Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline Roch.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jacqueline. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Frustrated as a graphic designer in NYC, (right out of UM) I moved back home to Miami Beach and soon thereafter began taking graduate courses to become an art educator. Once finished with my master’s and teaching in my own classroom, the love of drawing and painting was soon unleashed… having a classroom was very much like having a studio. Watching students thrive and enjoy and making art was contagious and I quickly began to paint again. Using pastels, which I had discovered as part of my master’s program at FIU, I began taking classes with my mentor, Professor David Chang. The pastels were an instant addiction. After a few early successes, awards and sales, I found my self-painting full time and with the birth of my four sons, painting was my therapy! It has now been 20 years since the first exhibition and yet it seems like it was only a few years ago. I recently left my studio at the bakehouse art complex after a wonderful 10 years. I am so excited with all the new things ahead. My studios will be many. I have a beach cabana for plein aire painting, residencies at our stare parks, and a new space in little river.
Has it been a smooth road?
I would have to say that it could not be that rough or how would I still be doing it! of course with 4 children it is never enough in sales, I have had to put traveling with my work on hold when they were young and there have been the hard lessons learned of being an independent artist and having to do it all on “your” own. Biggest challenge is always and has always been managing all of my many interests and ideas. I have reached a point in my career where I am more confident than ever before. I paint selfishly and because it makes me happy. I am more aware of my talent and comfortable with my work. I used to struggle thinking that my work was too happy, no tortured soul lives in my work and in a place like Miami where abstract and contemporary are everywhere, it was easy to think I had to be more political and representational.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am an artist.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Living in Miami has certainly shaped my persona. I think being aware and happy of your surroundings can absolutely help your business. That being said, it seems like there is a lot of art going on everywhere now, and everyone wants to be an artist. With Instagram and Facebook and the internet and virtual galleries, it’s crazy! None of that was part of my world 20 years ago. That can be a great thing but also consuming as you feel like you have to be always doing something. It is also incredibly expensive to find studio space. That is the biggest challenge I see for artists today. You need a place to work, a sacred space and with nothing out there, it will take its toll on Miami artists.
Pricing:
- Prices range from 375 to over 10,000
- Love commission work and special projects
Contact Info:
- Website: www,jacquelineroch.com
- Phone: 305.495.4047
- Email: jrochfineart@bellsouth.net
- Instagram: @jacquirochpastels
- Facebook: jacqueline roch fine art
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