Fil-Am painter donates mural to orphanage

A Filipino-American painter has donated a 28-foot mural, which aims to inspire less fortunate Filipino children, to an orphanage in Mandaluyong City.

Nichole Blackburn, 28, chose the Nayon ng Kabataan at the Welfareville Compound in Mandaluyong as the “perfect” beneficiary for her mural.

She is the owner and creative director of the Celadon Studio and Fine Arts, based in Los Angeles, California, a fine art company that specializes in decorative painting and custom mural work worldwide.

She was born to a Filipino mother and American father. She has a twin sister.

Established in 1968, Nayon ng Kabataan is home for 156 children aged seven to 17. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is running it.

The mural depicts children and adults playing games, festivities and dancing, with a beautiful blue sky in the background.

“This was my labor of love to my heritage, of which I am proud of,” Blackburn told a small group of journalists as she did the final brush strokes of her masterpiece yesterday.

Blackburn said she started doing the mural last Nov. 13 and expects to finish today.

DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral will lead the unveiling of the mural today.

“When I first started envisioning my mural for the Philippines I felt excited, apprehensive and thrilled, all at the same time,” Blackburn said.

“With all these emotions stirring inside me, I knew one thing for sure – I wanted to truly make this mural an inspirational piece, not just for the children of Nayon ng Kabataan but also for my family,” she added.

Blackburn said the children danced while she worked and were able to participate in painting the mural.

“I asked them what they want then I included them in my painting,” Blackburn said. “I have to say that the love I received in return from the children and staff at Nayon ng Kabataan has been ten-fold.”   – Helen Flores