Today we’d like to introduce you to Irena Roman.
Irena, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I’m an illustrator, watercolorist, and educator living in Scituate, MA (but originally from Boston). As an only child I spent many wonderful hours amusing myself drawing. I always knew I wanted to be an artist, and remember being confused when other kids said they had no idea what they wanted to be when they grew up. I just assumed everyone knew! Even though that childhood experience of sitting alone in a room creating images was excellent prep for the life of an illustrator, when it came time to choose a major in art school, my pragmatic side chose art education. That only lasted a year though, after I casually wandered by chance into the illustration department at my college, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and switched my major immediately. (Ironically, teaching did eventually become a very important part of my life.
I’m currently a professor in the Illustration department at MassArt.) Not having taken many painting classes as an undergrad, I was more confident with dry, rather than wet media, so when I initially began freelancing, the jobs I got were generally limited to black and white editorial work for newspapers and magazines. It wasn’t until graduate school at Syracuse University seven years into my illustration career that I actually learned to paint. Everything expanded for me career-wise after that and I began working with a wide variety of national clients.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
Transparent watercolor has been my medium of choice for 20+ years, and for the past few years, creating both still life and figurative self-directed imagery has become my focus. I’m an award-winning signature member of The American Watercolor Society, The Transparent Watercolor Society of America and The New England Watercolor Society.
Currently I’m working on an on-going series of figurative, narrative portraits entitled “Second Wind” where I challenge stereotypical views of aging by focusing on the vitality and creativity of individuals who have found a new vocation; their active and passionate engagement with creative pursuits developed after the age of sixty-five.
My intention is to exemplify the grace and wisdom of those who possess a wealth of knowledge that can only be obtained through a lifetime of experience.
Ultimately, I’m most interested in uncovering the intangible, ethereal nature of whatever I paint or illustrate. In all my work, my aim is to create imagery that transcends “the subject” so that “it” becomes a vehicle for symbolism and conveys a sense of timelessness. I strive to preserve the fleeting illusion of presence and to maintain that exact moment of light when its alchemy transforms the familiar to the extraordinary. This pursuit is a constant moving target and a life-long quest!
What do you think it takes to be successful as an artist?
When I was an undergrad at MassArt, one of my professors offered this tidbit of wisdom: “The only ones who don’t make it in this business are those who quit.” So, I just kept going! Finding subject matter, you love and creating a body of work is essential. If you’re making images that you have a deep connection with you’ll discover your artistic voice. Lastly, competing with yourself rather than others is the most authentic way to become the best artist you can.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
From September 8-29, 20I8 I have a painting on display in the 2018 The Guild of Boston Artists Regional Juried Exhibition, 162 Newbury Street, Boston. And from September 16, 2018- January 13, 2019 one of my paintings will be on display in the New England Watercolor Society’s 2018 Biennial North American Juried Exhibition, Art Complex Museum, 189 Alden Street, Duxbury, MA.
I also show at Renjeau Galleries, Natick, MA (ongoing)
https://www.renjeau.com/artist/roman-irena/
Contact Info:
- Website: www.irenaroman.com
- Instagram: @irenaroman
- Facebook: fb.me/irenaromanwatercolor
Image Credit:
Irena Roman
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