Multicolor realism painter’s art of surviving abroad - Gitter Ramirez

image credit: supplied

Gitter Ramirez

Multicolor realism painter’s art of surviving abroad

Dreaming of a better future for his family, Gitter Ramirez decided to work overseas and landed in Dubai in 2013. He arrived in the emirate on a one-month tourist visa, so he had only a month to secure a job. According to him, at first, he struggled to look for one because he wasn’t fluently speaking in English as his previous job in the Philippines as a salesperson didn’t require him to speak the universal language.

Luckily, the Dubai-based Filipino was called for an interview for a premier handbag spa that restores luxury bags and leather goods. Despite not speaking the required language fluently, when he said that painting kept him busy, he was instantly hired for the position. worker, was not always as glamorous as his work. Ramirez recalled restoring a leather car seat the whole day under a scorching summer. “For me, it’s nothing because I always look on the positive side--that I would learn more from this job especially in painting,” he said adding that on the sidelines he does commissioning on artworks.

After finishing his contract with the premier handbag spa, he applied for various companies. After sending thousands of CVs, he got an interview call from Al Tayer company to fill the position of stock room assistant. After two years in the company, he rose through the ranks, with the help of his manager, and was promoted to a sales advisor.

“I would say that I really love what I am doing--assisting customers, having knowledge in fashion retail, meeting different nationalities, making friends with customers, and now I can finally provide my family’s needs,” he said. Vlogger and multicolor realism painter

Ramirez said Dubai offers an array of opportunities as long as one is willing to learn. He has also entered the social media industry by creating a YouTube channel called gitter AETV wherein he showcases his talent in multicolor realism.

Through the platform, Ramirez supports his co-vloggers and influencers who have inspiring stories and spreading positive vibes in the community by gifting them multicolor realism paintings as a form of appreciation.

When asked about his plans after Dubai, he said he will be coming home and be with his family who he hasn’t met for the longest time. He also plans to be a full-time painting artist vlogger and continue to appreciate those who spread positivity and good vibes.

“For my kabayans, keep believing in yourself, follow your dreams,” he said.

Anz Soza

Building an empire abroad

The rapidly spreading virus forced a precipitous shift to remote work at many companies. While many have shifted to the remote working scheme, Anne ‘Anne Soza’ Michelle Peñaflorida got the ArtWear Project FZ-LLC off the ground last year during the pandemic around October 2020. Peñaflorida, through the startup, aims at making masterpieces in vast variety from luxurious outfits, shoes to bags, and more from the customers’ viewpoint.

“It was a terrifying move because building your own company involves greater tasks. More sleepless nights and endless thoughts about innovation throughout the day. At first, you are the Administration, the Marketing, the Artist, the Accounts, you are basically the one-woman show. But, I always believe that I should become my own boss. With the hard work and dedication that I put into it, I want to do it at my own business because I believe I deserve more,” Peñaflorida, who had worked as a graphics artist, financial executive, and interior designer, said.

Although her business success is reliant on her, Peñaflorida, a meraki artist and outlier, wants to equally spend her time with her kids as well.

“Success tastes sweeter too. Nothing is more gratifying to experience success with your own company, it comes with a huge amount of pride. I got paid 8 hours a day, Anything over that is charity,” she said noting that the best thing about managing one’s business is that she learns a lot about her own strength and the freedom, fulfillment, and learning it offers. Before embarking on an entrepreneur journey, Peñaflorida has been actively participating in various competitions. In 2016, he was one of the twelve Starbucks Holiday Red Cup Artists. One of her designs was also once featured on the iconic big screen in New York Times Square. Peñaflorida is also the grand winner of Ipanema UAE’s Flip-Flop Design Contest in 2018.

When asked about how does she see the company changing in drive years, the high-spirited businesswoman said: “The family will expand. Services will be available in other parts of the world because I am driven to change lives and in turn will improve mine.”

Doing meticulously hand-paint on mostly luxurious goods, she said work has not always been a bed of roses.

“If you have seen my post that I have accomplished something, know that I have failed a hundred times before that,” she said.

Impeccably hand-painting

“Masterpieces are not limited to museums. You can get to touch it and in wearable form too. Expression is not solely for the artist. But for those that struggle, we meticulously and impeccably hand-paint everything you want. You can buy the same brand of footwear, jeans, or bag with the rest, but we guarantee you won’t come out of the streets with the same design as everyone else.

For those who want to have their bags, shoes, or wallet customized, just visit anneartwearproject. com or call +971 50 449 5028 or email anneartwearproject@gmail.com.

image credit: supplied