Today we’d like to introduce you to Renata Rodrigues.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I grew up at the beautiful beach of Toninhas, in Ubatuba-Brazil and I enjoyed arts and crafts ever since I can remember. Half of my family are into arts and are mostly self-taught. My mother and aunties always encourage us kids to create.
When I was 15 yrs. Old, I started working as a graphic designer in Sao Paulo and did everything from printed art, design of websites and digital photo-restoration. I graduated in Graphic Design at The University of Fine Arts of Sao Paulo and later moved to Australia and then New Zealand, where I learned English and worked in quite a few different jobs, none of them to do with art. In New Zealand I worked for the leading swim school as a swim teacher for over 3 years. I still give private swim lessons around West Palm Beach every summer.
I moved to West Palm Beach 2 1/2 years ago and after a long period of time without creating art I happily found my inspiration to get back to what I really love. The fact that I am married WPB local artist Craig McInnis has a lot to do with it and I am so grateful for him. We are part of an artist-in-residence program in Northwood Village called Lot 23. I teach fundamental drawing classes as part of the program.
Please tell us about your art.
I am a multimedia artist and I am often changing what I am working on. I am best known for my charcoal on wood pieces with incorporated seashell flowers and sculpted pieces, but my mixed media art also includes acrylics, ink and other materials. The main theme in my artwork is the beauty of nature and unspoken feelings and my influences are the contemporary life and the associations of the subconscious mind.
I love turning off my brain and creating art. I like to explore different mediums and techniques and I am always learning something new. My wish is that people enjoy looking at my art and that it makes them feel something. I hope it gets them to reflect on their own lives and feelings and of others.
Apart from fine art I have a seashell flower jewelry and hair accessories line and I do body paint whenever I get the chance. I work as a scare actor every Halloween season as “Massara” at Fright Nights at South Florida Fairgrounds. I created my own character and I do my own fx makeup. I also just participated in my first public art project with the City of West Palm Beach and it was awesome! Summer in Paradise Fairytale Playhouses. Check it out!
What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
I am an upcoming artist and haven’t been showing my art in the country for long. But as far as I can tell, here has at least one same problem of other places that I have lived in, which is people expecting artists to do work for free, or for “exposure” as they like to say. What is not cool.
Cities should always support its local artists and think of them first for any art projects. I really enjoyed my first experience with public art in WPB and I would like to see more of those. Engaging the community, helping to raise money for local nonprofits and supporting local artists. We also get to meet other artists what I think is also important for any art scene.
As I said before I am a big believer in buying local, not only art, but from local family owned stores, restaurants, bars, etc. We need to support the communities we live in. I think any jobs have its positives and challenges. but being an artist makes me happy.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
You can follow me on Facebook and Instagram to check out my work and get to know where I am showing pieces that you can view up and close. The Lot 23 studio on Northwood Road have some of my art and the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County has my jewelry and hair accessories on display in their store. And if you see anything online that you would like to see it in person just give me a call and I can organize that.
You can support me and all other local artists by buying our art. When you want to get a present to a loved one think in giving original and unique art pieces, made by local artists. You will be not only enriching someone’s life but also helping your community to thrive. Many local artists work as art teachers and do public art projects to engage the community.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 5612559525
- Email: re.rodrigues777@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renatarodriguesart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/renatarodriguesart/
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/WPBlot23/
Image Credit:
Fright Nights photo – Kelly Goodman Photography
Dolls Sculpture – K5
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
