Ruxandra Lucido Velez
ATOA 3 Original Artwork:
“Handle with Care”, Acrylic on canvas, 2025
A limited edition art print of this artwork is available for purchase in our online store.
Artwork Description:
This piece is a tribute to the vibrant yet fragile marine life of Dumaguete, inspired by the images captured by local divers who documented the thriving corals and underwater ecosystem that were at risk due to the previously proposed 174-hectare reclamation project “Smart City”.
Contrary to claims that no marine life existed along the city’s shores, these photographs proved otherwise, revealing an underwater world teeming with life. Moved by this revelation, I sought to translate those images into my art, using glass as a metaphor for the delicate nature of our marine environment. Each glass block encapsulates a scene from our underwater paradise—colorful coral formations, a watchful sea turtle, a tiny seahorse, and schools of fish—all frozen in time, serving as a visual reminder that this beauty must be protected.
This is my first time painting glass, a material that mirrors the fragility of our marine ecosystems. Just as glass can shatter if mishandled, so too can our oceans if we do not tread carefully. Through "Handle with Care," I hope to emphasize the urgency of safeguarding our marine life before it is lost forever.
About artist:
Ruxandra L. Velez is a talented and versatile artist known for her exceptional skills in poster making, editorial cartoons, acrylic painting and other art forms. A consistent champion in poster making contests and a division, regional, and national-level winner in editorial cartooning during her elementary and high school years, Ruxandra’s early success in the arts set the foundation for her creative journey.
Despite her passion for art, Ruxandra put her artistic pursuits on hold during college to focus on her nursing studies. However, her love for creating never waned, and she continued to take on side hustles, including commission paintings, portrait drawings, and large-scale wall murals for shops. These projects allowed her to hone her craft while balancing her academic and professional ambitions.
After passing the Philippine Nurses Licensure Exam, Ruxandra felt the pull to return to her artistic roots. She made her long-awaited comeback by creating a piece for Atoa 3, marking the beginning of her new artistic chapter.
Her journey as an artist is a testament to her resilience and the enduring power of creative expression, and she continues to inspire others with her dynamic approach to art.