This piece was created for The Piccolo Gallery’s commission call, themed 'Triptych'. Artists were provided a Triptych maple wood hinged panel to use as their canvas for a concept/style of their choice.
Leo's piece features three animal portraits arranged with one on each panel in its own small world. On the left, a calm capybara balances an orange on its head, surrounded by water. The center panel shows a cat framed by a cosmic sky. On the right, a gentle horse stands in warm light in a grassy field. Each panel feels distinct, yet they share a sense of companionship.
This piece is ideal for anyone who enjoys artwork with character and a touch of humour. Collectors who enjoy art with personality or art that is a conversation started will find this triptych, an ode to distant friendship and individualism, especially easy to connect with.
Leo's work will be available for purchase at our Community Online Auction in Oct 2026. Purchases help uplift an everyday artist and fuel The Piccolo Gallery’s commission model.
This piece began with the idea of using the triptych’s opening and closing function as part of the artwork. My first draft imagined a barn scene that would reveal a group of animals when the panels opened.
As the piece developed, I kept the animal theme but shifted to creating three unique but connected panels. They can be displayed together as a triptych or separated when the hinges are removed. The animals remain the same as in the original sketch, but I redesigned the backgrounds to reflect a theme of long‑distance connection. If you spend a lot of time online, you may recognize the cat, as it’s based on the OIIA meme.
This piece is dedicated to animal lovers and to anyone who has friends or loved ones who live far away.
Leo is a mixed media artist based in Vancouver, BC, with roots in Surrey and Filipino heritage. Leo's love of art began at age four, when his mother introduced him to a local artist at the nursing home where she worked.
Leo enjoys creating work inspired by everyday life, especially pets, food, and the small moments that often go unnoticed. When not working on personal projects, he often makes art for friends and family. Leo's practice includes experimenting with a wide range of materials — from coffee and ballpoint pen to oil paint, acrylics, and alcohol markers and he often finishes pieces with expressive cross‑hatching in pen.
After nearly a decade working in retail and office roles, he's returning to art with renewed focus and a desire to build a creative career. Living with ADHD and aphantasia (inability to voluntarily visualize images), Leo relies heavily on reference images, which shape the way he creates. Leo draws inspiration from video games, internet culture, and the humor found in memes.
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