Self-taught graphic artist in La Union wins intl award 

A self-taught graphic artist from La Union province in the Philippines was the lone Filipino among 30 "Stellar Art" awardees whose works will be exhibited in California.    Reynante Martinez, of San Juan, La Union, received the award from "Digital Arts: California," an art gallery that both has an online and a physical exhibit. Martinez received the citation for his work, “Constraints”, a 3D still digital art. Four of his other artworks are on display online at the "Digital Arts: California" website.   Some 74 digital artists and photographers from 23 countries were selected for the exhibit, which can be viewed at www.DigitalArtsCalifornia.com until April 15.   In a text message to GMA News Online, Martinez confided that he “wasn’t really expecting to get any award.”   He said he received the news “a few weeks after submitting my entries” and he “couldn’t believe what I just read until I went on and checked the selections.”   “To this moment, I am still very honored and humbled for [the award],” he said. “Part of this I owe to our country, from which I gather inspiration and pride.” - VVP, GMA News