This spring the Central Florida Climate Artists had an art show at Osceola Arts titled “Earth’s Voice: An Environmental Art Exhibit.” We are very grateful to Osceola Arts and their gallerist Marilyn Cortes Lovato for hosting this wonderful show. Due to a personal illness in the family, I was not able to promote this event as I should have, so now, better late than ever I am featuring some of the artists that participated on the art show.
Today, I interview Tania Torres, a local Orlando artist, originally from my native Puerto Rico, who is using her art to communicate about our changing climate.
Away from the Wildfire by Tania Torres (oil painting 24”x24”)
Below is my interview with her:
Michelle: I have always been drawn to the highly textured and impressionistic style in your pieces. Tell us more about your style and how you’ve arrived at it over the years.
Tania: I been painting over ten years; it all started with trying to make extra income while I was studying and to be able to provide for my daughter. I had an opportunity to be an exhibition “Culture through the Eyes” at Ana G Mendez University in 2015. I was a student at that time. The exhibition was an opportunity to grow where I met other artists and learned more about art. That is where my curiosity began, but now art is part of me every day. My style began developing when I saw my art as movements, and I identified with impressionist and expressionism as my muses. I love to add texture in some of my paintings. For me, it adds a feeling for how I feel in that moment with my painting.
Michelle: You participated in the Earth’s Voice environmental art show at Osceola Arts with an amazing piece: “Away from the fire” – oil on canvas 24”x24” (shown below). Please tell us more about your inspiration for this piece.
Tania: I participated in “Earth’s Voice: An environmental art show.” I love that my painting “Away from the fire” shown in the exhibit brings awareness. We are passionate about making a difference in our communities "On average, Florida experiences the second-highest number of wildfires in the nation." according to WUSF news. I’m my painting I felt moved by the California wildfire that every year get worse. I can’t even imagine how the people feel about it and how they have to leave their home as fast they can and start over. Firefighters feel overwhelmed trying to stop the wildfires, and some of them ended with severe PTSD. Some wildfire are made by human and other the global warming.
Michelle: How do you see your work evolving in the future? Do you have any plans to continue exploring these themes in the future? Any words for aspiring artists?
Tania: I see myself in the future continuing to paint landscapes. Nature, that’s where my heart goes to. If I have to be a voice in the future, count me in. I will say to artists to keep creating this is our legacy. I am so thankful to be able to be part of this art show.