Today we’d like to introduce you to Rochelle Irons.
Rochelle, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I never wanted to be a ballerina or an astronaut…when I was 7 years old, I just knew I was an artist. It wasn’t a choice; it was what I already knew I was. Of course, life has a way of taking us on detours and I played at other careers along the way. But my heart, my soul, and the deepest part of who I am was and always has been an artist. Being an artist doesn’t mean you paint…it means you see. You observe you process and then you express your observations. We do that in different ways. For me, it’s very connected to my process, to color, to the actual creation of something. I don’t consider myself an artist of a certain medium because that would limit my expression. My creative process changes and flows into different mediums as my intuition inspires me. Some of my current favorites are resin, sand, and dye, I like to mix in elements of the sea, shells, sand, and microplastics taken from the ocean. I was raised on the ocean, so my heart always belongs there, and that influence is usually felt in my work.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Life has thrown challenge after challenge. But those challenges have often been the catalyst for my next project or opportunity. I’m a single parent, and sometimes that means I have to work twice as hard for things, but it also gives me double the motivation.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I love working with resin and acrylic paints. Large surfaces are my favorite, be that a wall or a giant canvas, or a large piece of furniture. I don’t like repetitive work, so I’m always looking for ways to mix things up and try something different. The brighter the colors the happier I am…no matter what new process I’m playing with I usually am drawn toward the tropical, oceany vibes of the islands where I grew up. Hot pinks, deep turquoise, lush greens… it’s my own mental happy place.
I’m currently curating art pop-ups at a local gallery. Our last event focused on local love and brought attention to both local businesses and artists and the symbiotic relationships between them. Our next Waves of Love event will take place this spring (date TBD) at 10949 N. Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. This time around we will be focusing on Artists from out of state, from all over our beautiful country.
I’ve got my first show on the west coast coming up this summer at the International Rose Test Garden in Portland on June 25th. I’m so excited and feel honored to be chosen to bring some new energy and youthful vibes to such a historically important event for the City of Portland. My work for the show will focus on the beauty of the roses in the garden. I’ve always loved how roses are so gorgeous, but at the same time kind of dangerous and require special handling to avoid being hurt (read into that as you will)
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
To keep going. Life is going to knock you down, there is no way around that. And if you look at someone else’s journey and think yours should look the same, think again. We’re all on our own path, and we’re gonna fall, and get knocked down at different times. The important thing is we keep trying, we get back up. we offer a hand to help others up, and we just keep going. My work isn’t better than others, but maybe I’ve wanted it more… I’ve gotten up time after time and I just keep trying.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://greenpapayapalace.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenpapayapalace/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greenpapayapalace
- Twitter: greenpapayapal
- Other: https://greenpapayapalace.com/shop/
Image Credits
Jillian Brooks Nicholson
Patricia Burlington
M & M Studios Jupiter
