The beauty of the female visage and form, a lively splash of colors, and arresting visuals — these are just a few ways to describe Marie Veronica Expert’s works.

Marie is one of the visual artists that I met in Paris during my foreign assignment there from 2018-2021, whose artistic genre is so varied. During a visit to her home, I was able to see several of her paintings and I even got one featuring the lively Philippine dance, Tinikling.

That time, she also gave me a sneak peek of an almost completed painting, which was about to be displayed at an art exhibit in Paris, a week or so after my visit.

Beautiful, having a calm confidence, and exuding warmth, these were my impressions when I met Marie. Let’s learn more about her thoughts and about her journey.

Let’s learn more about her thoughts and about her journey.

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What led you to France and Morocco? Would you pls. tell us the story behind it? My family moved to Hongkong because of my father’s job as a chemist. The company he works for sent him to Hong Kong. I didn’t stay long in Hong Kong and I returned to the Philippines to take over our small family business.

During my occasional visits to my family in HK, I met my husband, a Frenchman who worked as a civil engineer in an international construction company. He is an expatriate in Hong Kong like my father. In 1997, we moved from Asia to Europe then to Africa.

How would you describe the difference in your life in France compared to the Philippines? The difference in the life in the Philippines and Paris is the culture mentality of the people. At first, it was difficult because of the language barrier, but after I learned to speak French, I became at home here. I was busier here in Paris than in the Philippines, probably because of my profession as an artist and gallerist. I am a co-owner of the gallery Kwadro Pintura in Paris. For me, time is too fast here in Paris, maybe because there are too many opportunities and I want to do a lot. Unlike in Philippines, your routine is easy as long as it is programmed.

Did you feel early on that you’d like to be a painter? If not, can you share with us your career before? When I was young, I loved to look at paintings, especially the Renaissance paintings that I get to see in churches and the designs on the porcelain plates in our house. When I got married, I went and lived in Europe and Africa, then I joined a group of expatriates to meet new acquaintances, and one of the people I met was my mentor who taught me how to paint. This was in the year 1997.

I have seen several of your paintings, all mesmerizing. Can you share with us the story behind the shifts of genre from classical, to impressionist, to contemporary? For me as an artist, I think i need to break away from the conventions and constraints of classical art by embracing a modern style and also for my personal growth and exploration. That’s why I shifted from classical painting to modern contemporary, I also consider the preferences and tastes of my audience. Shifting to a modern style help me to connect with a broader and more contemporary audience and art collectors.

What message would you like to share through your paintings? To those who notice my paintings, most of my artwork are women themed–the beauty and power are reflected and noticeable in the character of the women I paint. You will notice in my paintings that the women are Strong, Beautiful and the ones who give us life.

About being a woman, do you feel that there are advantages to being one? What opportunities were opened to you as a woman? We women are often commonly associated with having higher levels of empathy and emotional intelligence. Our multitasking and management skills are just some of our many qualities. Also, we are capable and adept at managing multiple responsibilities at the same time. This ability is useful in various areas of life, such as balancing work and family.

What were the challenges in living abroad and building a family abroad? Living abroad is a challenge for most of us, but it will be worth it and easy if you learn the language and culture of your host country. I came to France and lived at my in-laws place before we moved to Paris. At first, I thought I couldn’t live here because I missed my parents, my family and my friends, but as time passed, I embraced France, and I made it my second home.

It helped me a lot when I learned their language and their culture. It’s an open door for me for better communication and understanding with the locals. It also helps me connect with people on a deeper level and build meaningful relationships. Speaking their language also helps me navigate everyday life more easily.

The Filipino diaspora is considered one of the largest in the world. What is your message to fellow Filipinos who also would like to explore living in France or in general, any country abroad? Embrace France or your host country as your new homeland and make it your second home. Try to learn the language and culture of our host country. Learning their language is really important; it opens doors for better communication and and also helps you navigate everyday life more easily, such as handling administrative tasks, shopping, and interacting with local services and understanding with the locals. It allows you to connect with people on a deeper level and build meaningful relationships.

What is your message to all women? ❤ We can support one another by creating networks, mentoring, and providing opportunities for growth. By working together and lifting each other up, we can create a more supportive and empowering environment for all women.

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Thank you so much, Ms. Marie. May you continue making art and spreading your positive energy to everyone you meet. May you continue to inspire fellow Filipinos to thrive wherever in the world destiny and circumstances brought them. ❤

Author’s Notes:

-Photos were provided by the artist.