Lourdes Maria Ong (b. 1997) is a figurative realist artist and instructor based in San Antonio, Texas. Her methodology to painting and drawing the figure is rooted in traditions of the 19th century and the advent of technology; a specialized classical training she continues to this day studying part-time with the Grand Central Atelier based in NYC. Ong received her BFA in Painting from The University of Texas at San Antonio in 2021. Her work has been exhibited at the Salmagundi Club in New York City, Coppini Academy of Fine Arts in San Antonio, Texas, and the Rio Grande Valley. She was recently awarded a tuition scholarship by the Portrait Society of America to attend this year’s The Art of the Portrait Conference held in Washington D.C.
Artist Style: Teaching Artist/Instructor: Group Instruction, Instruction for Adults; Visual Art: Contemporary, Figurative, Nature/Wildlife, Portraiture, Realism, Representational, Still Life
Artist Medium: Colored Pencil; Drawing Media; Oil
Lourdes was born and raised in the Philippines. Her parents noticed her interest in drawing and painting at an early age. They enrolled her in summer art classes before moving to the United States in 2008. After seeing the Sistine ceiling at 18, Lourdes has developed her craft in oil painting and drawing ever since. She attended live model sessions at Coppini Academy of Fine Arts and studied under Daniel Keys, Joseph Todorovitch, and the Grand Central Atelier to supplement her fundamental training while attending university. After getting a BFA, Lourdes continued to study with the Grand Central Atelier online and in-person in New York City.
Lourdes currently instructs figure drawing at CAFA and Hindes Fine Art, two historical locations prominent to the city. She assists Janice Yow Hindes, founder of the gallery and academy Hindes Fine Art. She is currently working in collaboration with the Africa Live! mural at the San Antonio Zoo.
Despite being an instructor, gallery assistant, and muralist, Lourdes plans to continue traveling out of state to study under professional artists to expand her knowledge, develop her voice, and bring her artistic experience back to San Antonio.