Celso Pepito's On-the-Spot Tree Sketches (2015-2022)

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Pensteps in Florida, 8.5"x 11", 2017

Celso Duazo Pepito, a celebrated Cebuano visual artist, frequently documents his life and travels through short, on-the-spot sketches. While he is primarily known for his modernist cubist paintings that depict faith, family, and nationalism, his spontaneous pen, pencil, and sketch pad drawings capture scenes from his real-time environments.

Pepito views sketching as a personal testament to his journeys. He carries a sketch pad everywhere, capturing landscapes, architectural details, and natural scenes—including trees, foliage, and landmarks—within 5 to 30 minutes. He has exhibited his rapid on-the-spot travel drawings from international journeys across Peru, the United States, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Indonesia, China and Singapore. 

Alongside his wife, Fe Pepito, he frequently engages in live on-the-spot sessions, often drawing inspiration from scenic provincial locations such as private compounds overlooking Cebu.

While his raw sketches capture natural forms directly from observation, trees transitioning into his formal artwork carry distinct symbolism. Coco tree-In his thematic works, coconut trees are strategically integrated to symbolize harmony, resilience, and growing gracefully in accordance with divine providence. Mango Tree-a proud advocate for his heritage, he frequently uses mango trees or mango motifs to promote Cebuano culture and identity. 

First Impression, 6.6"x 6.5", Mt Ipoh Malaysia, 2022


Treasure in Indonesia, 5.5"x 8.5", 2015

Precious Moments, 6.5", 6.5", Malaysis, 2022

Malapascua Island, 2015

Ipoh, Malaysia, 2022


Ipoh, Indonesia, 2022

Oriental Village, Langkawi, Malaysia, 2016



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