Remembering Betsy with fondness
Although she was not a Filipino citizen, her heart was here and her artworks spoke of her love of the Philippines.
‘We would talk about sunsets which we both loved to paint.’
Sunsets, clouds, seascapes, and flowers
Through time, they would see each other at exhibits and diplomatic events, both being perennial in Manila’s most desired guest list. They were one of the few who socialized in the same talented and smart company that included Juvenal Sansó and Tessie Ojeda Luz. “I was happy to sit and listen to their stories,” Mav reminisces.
“I got to know her much better in the past 12 years. She invited me to a smash paella dinner in her home. It was Juvy Sansó’s birthday. She cooked so well, and she showed me her studio with paintings and precious family photos. I loved her sunsets, clouds, seascapes, and flowers. Her art was truly inspiring.”
I am certain the admiration was mutual. Mav was delighted “she always attended the openings of my solo exhibits and our group shows. I was so touched when she liked and bought my soft art, a horse silk bag.”
Amazingly tech-savvy
Their conversation was deep and significant. Mav remembers, “We would talk about sunsets which we both loved to paint. She told me about her atmospheric artworks and her other studio facing Manila Bay from where she watched the changing clouds and light. She related how she devised a mechanical canvas roller that allowed her to paint huge artworks. She was amazingly techsavvy and she used a mobile phone, an iPad and a laptop, and communicated with friends, artists, and relatives through social media. “She painted every day and socialized in the evenings. So much energy! Betsy was famous and very successful but she was down to earth. She liked to share her views about art and authenticity. She told me that having a solo exhibit is better than being in a group show. She was so supportive of artists. I’m so grateful that she considered me a friend. I loved sitting with her and listening to her pointers on things to do and not do.”
A memorable spectacular exhibit was El Prado Project — Dialogue with the Masters at the Ayala Museum in 2010. “There were 50 Filipino artists and five Spanish artists, El Greco, Velazquez, Goya, and Zurbaran. We each chose one of the seven masterpieces by the Spanish artists and painted our versions of them. Spain was represented by Betsy and her daughters Sylvia and Carmen Brias, Sansó, and Cezar Caballero. I was among the 50 Filipino artists. Betsy interpreted El Greco’s El Caballero del Mano Al Pecho and I did my version of Las Meninas by Velazquez. It was a wonderful experience.
“She was so happy during her retrospective, Passages. I used to visit her at home and she made me remove my mask. I gave her my art fan Allegro and the Romanza book with short poems ( haiku) by National Artist Virgilio Almario “Rio Alma” matched with my 38 watercolor creations. Translation was by poet and editor Marne L. Kilates.
“In 2020, Instituto Cervantes director Javier Galván organized Creadoras: Tribute to Betsy
Westendorp. The exhibit had eight Filipino and Spanish women artists, friends chosen by Betsy. It was scheduled for March 2020 but the lockdown happened. It was mounted at the ICM‘s Casa Azul in Intramuros. A virtual exhibit followed months later.”
A radiance that attracted people
Mav concludes, “I’m so grateful that she considered me a friend. She possessed splendid values — she loved her family very much and she worked hard. She was awesome and generous. She was beautiful, warm, graceful, and elegant. She had a radiance that attracted people to her.
“I’m lucky that she kept in touch with me after her return to Spain in 2021. I tried to visit her during my brief stopover in Madrid last May but she was resting. We exchanged messages and I sent her photo memories to remind her that we were waiting for her. Although she was not a Filipino citizen, her heart was here and her artworks spoke for her love of the Philippines.”
I thank Betsy for sharing her art with the world, for loving our country and for bringing honor to us all.
Asad day for her friends and admirers was when their most beloved and admired Betsy Westendorp passed on to the next life.
A fellow artist who was close to Betsy, Mav Rufino enjoyed the unique privilege of having an “adviser and mentor” in this talented and most personable of our artists. “Our conversations were always relaxed but she always had a thing or two to share about how one can become a better artist,” she says.
While she had every reason to feel sad, Mav is consoled by her fond memories of the grand lady of Philippine visual arts who touched her in many wonderful ways.
They met at exhibits years ago. “Even before we knew each other, I had always admired her exquisite, magnificent paintings,” recalls Mav, who attended the Marymount International l School in Barcelona with Betsy’s daughters.