Baldemor’s charming floral sculptures
Charming Baldemor sculpts an old wooden log into an intricately carved masterpiece.
I have always thought that sculpturing was a man’s world until I met Charming Baldemor, a young lady from Paete, Laguna, the carving capital of the Philippines. As a little girl, she was mesmerized by the work of her sculptor father, Charlie Valdellon Baldemor.
Along with the other members of the Baldemor family (painter Manuel Baldemor is an uncle), creativity was in her blood so it was an easy step for the alumna from St. Paul and the College of St. Benilde to eventually segue from handicrafts, painting, and photography to sculpture.
Always on the lookout for old wood from discarded electric posts, demolished old houses, wagon wheels, fallen tree stumps and driftwood, Charming could already envision at first glance what her finished product would be — whether it was a minaudiére (clutch bag) that would take two to three weeks to complete or a seven-foot log lamp that would take seven to eight months to painstakingly chisel.
The “Charming Masterpieces” collection gives life to feminism through her collection of floral sculptures on repurposed wood — a multi-faceted endeavor not only to create great art but promote female empowerment and sustainable creation. The contrast of soft and delicate flowers on hard wood shows the fine craftsmanship that transforms typical feminine icons like flowers into hardy and majestic sculptures on wood.
During the Zonta’s FilipinaZ bazaar, it was noticeable that Charming’s display booth was filled with curious visitors and interested buyers who were drawn to her unique wooden sculptures. As she enthused, “I’m honored that people appreciate my art. All my pieces are created with purpose and crafted by love. Everything I make is from sustainable timber or upcycled wood as part of my advocacy to save the planet.”
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For more information, contact Charming Baldemor at: charming.baldemor@gmail.com.
