Artist Feature

Rosa Chavez was born in Michoacan, Mexico. As a child and young adult, she was surrounded by untouched natural landscapes and a few small farms in her native homeland. This sort of environment determined how she grew to interpret her surroundings, with her focussing on how different elements such as wind, water, and sun affect a scene. Most importantly, she is mesmerized by how people interact with natural

elements through sports, agriculture, and our constant need to urbanize organic landscapes. This obsession with how people impact an environment came from the stark contrast of growing up in a wild forest environment to her experience living in Mexico City as an adult. Throughout the years, Rosa took art classes and worked with local artists as an apprentice to gain experience in the art world. In her creative journey, she met her husband, artist, Leon F. Ruiz, who has influenced her work and helped her learn new painting styles. Together in the early 2000’s, they traveled to Europe and spent most of their time painting en plein air, infamous vineyards, and historical landmarks. Her work

won first place in a contest set up by Canadian Art Prints. Thousands of artists from all over the world competed. Four of her paintings were chosen to be printed and sold in select art galleries and showrooms internationally.

After years of painting romanticized European landscapes, a family vacation to Chicago, IL, sparked a new interest. She experienced the thrill of being a part of a maritime race by sailing between nautical giants, which sparked three new portfolios; Regatta, Marina, and Urban Marina. Ever since, her work has been inspired by views found on famous

American coasts and regattas. Chavez uses saturated colors and splattered paint to express the energy and joy that sailing brings to those who practice the sport. Her use of a palette knife causes the scenes to feel fresh, energetic, and powerful. The lack of detail on the boats and water gives the work a playful essence, an essence which is present while out on the water, rather than remaining static. Her experience sailing has taught her that water is in constant motion, and her work represents that.