Adel Bautista

Emotional Mindfulness, 2024

Feelings are not so straightforward discussions especially at the core level. I believe in order to know oneself, to maneuver, and deal with everyday life challenges, one needs to be mindful of the different emotions manifested in so many different ways.

“Emotions” - I am depicting Fear, Surprise, Happiness, Sadness, Anger, and Healthier. My artwork is based on my own life experiences and coping mechanisms to stay emotionally grounded, healthier, and continue to manage Life’s everyday challenges and successes. The intent of my photography is to help the viewer to see, feel, appreciate, be grateful, be engaged, and value Life as is at present time.

“Seascapes” - I chose the images as “Remembers/Reminders” I always have at least three choices in any given situation. The Majestic Pacific helps me to stay grounded, objective, reality-based, and puts me in my place – a simple being, deserving of Validation, Love, and Respect.

“Cape” - is for the viewer to try on and to acknowledge feelings at “Present-Time” at this very moment.

I hope my artwork will promote discussions, self-analyses, introspections on the question, "How am I feeling at this very moment?" I will acknowledge my feelings.

About the Artist

I am a photographer and digital media artist based in Vista, California. 

I choose to capture nature scenes I perceive to be peaceful and natural wonders.  Doing so, they become an emotional outlet that allow me to be healthier in many aspects – socially, emotionally, spiritually, environmentally, intellectually, physically, and as a lifelong learner.  My intent is to share with the viewer that there are positive ways to deal and manage stress, challenges, the daily grind of this “School of Life.” 

My own struggles, challenges, adversities, as a Filipina-American of Spanish-descent growing up in Oregon helps me remember what it is like to not quite belong because I was not born in the United States, my skin is not white, I talk “funny,” and I have slanted eyes. Yet, my creative and artistic practices stem from seeing, capturing, and sharing what is Good and Positive.

I hope to continue to inspire, empower and validate people like me through my photography and art.  I hope it will spark the viewer’s internal will and power to wake-up and live at present time with clarity-attention-focus. 

Additional Documentation