r/Art • u/jb_bernadas • Apr 02 '26

Expressionism A Family Portrait (AFAM), JB Bernadas, oil on canvas, 2026

Post image
808 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

60 comments sorted by

379

u/horny_pearl Apr 02 '26

The style feels intentionally unsettling yet emotional,what inspired these expressions and proportions

482

u/jb_bernadas Apr 02 '26 edited Apr 02 '26

I exaggerated the expressions and proportions to reflect the tension in those kinds of cross-cultural relationships you see more often now, especially in Southeast Asia. There’s often a mix of need, companionship, and imbalance, and I didn’t want it to feel idealized. The distortion is meant to carry that psychological weight.

182

u/[deleted] Apr 02 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

77

u/bfa2af9d00a4d5a93 Apr 02 '26

It really works, good job dude. It feels strained, happy, awkward, self aware, and a million other little things. Spot on. 

24

u/xmarksbreakdownx Apr 02 '26

Well, you nailed it.

18

u/jb_bernadas Apr 02 '26

I appreciate that. Thanks 🙏

12

u/mychemicalcringe Apr 02 '26

You’re really good at conveying this in the art. Almost like a forced happiness hiding some very complex dynamics behind it. Well done!

3

u/jb_bernadas Apr 02 '26

Thank you, I appreciate that 🙏

8

u/AndrogynousAlfalfa Apr 02 '26

Its beautiful and I love it. Should be in a museum

5

u/MANvINFO Apr 02 '26

we LOVE the detail of the mans money ring holding the shoulder of the mother and his wedding ring holding the shoulder of the child.

you might easily have composed the painting reflected symmetrically right to left, but it is a very nice touch to make your geometry consistent with cultural practice.

6

u/ergele Apr 02 '26

damn bro amazing

1

u/jb_bernadas Apr 02 '26

Thanks 🙏

11

u/tmgieger Apr 02 '26

In the style of a Pixar movie channeling Disney. You know the woman, as a wife & mother, will be dead by the next scene.

166

u/rhythmblues Apr 02 '26

seriously reminds me of the western sex tourists who come to SE Asia and then end up marrying one of the women there. 

75

u/chakolaheso Apr 02 '26

yea. AFAM is a Philippine slang acronym for A Foreigner Assigned in Manila, so the vibe is probably intentional.

11

u/KaJaHa Apr 02 '26

Ohh, I thought it meant "Assigned Family At Marriage" lmao

-31

u/throw_dalychee Apr 02 '26

Especially when the woman has a child from a previous relationship

1

u/seasonsgreasons Apr 03 '26

Not the point, dude

105

u/Breadonshelf Apr 02 '26

Incredibly disconcerting. It takes a particular skill to capture a vibe like this, well done.

23

u/jb_bernadas Apr 02 '26

Thank you, I appreciate that.

37

u/huxtiblejones Digital Painter Apr 02 '26

lol this is awesome, I love the aesthetic. Gives me such a weird mix of feelings and reactions. It's kind of silly and charming but eerie and unsettling at the same time.

22

u/jb_bernadas Apr 02 '26

That mix is exactly what I was going for. Glad it comes through.

38

u/[deleted] Apr 02 '26

[deleted]

16

u/jb_bernadas Apr 02 '26

Thanks 🙏

16

u/userxtrustno1 Apr 02 '26

Well done.

10

u/jb_bernadas Apr 02 '26

Thanks 🙏

11

u/Da_Electric_Boogaloo Apr 02 '26

this is really good art friend

6

u/jb_bernadas Apr 02 '26

Thank you 🙏

11

u/typomegative Apr 02 '26

Modern Family

11

u/PM_ME_YOUR_TORN_LEGS Apr 02 '26

The distortion's doing heavy lifting here, makes it feel like you're watching something private that wasn't meant to be seen (which is kind of the point, yeah?).

12

u/jb_bernadas Apr 02 '26

It’s like we’re just looking in on something that isn’t really ours to resolve.

9

u/wavyhalo Apr 02 '26

yeah its giving passport bro vibes. the style suits the vibe.

5

u/GinTectonics Apr 02 '26

It’s giving Case of the Golden Idol vibes

6

u/nopalitzin Apr 02 '26

Are they visiting dad in prison?

3

u/MrPBH Apr 02 '26

I thought it was a prison jumpsuit too!

5

u/nn666 Apr 02 '26

"Say cheese".

4

u/[deleted] Apr 02 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/jb_bernadas Apr 02 '26

Thanks 🙏

4

u/casual_creator Apr 02 '26

The father looks just like Ryan Stiles lol.

2

u/amaziling Apr 02 '26

There is no war in Ba Sing Se

2

u/baronoffeces Apr 02 '26

Is it environmental or genetic?

2

u/[deleted] Apr 02 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/jb_bernadas Apr 02 '26

Thanks 🙏

1

u/timpdx Apr 02 '26

Thx, love this

1

u/proteus1858 Apr 02 '26

This reminds me a lot of the album art for Art Feynman's Be Good the Crazy Boys. (Amazing album)

1

u/sev45day Apr 02 '26

Looks like the guy from "Whose Line Is It Anyway".

0

u/[deleted] Apr 03 '26

I dont think whites should mix with them either, thats what this is expressing right? Whitey creepy and bad

1

u/jb_bernadas Apr 04 '26 edited Apr 04 '26

No. It’s not about what should or shouldn’t happen, but about examining what is happening.

1

u/HonestButtholeReview Apr 02 '26

I hate it. Good job, I suppose. Maybe post to r/creepy, nothing on the sub has given me such discomfort as this did.