Meet Jay – Artist, Architect, and Mum on a Mission

Hello and welcome! I’m Jay, a multimedia artist with a passion for textured artworks and acrylic painting. I was born and raised in the Philippines, and now I’m building a life and a creative legacy in Perth, Western Australia.
Before anything else, I’m a proud and busy mum to three amazing boys:
- Atom Angelo (16)
- Archer Angeldean (6)
- Axton Angel (4)

Life is a beautiful chaos of parenting, school runs, and bedtime stories, all while working full-time in the construction industry as a single parent. It’s a lot to juggle, but it’s also what fuels the raw, expressive energy behind my art.

My creative journey took a pivotal turn in 2020 when I began crafting textured mini artworks as a way to nurture my mental wellness. I started gifting these pieces to family and friends, and the response was overwhelming people began asking for commissions. What began as a therapeutic hobby slowly blossomed into something bigger.

That’s how Akin Artworks was born.

“Akin” is a Filipino word that means mine—a reflection of how deeply personal and fulfilling this path has become.

Though I had to pause my art practice to return to the workforce, life recently handed me a new opportunity: the chance to open a retail shop. I grabbed it with both hands. Now, I’m back! Juggling motherhood, work, and art, but this time with a renewed sense of purpose. Art has always been my first love, and now it’s also my livelihood.

I hold a Diploma in Building Construction and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. I once dreamed of studying Fine Arts, but was steered toward architecture with the familiar warning: “There’s no money in art.” Architecture gave me structure and discipline, and I have no regrets. It shaped the way I see and create.

Today, I know I’ve found my true passion. I’m grateful to be making a living doing what I love, and I’m a better mother and person because of it.

Anni Albers said it best:

I hope my creations bring you that kind of happiness, too.