Roberta Smigel creates artwork applying personalized techniques with encaustic wax and mixed media that translates into abstract forms of expression focusing on texture.  Her dynamic, dream-like compositions symbolize emotions reflected by the challenges she’s experienced over the span of her lifetime.

 

Residing in San Clemente, California, Roberta is influenced by coastal environments and textures that make up her world and help form her innovative abstractions. She provides a possibility to explore deeply, let go of performance, and relax into the creative process. The artist incorporates such diverse materials as wax, textiles, metals, cement, palm fronds, rice papers, and beach sand. Her imaginative use of materials positions her among leading contemporary artists who are exploring new artistic boundaries. Her engaging and tactile compositions are imbued with energetic, multi-layered, and symbolic qualities.

 

What clearly sets the artist’s work apart is her superb sense of composition, form, and intermixture concepts. She deliberately and gradually builds up several layers for each painting to achieve depth and tactical-like richness. Roberta’s expert overlays of different mediums, pigments and textures bring a sense of animated energy in a fluid and powerful style of her own.

 

Smigel graduated from San Jose State University with a BA in Public Relations. While working in global healthcare, marketing communications, and graphic design, she began formally studying painting and completed certification at UC San Diego in Art and the Creative Process; in addition to various fine art classes in Rochester, NY; Idyllwild, and Northern California. She subsequently resigned from Corporate America to devote herself to her life’s passion—creating art. 

 

Roberta’s artistic dream was diverted but not forgotten.

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Organizations

• International Encaustic Artists (IEA)

• Encaustic Art Institute

 

Education | Workshops

• San Jose State University, San Jose, CA.  BA, Public Relations and Communications

• UC San Diego, San Diego, CA. Art and the Creative Process Certification

• Idyllwild, CA.  Encaustic Wax Basics, Cari Hernandez

• Rochester, NY. Encaustic Wax and Metal/Cement Techniques, Kathryn Bezier and Erna de Vries

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