Today we’d like to introduce you to Migdalia Quintana.
Hi Migdalia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Although my formal studies are in science, I was a professional photographer for 20 years. In December 2005, I decided to close my photography studio. Photography no longer awakened the passion I needed to continue living a purposeful life. I understood that this season had already ended because within me the passion for something more creative burned, something that was born from within me. I started taking painting classes in 2008.
I studied at the Old San Juan art league in Puerto Rico with some excellent teachers, then I took classes with another excellent Puerto Rican artist whom I admire, Luis Javier Torres, from whom I learned his color theory. That was my preparation, the other part, the most important comes from my Creator, Who gave me the talent.
In my first years in painting, I dedicated myself only to painting, writing, and exhibiting my work in different art centers, libraries, and government centers such as El Capitolio in Puerto Rico which has the Senate Gallery of Puerto Rican Art. In 2005, I moved to Illinois, to a city that was a suburb of Chicago, Oak Park. I had the opportunity to exhibit in the city as well as in another of the Chicago libraries.
In the year 2020 in the middle of the pandemic, I moved to Jacksonville, Florida. I never thought of having a permanent exhibition in a commercial place. The opportunity arose in March 2021 at The Avenues Mall in Jacksonville: Artis by Migdalia Quintana in the first Ievel. I have here the gallery, my workshop, and a place where I can teach to others different media such as painting and drawing techniques such as charcoal, colored pencils, and pastels.
As I had more time available to dedicate to art, I also began to work with watercolors where my new clients now have the opportunity to acquire original pieces of art at an excellent price.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I understand that when we are on the way to the fulfillment of our purpose, both triumphs and struggles are part of the process. both, the easy and the difficult propel us forward and make us grow if we take it with the right attitude.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I work mainly acrylic on canvas. My style is figurative. I also work on other media such as drawing with charcoal, pastel, Prismacolor pencils, and watercolor paintings.
Each artist has their style and each style has its followers. I know that like me there are other artists who paint the same theme as me, the difference may be the color, the style, or the message that the artwork carries. I could say that perhaps what differentiates me from others is the place where I am in the color and the theme.
Sacred art and Puerto Rico, the island to which I belong, are distinguished among the themes in my artworks.
What do you think about luck?
I don’t believe in luck but in opportunities.
There are opportunities that come that if we don’t take advantage of them they never come back. I moved to Jacksonville, Florida in the middle of a pandemic. One day, I visited the shopping center, I saw the facade of the place where my gallery is now and I said to myself: “My art gallery would be perfect there.”
I knocked on the “door”, understanding that if it was the will of God for my life, the door would open and it did. And when the doubts arose, I asked myself: “What do I want to do on the earth with the remaining years?” (I am turning 60 this year). The answer was obvious.
Contact Info:
- Email: pintoramigdalia@gmail.com
- Website: www.migdaliaquintana.com
- Instagram: artis.fl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artis.fl/
