One could get inspiration from anything and little nuggets of wisdom can be picked up from everyone around us. We all have stories to tell.
Take this homeless woman, for example, who was snapped making colorful artworks along the streets of Gil Puyat by Facebook user Judy Ann Samorin. The latter’s post has gone viral with more than 11,000 shares and 26 thousand likes as of press time.
The woman in the photograph is Jhalanie Mutuan who used to scavenge and dig through trash around the streets of Makati and Manila to get by. Until she stumbled upon pieces of crayons and pastels which ignited a long lost passion for art.
Now she is telling her stories through the intricate artworks she makes. What’s even more inspiring is that instead of asking for alms she sells her works to passersby for P15 each to earn a living.
Netizens react, on the next page.
Who knew that from this woman’s humble efforts, so many could draw inspiration?
Life lesson: just when you think you are down and out, and luck has turned its back on you, look within yourself and discover what you have that you can still offer others. In this woman’s case, the gift of making and sharing art has touched thousands of hearts.
Dozens of netizens were inspired by the photo, some like Facebook user Isaiah Seth were moved to seek out the woman.
(Wow, all so beautiful. You really feel every expression of her drawings. I hope I will pass by her. Where exactly can she be found along G. Puyat?)
Others wanted to donate art supplies to help her.
(I looked for her during when I was off from work, biking from Monumento to Buendia, but I didn’t see her. How unfortunate, since I brought art supplies — I wanted to teach her somehow… maybe that would help.. I’ll try again this Saturday.)
And there are many who were simply moved by her artworks.
(Oh my.. I want to donate my used art materials that are just stocked here at home.. oil pastels, colored paper… I want to see her/him too… I’ll go to Buendia tomorrow in the afternoon.. but only at the opening… where could she be?)
And it didn’t take long for her to catch the attention of other artists who set up something big to help her —a solo exhibit. Coco Torre who works in an art gallery in Makati organized an exhibit to feature Jhalanie’s works. Hundreds arrived to the event, and within mere hours her 40 piece display got sold- out.
Watch this GMA News feature to see her masterpieces yourself:
Who has inspired you lately? Tell us all about him or her below!
*Screenshots from original post by Judy Ann Samorin (comments section), video by GMA News TV
READ: UNICEF’s social experiment will make you rethink how you interact with homeless children
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