills and began exploring acrylic painting and mixed media.
In February 2023, he successfully held a solo exhibition of his works at ShelterPH and participated in a group exhibition organized by Tubo and Cebu Art Fair in September 2023 through Myriad Art Visionaries of Dumaguete - Negros Oriental (MAV-DNO), a local art community and collective of art enthusiasts in Dumaguete City. Currently based in Cebu City, he works as a college lecturer while pursuing further studies, yet he dedicates time to painting occasionally, particularly for group exhibitions and during moments of creative leisure.