Nik Masangcay

Nik Masangcay took up Fine Arts at the Far Eastern University and transferred to The Philippine Women’s University on his second year. He has worked in different advertising firms for more than 10 years as an artist, Graphic Designer, Visualizer and eventually as an Art Director. But his desire to paint became harder to resist and finally at the age of 36, has decided to devote his time to answer the siren call of his true love.

In 2002, Nik mounted his first one-man show entitled “Ang Munting Simula” featuring works in watercolor and pastel.

A coffee-table book: “Philippines by Nik Masangcay” was then launched in 2008, showcasing 250 of his watercolor paintings depicting Philippine landscapes and culture. This paved the way for his second one-man show at the Renaissance Gallery.

In 2009, his entry for the “26th Kulay sa Tubig,” a nationwide watercolor competition, sponsored by The Genesis Gallery, was chosen as one of the top five best entries.

Nik was also featured in the ABS-CBN’s documentary “Ang Babae sa Balangiga” wherein he was shown doing the portrait of the Philippine heroine, Casiana Nacionales.

His works earned him numerous awards and were featured in several book and magazine publications, greeting cards, calendars, and postage stamps, among others.

Masangcay has initially delved into impressionism in the early stage of his career as he was influenced by the senior artists in an art group he had joined, most of whom are in that genre.

After a period of impressionism, Nik subconsciously got drawn back to Cubism (his early influence during college days). The source of inspiration for his subjects are about human emotions, his experiences and questions about life, and the ordinary and unnoticed facets of existence. He lets his creativity flow as he paints and follows his instincts and emotions in his art-making process.
He is a Core Group member of Grupo Kwadro and a member of PORTRAIT ARTISTS SOCIETY of the PHILIPPINES (Manila Chapter) headed by Romulo Galicano. He is also one of the co-founders of “The Aquarellists,” a watercolor group founded in 1999