MEET THE ARTIST:
TALA QUINTO
Hi! I’m Tala. I am a watercolor artist, a crafter, and a creative workshop facilitator based in the Philippines. I cherish beautiful objects, the richness of textures, the surprise of unique forms, and the interplay of colors. I’ve always been drawn to the whimsical and the wonderful, exploring both modern and traditional art from different cultures.
My professional background was in Internal Auditing, which often felt at odds with my desire to be a well-known artist since childhood. It has always been my dream to pursue a career in the creative industry, but due to financial constraints, I had to settle for an in-demand course that my family decided for me. Despite the detour, while earning a degree in Internal Auditing from FEU, art remained a vital part of my life.
Things took a turn during the pandemic, a period marked by personal loss and introspection. Losing our beloved grandmother, who raised me and my four siblings, was devastating. It was the first death in our family, and navigating the grief was incredibly challenging. In the midst of this, I found myself leaving my job at an auditing firm in Makati and turning to what brought me solace—creating. This challenging time led me to embrace the freedom to create without constraints, exploring avenues that brought joy and healing.
The living room piled with scrunchies I’d sewn became the seed for my Instagram page, Talamakes Studio. This space allowed me to delve into sewing and crafting, a passion I shared with my grandmother growing up.
There, I began to explore various crafting machines, bringing my creative ideas to life, and sharing tutorials and reviews. My engagement in crafting events and the community eventually led to the founding of The Filipino Craftpreneur Community, a platform I dedicated to empowering creatives to transform their hobbies into thriving businesses.
A transformative trip to Japan further fueled my passion, where instead of paintings, it was the exquisite quilted fabrics in a museum that captivated me. The mastery and respect for material and artistry inspired a pivotal idea: transforming fabric cutouts into works of art. However, this concept had to wait due to other commitments until a simple, everyday activity brought clarity. While sorting through my son’s outgrown clothes, I realized the power of these tiny garments to trigger vivid memories. This insight led to the birth of Yumenui.
What began as a personal endeavor quickly resonated with family and friends, and soon, referrals for my custom quilts began pouring in. I spent months experimenting and following the rabbit holes that gave me the most joy, just to see where they went. Though I initially envisioned Yumenui focusing on baby milestone blankets, our first commissioned piece was a quilt for a mother grieving her late husband.
Transitioning from a secure career in finance to a path filled with creativity and heartfelt connections was a daunting but fulfilling leap of faith. It’s a lifelong dream come true in the midst of so much grief and uncertainty.
Thank you so much for your interest in my work, which allows me to continue living this incredible life as a full-time artist, crafter, and most importantly, as a mom. From my home studio in Makati, where every keepsake is lovingly made, I invite you to join me in preserving your most cherished memories. Together, let’s create keepsakes that tell your story, crafted with both heart and artistry.
