“Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.” - Henry Ward Beecher. Talented artist J.A Tan loves to paint abstract work and create art since this makes him feel happy and at peace. He uses strong colors and mixed media paintings to show his emotions and thoughts. For his art, he uses acrylic, oil, black ink, pastel, and pencil. His fabulous artwork “Victory” was selected as one of eight designs for the United Nations Postal Administration stamps for Autism Awareness and were released on April 2, 2012. J.A. Tan has also been commissioned to create pieces for homes and offices in Vancouver, Canada and the Philippines. He has exhibited in various galleries around the world including “United Kingdom Autism Trust Exhibit”, “Beijing International Art of Autism Exhibit”, “2009 Autism and My Art” and many more.

What do you like about art? How did you learn to paint so beautifully?J: Art is an integral part of my existence as each work represents a personal journey of me with myself, and myself with the world. Creating art pieces brings me a feeling of peace and happiness since the world around me becomes clearer through the visual pictures I paint and draw. I paint to bring out my thoughts, feelings, and ideas and use my art to understand the world we live in. Through the colors and textures I use and the shapes I paint and draw, I communicate without having to use words. Coping with everyday life as an artist challenged with autism, I create art to make a difference in the world as I present the viewer a picture of how someone like me thinks, feels, and interacts. I paint my reality as I see and know it. I paint because I need to, so I paint whatever comes into my head and heart without consideration of anything else.
My mom has told me that from the time i learned how to hold a pencil and crayon I was drawing and coloring even before i could talk. My subjects were mostly Disney characters. Then I credit Emily Carr University of Art+Design in Vancouver, B.C. Canada for honing my talent and skills in art. As I studied for my bachelor of Fine Arts at this university, I learned techniques that informs by style of painting and drawing today. I got my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in May 2010. Since then i would attend workshops on painting and drawing that continue to hone my skills.

What is your favorite art creation so far and why?J: I do not have one specific favorite art creation. But i am partial to my creations in the abstract expressionism genre because I believe I am able to very aptly express my feelings and thoughts through this medium.

What are your other hobbies?J: I enjoy swimming whenever I can and I am an active member of the para-taekwondo demonstration team of a taekwondo school here in Vancouver, Canada, I have competed in both para-taekwondo and mainstream taekwondo events and have won medals in both. Just like many people my age, I enjoy playing computer games to relax. I also do a lot of writing - keeping a journal - of my activities, feelings, and observations.

What is your favorite place to visit and why?J: My favorite place to visit is my birth country, the Philippines. I was born here and lived here till I was 19 years old when we moved to Vancouver Canada. So I have family and friends here that I enjoy visiting with. Aside from that, I enjoy travelling to the beaches of the country to relax and enhoy the wonderful view of sea and mountain. And travelling along the country roads of the Philippines, I encounter different kinds of trees and different sceneries - all familiar to me and so very relaxing as it seems like travelling down memory lane.

What do you like to do when you are with your friends/family?J:  I enjoy just hanging out with my friends and family, exchanging stories about what transpired so far in my life. I enjoy doing this most during my occasional visits to the Philippines. In Vancouver, I enjoy travelling around Vancouver and outside Canada with my parents and hanging out with my friends.

Do you have any special message for our community?J: I have always lived by the dictum NEVER GIVE UP!!! Believe in yourself - that you have talents and abilities that help you make a difference in the world. Believe the challenges you are given just make you a stronger and better person. Be persistent and courageous. And always have faith!