Featured Artist of the Month : Telagio Baptista Jun. 2017 | TheArtList - Art & Photo Calls for Visual Artists and Photographers.

Telagio Baptista

Marysville, CA

My passion for the arts started early. Before adulthood, I performed as a Concert Master Violinist for a symphony as well as being gifted with a skillful hand in drawing that led to painting in watercolor. This is why watercolor painting was and still is a masters medium of choice and has become the very challenge that inspires me.

How and when did you start creating art?

I began winning national poster awards in high school which resulted in being awarded a scholarship to an art college. Throughout adulthood, I worked with numerous leading advertising agencies as an Art Director. I also owned an award-winning design studio in Hawaii for many years.

What media and genres do you work in?

With watercolor being my primary focus, I lean towards portraits, figure, and cityscapes as these are the very subjects that offer various planes that are affected by light and shadow.

Who or what are your influences?

While attending California College of Arts Crafts (CCAC) the late George Post, watercolor instructor, awakened my attention to the magical and exotic medium.

What was your inspiration for Capitol Hill?

A friend had taken this photo at night. This view captivated my emotional connection as it contained the element of a foreward, middle and background planes as well as activity and movement.

Describe your creative process?

My focus is in color harmony using a limited palette. I also believe the eye should have a resting place while viewing my paintings without distracting backgrounds. This allows my watercolors to bring a sense of subject connection, and emotion impact to the viewer.

What are you working on currently?

I'm painting a young child struggling to climb onto a deck that leads into a doorway. It brought a chuckle of childhood memories to mind for me, as for anyone who was a child and remembers those young times when the world was so big and the challenge was so strong to make that climb.

What are your near/long term goals as an artist?

As a multiple award-winning watercolor artist, I will remain quite active in juried regional and international art shows as well as continue conducting watercolor workshops.