Today we’d like to introduce you to Claudia Restrepo.
Hi Claudia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was Born and raised in Medellin – Colombia. My life changed when I begin to travel in South America, I conect with the jungles and indigenous people, I found Peace and Joy with Nature, also I started to learn about the power of the plants in a Nature Reserve in the Caribe, that was awsome, my experience with nature has inspired me the most. Because of nature, I became a painter. I was using different materials and tools and my own understanding of artistic techniques to create each piece of artwork, I was feeling so good and so inspired, then I understood that I found my path in life,
I did my first art exhibit in Medellin and everyone liked and support me, I sold 12 of 15 pieces in less than a month, that was a very good feeling to keep going, to keep painting. After that, I have the opportunity to come to USA and exhibit my art in several states and people have been very supportive and they like my art too :). I am so grateful about that every day. I keep learning different art techniques and keep inspired with Atlanta Nature and Parks, Atlanta put in my life wonderful people, I met and married my favorite artist and person Gregory Christie, he always encouraged me to keep doing art, I have been learned so much from him, we love to travel and checkout art in every place we go, is amazing to see that many different cultures and landscapes in this country.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Travel alone is the biges challenge, it was not easy. I have to learn to be alone and acept my self as a woman, as a mother, and forgive myself from all the negative experiences from the past. Pushing my self to different cultures and idioms helps me to keep conected, to have compassion and take out preconcepts. For me obstacles are the best teachers to grow and be a better person, also it serves as inspiration. We need to be in the present moment, and see the little details of life. open our mind, stay positive and be grateful.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I did not graduete from an art school, so I feel free to experiment without rules. Sometimes I use organic materials like blood, plants and fibers, As I start painting the images appear, so I paint it. When you paint with emotion and the energy around you, that makes it special and hard to copy. Sometimes, when I try to paint the same piece it is impossible. Now I’m working on my first children book, and I’ve also created a cover for a music CD called ” Sketches of Love”. One of my favorite things is teach art to kids, they always show us how to be free. On my free time I feel the need of recicle and help the enviroment, so I reuse textiles and redesign clothes as a hobby, I will say that My art shows what appears to be a divine connection between mankind and nature. Also in the belt line you can find one of my murals
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up in a family in wich the concept of women was very outdated, that brought me many problems, because I was not willing to accept that destiny, where the woman was good only to serve, I was the only female daughter between two brothers, the truth is that I didn’t like being a woman, everyone gave me orders, orders that I didn’t was going to follow, so I didn’t fit in. at the same time growing up in Medellin was not easy, it was the times of “Pablo Escobar”. The city was in chaos, I lost many friends. The Sicarios hang out in my school, none can stop them. but at the same time the city was full of artistic activities and education programs that was made to keep off the kids from the streets and off from the influece of the narcos, I joined this programs and I really learned a lot and I got several degres in diferent areas, also I became a mom at the age of 17, that was crazy and beautiful at the same time and that didn’t stop me to keep studying, my kids give me the corauge and the love that I need. I worked in an accounting office and did craft as a hobby, I volunteered at my kids” school, helping the teachers with craft classes. After that, I volunteered in an art program for juveniles in rehabilitation. Sharing knowledge always makes me happy.
Contact Info:
- Email: claudiarestrepoart@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claudiarestrepoart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NatureFineArtClaudiaRestrepo/?ref=pages_you_manage
Image Credits
credit to @claudiarestrepoart
