Meet the ARTISTS

  • Emerging Artist: Contemporary Romanticism Painter

    Born in the year 2007, Smile Lopez's journey into the world of art began at a young age, guided by the influence of her father. At just eight years old, she started painting and experimenting with various techniques and mediums. Over time, art became a sanctuary for her—a space where she could express her emotions and channel her dedication and hard work. In addition to painting, Smile finds joy in crocheting, exploring other crafts, and frequently redesigning her bedroom as a creative outlet.

    In late 2021, Smile created her art-focused Instagram account, showcasing Ghibli-inspired pieces that brought her great delight. The support and encouragement from fellow artists spurred her on, motivating her to continuously refine her style. This led her to the pivotal moment of selling her first painting, marking the beginning of a fulfilling journey of meeting and working with incredible clients.

    Today, in hear late teens, Smile draws inspiration from serene landscapes, often painting in soft pastel hues and depicting tranquil scenes of swans and boats. Her goal is to host her own art exhibition and continue developing a signature style through constant learning and experimentation.

    Smile hopes to inspire others to stay committed to their dreams, reminding them to be patient, embrace the journey, and find joy in the process. She believes that art, much like life, is about appreciating each moment and growing with every experience.

    Smile is deeply grateful to all who have supported her over the years, witnessing her artistic evolution and sharing in her passion. She looks forward to the future and the endless possibilities of growth and exploration that lie ahead.

  • Former Elementary and College Teacher

    Amelita Z. Malana is a resilient and resourceful individual whose journey reflects a deep commitment to service and perseverance. Originally from the Visayas region, Amelita now resides in the province of Rizal, where she has continued to face life’s challenges with unwavering strength. Once a dedicated teacher at both the elementary and college levels, Amelita lost her job when the K-12 system was implemented in the Philippines. Unable to afford the fees to retrain and qualify as a K-12 teacher, she was forced to leave her profession. With a young family to support, she turned to odd jobs to make ends meet.

    In 2024, in the midst of her busy life, now in her mid-30s, Amelita finds moments of peace through her art. She draws during her spare time, using creativity as a way to express her emotions and reflect on her experiences. Art has become her refuge, a quiet but powerful outlet where every piece tells part of her story. Known for going above and beyond in everything she does, Amelita consistently serves her customers with selfless dedication, never expecting anything in return. Her journey is a testament to perseverance, sacrifice, and the transformative power of art.

  • Psychometrician-Artist

    Like many of the artists of Galerie Angelique, Shana Dine Aquino’s journey into the gallery was serendipitous—an unexpected yet perfectly aligned meeting of minds and artistic vision. She is the first scientist-artist to join Galerie Angelique, bridging the realms of science and art in a way that mirrors the gallery’s long-term mission of showcasing the harmony between these two disciplines.

    A fully-certified psychometrician, now in her early twenties, Shana’s scientific background influences her meticulous approach to art, where precision, analysis, and structure play a key role in her creative process. Specializing in hyper-realism, her work is defined by an acute attention to detail, capturing subjects with astonishing accuracy and depth. Her ability to bring scientific precision into her artistry is a testament to how technical mastery and creativity can exist side by side.

    Beyond her expertise in both psychology and fine art, Shana shares a unique connection with Galerie Angelique’s founder and curator, Angelica-Lorraine Lee—both are scientists with a deep appreciation for the arts, and both speak German, further strengthening their mutual understanding and collaborative vision.

    Shana’s presence in Galerie Angelique marks a pivotal step towards the gallery’s future ambitions: to present science and art as complementary, rather than contradictory, fields. Her work embodies the meticulous rigor of scientific study while maintaining the emotional depth and expressive quality that define fine art. She stands as an example of how analytical thinking and creative expression can merge seamlessly, making her an invaluable part of Galerie Angelique’s evolving narrative.

    As Galerie Angelique continues to champion the convergence of science and art, Shana’s work serves as a powerful statement—proof that these two worlds are not separate but interconnected, each enriching the other in profound and unexpected ways.

  • The First Filipino Rust Painter

    Ramon H. Lopez, born in February of 1983 in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija, discovered his love for painting at a young age. His vision was not only to establish himself as a renowned artist but also to bring recognition to the Filipino people through his unique artistic expressions. With a desire to break away from conventional techniques, Lopez pushed the boundaries of traditional painting and explored new materials that would define his distinctive style.

    Lopez became an active member of the local art community through his involvement with Samahang Makasining Phil. Inc., where he refined his skills and developed a disciplined approach to his craft. In 2008, he participated in a national painting competition organized by the Bureau of Postharvest Research Extension (BPRE), now known as the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMec), where he won second place. This achievement further ignited his passion for art and inspired him to experiment with an unconventional medium: rust.

    Ramon Lopez became the first Filipino artist to pioneer rust painting, using rust as his primary medium. He collects rusting objects often discarded as waste and meticulously extracts rust particles to incorporate into his artwork. His process is a testament to creativity and sustainability, transforming materials that are typically considered worthless into striking, thought-provoking art. To preserve the integrity of his pieces, Lopez applies protective top coats that ensure their longevity over time.

    Lopez’s groundbreaking work as the first Filipino rust painter has earned him attention beyond the art world. He was featured in an interview with GMA Network Inc., where his innovative technique and inspiring story reached a wider audience, further cementing his role as a pioneering figure in Filipino art.

    Driven by his mission to showcase the beauty in transformation and uplift the Filipino spirit, Ramon H. Lopez continues to innovate, leaving an indelible mark on the art world with his unique and unconventional medium.

  • Photographer and Painter

    Levy Aragon, a native of Rizal Province, is a former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) whose journey is shaped by perseverance, creativity, and an entrepreneurial mindset. For six years, Levy worked in South Korea building circuit board parts, all in pursuit of providing a better future for his family back home. Once he had saved enough, he returned to the Philippines to reunite with his wife and children.

    With his savings, Levy launched his own photography business, channeling his technical expertise and artistic passion into a thriving career. In addition to photography, he enjoys painting as a hobby, finding new ways to express himself through art. His dedication to the visual arts has continued to grow, and in 2024, in his late 50s, Levy became a certified photography instructor, guiding aspiring photographers in their craft.

    Looking ahead, Levy dreams of building his own photography school, where he can pass on his knowledge and inspire future generations of artists. His journey, from an OFW to a successful entrepreneur and educator, is a testament to his resilience, passion, and commitment to creative exploration.

Meet the curator

Angelica-Lorraine (Angelica)
Curator of Galerie Angelique

Angelica-Lorraine, born in 1992, is a trailblazer in both science and art, whose remarkable journey began in the Philippines and flourished in the United States. Moving at the age of 18 to Northern California, in order to pursue her passion for Physics and Astronomy, her first job consisted of joint projects with the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) through the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), contributing to lightning strike prediction research. However, nearing the tail end of her studies, she observed technology evolving at an unprecedented pace. She became concerned that the human element was being overlooked in her field—a field she pursued, hoping to use science to make the world a better place. With this realization coupled with a series of unfortunate events, she found herself immersed full-time in the art world, knowing that the rapid shift of almost every industry imaginable towards automation, was eroding the essential human touch in scientific endeavors.

During her years of collegiate studies at San José State University in San José, California, where she earned her Physics degree with a concentration in Astronomy in 2018, Angelica immersed herself not only in the sciences but also in the world of vintage and antique collecting. When she wasn't focused on her studies, she explored vintage and antique stores across the San Francisco Bay Area and, later, in Los Angeles, California, and Miami, Florida during her post-collegiate years. This interest in art and history was influenced by her upbringing in a household steeped in classical artistic expression in Metro Manila, Philippines, where she would often get lost in the intricate details of her surroundings, from bed frame carvings to dining chair designs. As a child, Angelica frequently asked questions about every symbol she encountered, and this fascination with detail only deepened over time. It was later, after being diagnosed as an adult with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at age 22 and age 31, respectively, that she understood why she often became absorbed in the details around her home environments, frequently neglecting her homework and meals.

One of her cherished memories from her early years in the United States involves an aunt who worked for an antiques dealer in downtown San Francisco. Her aunt would allow a then-teen-aged Angelica to accompany her to work, where she was free to explore the office. Over time, Angelica developed an early appreciation for the musty scent of Victorian-era structures. This sensory connection to her new environment added depth to her love for antiques. In the late 2010s, her fiancé, German native, U. Wolfgang Wagenknecht, recognized her keen eye for detail and took her to visit numerous galleries to further develop her natural artistic intuition, solidifying her deep appreciation for art. After all, many-a-great scientist in her field, were themselves, remarkable artists.

The story of Galerie Angelique began with her luxury jewelry brand, Ange Lorraine. Before embarking on Ange Lorraine, Angelica’s journey into the jewelry world began with a personal mission: creating her engagement and wedding rings in 2020, during the height of the pandemic. What should have been a joyful occasion quickly turned into a series of setbacks, including a particularly distressing event when a jeweler went missing for six months, taking with them a precious stone Wolfgang had personally mined in California. This challenging experience revealed to Angelica not only the importance of craftsmanship and the personal touch behind each piece of jewelry but also the profound significance of trust in such meaningful transactions. These rings symbolized the beginning of a new chapter in both their lives, and the ordeal underscored just how vital reliability is in creating such deeply personal artifacts.

Recognizing Angelica’s growing interest and skill in jewelry-making, Wolfgang encouraged her to channel this passion into the founding of Ange Lorraine, her luxury jewelry company. Transitioning from physicist to goldsmith for a full-time career, Angelica also carried with her the credibility of having obtained U.S. government background clearance, further reinforcing the trust and integrity that define her brand.

In addition to her jewelry venture, Wolfgang played a pivotal role in helping Angelica establish BrainNForce, an online freelancing platform designed to offer flexible and supportive learning environments, when she was 29 years old. Together, they forged a path that merged their passions for special education, science, and art.

In the Fall of 2024, Angelica opened Galerie Angelique as a heartfelt tribute to those who supported and believed in her journey, playing a key role in the launch of Ange Lorraine. Originally conceived as a personal homage, the gallery quickly expanded to include other artists whose work aligns with her values of craftsmanship, integrity, and artistic vision. The gallery now stands as a platform not only to honor and uplift the individuals she deeply respects but also to showcase emerging and established artists, recognizing their invaluable contributions and encouragement that helped bring her vision to life.

Angelica’s vision for Galerie Angelique reflects her lifelong aspiration to pursue interdisciplinary work, much like a modern Renaissance woman. It embodies the harmonious blend of precision and passion that has defined her journey, rooted in gratitude and a deep desire to make a meaningful impact across a wide range of fields.

Galerie Angelique also allows Angelica to embrace a mentorship role, one she greatly values. Her experience with the Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary (CAP), where she trained as a cadet, eventually moving up the ranks to serve as a deputy commander of cadets in the mid-2010s, laid the foundation for her mental processes as a businessperson. Through CAP and her Filipino roots, she not only developed leadership skills and learned how to guide young people with discipline, but also did so with constructive care—qualities that now influence how she approaches both mentorship and business. These foundational experiences continue to shape her path forward.

Looking ahead, Angelica plans to split her time between art and to return to the science field one day, as she envisions building scientific research facilities in the Philippines, with a focus on marine studies, blending her passions for science and art to foster a deeper understanding of the natural world.