For the past five years, Jess Puertollano came to our Manila apartment every Friday and turned our sixteenth-floor kitchen into an art studio. In that kitchen, he discovered and mentored the artist that was hiding inside our youngest son. We never expected an artist was in there—maybe an athlete or a comedian—but not an artist. But Jess found one.
Jess was a faithful volunteer in kids ministry at our church, using his art skills to create amazing props. His day job included being an award-winning set designer for TV shows and stage productions.
Jess died a few days ago of multiple organ failure. He was too young to die.
Here are some pix of Jess and three of his star students and their work at an exhibit in Manila last year.
A few of Jonathan’s latest big paintings here.
These paintings would be stick men and scribbling if not for Jess. Memories Jess helped create are hanging on walls all over our home.
He was a good man, a good artist, a good teacher—and he will be missed.
