Art Blog - Hispanic Art Scene

Interview with Artist Rosa E. Colon

Rosa Colon was born in Armenia, Colombia. She has been drawing and painting since she was a child and she continued to study art throughout middle and high school. While in high school Rosa won numerous prizes and recognitions for her drawings and paintings.

In 1981 she went to study in Bogota -- Colombia at the Jorge Tadeo Lozano University. In 1985 Rosa graduated with a degree as an Interior Decorator. She later enrolled in extended courses of architectural Expression at the National University of Colombia. Rosa wanted to further develop her painting skills so she attended private classes in oil painting while still living in Colombia.

In the United States she studied under the direction of Enzo Russo master artist, trained in Florence, Italy and she enrolled in mixed media and collage classes at the Norwalk Community College with a prominent artist Mercedes Arensberg.

In her artwork she tries to reflect her cultural background. She works with oils and pressed flowers and leaves. Currently she focuses her time on her lifelong passion: painting.

Rosa's art works have been exhibited at the "Picture That Gallery" in Stamford, Cendant Mobility in Danbury, at Stamford Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, at the Holiday Inn Select in Stamford, Sheraton Hotel in Stamford, Stamford Art Association, Greenwich Art Society, Bendheim Gallery of the Greenwich Art Council, Audubon in Greenwich, CT, Lobby Art gallery at Park Square West in Stamford, Palace Theater, Rosenthal Gallery, Rich Forum in Stamford, Garden Educational Center, Cos Cob CT, Norwalk Community College Art gallery, Flinn Gallery in Greenwich, St. Philip Artists' Guild in Norwalk, UCONN Art Gallery, Hudson City Saving Bank in Cos Cob, CT. New Canaan YMCA, Alexeyvon Schlippe Gallery of Art, UCONN, Groton CT, UBS Art Gallery, Stamford, CT, Old Town Hall in Stamford, CT. and Brooklyn College

Interview Questions

1) How long have you been creating art? Since I was a child I have been drawing and painting, but as a professional, about ten years.

2) How would you describe your art? My paintings are realistic and capture moments, feelings and beauty. They are also very colorful.

3) What was your proudest moment as an artist? This year, when one of my paintings was accepted for juried biennial of Latin art at Alexey von Schippe Gallery of Art in Groton CT. It was great to see my artwork being admired by guests, collectors, artists, art curators, journalists and art students that visited the exhibition.

4) What people have been important to your development as an artist? One of the most important people in my artistic career has been Valerie Cooper the Owner of Picture-That LLC. She gave me the opportunity to exhibit my artworks at the Rosenthal Gallery - Rich Forum in Stamford, CT nine years ago, since then I have shown my artworks in so many different places.

5) Which artist do you admire? I admire Pablo Picasso, Van Gogh and Georgia O'Keefe

6) Why do you create art? Because creating art is relaxation therapy for me. I like to capture significant moments of my life through my paintings.

7) What do you enjoy most about being an artist? I enjoy many things: first I can express myself freely, I paint my favorite subjects including, nature, family etc. I am able to capture specials moments of my life and my surroundings through the paintings I create. I have also had the opportunity to meet so many talented artists and make lots of new friends. My husband Roberto because of the support he gives me with my art, such as helping me deliver work, attend events etc. Roberto has attended and enjoyed every show that I have ever participated in and that means a lot to me.

8) What awards have you won? 2010 - Second price - Stamford art Association - Latin Show 2009 - Honorable mention - Art Society of Old Greenwich - Sidewalk show. 2009 - Honorable Mention - Stamford Art Association - Far Away Places. 2004 - People Award - Stamford Art Association - Summer Show.

9) How has your artwork changed since you began? It has changed a little. I have always been fascinated with nature, its forms and colors and I try to capture it in a realistic way. In the past few years I tried to adopt a lost style (impressionist style) but I feel more comfortable with my realistic one. Also I have been working with pressed flower technique, adding sometimes to the background, watercolors, acrylic or oil. Working on paper or panel canvas, I try to create something new using different techniques. Experimenting with different paint mediums has unlimited possibilities and is really fun.

10) What are your future plans in art? I look forward to continuing to learn and develop as an artist. I'm planning to enroll in a printmaking workshop in order to learn and explore other techniques. I also intend to continue to exhibit my artworks in the United Stated and Internationally.

Rosa Colon is a wonderful artist and always finds time to help out other artists, teach our youth about art and she gives back to the art community in so many ways. Please visit the following websites to see more of Rosa's work. www.rosacolon.com, www.stamfordartassociation.org.

This Interview was conducted by Cuban American Artist & Journalist, Jose Acosta

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