Vanessa Montenegro
Throughout the day, I work as a painter and in the afternoon, I serve as an art instructor. In the evenings, during the quiet hours, I shift my focus to writing and illustrating. I have a deep passion for art, which is evident in the fact that I always make sure to have a pencil and paper or a camera on hand. There’s so much beauty to capture each day. I particularly have a soft spot for nature and animals, which is one of the wonderful aspects of living in the Tampa area. On any given day, one might be captivated by the sight of a Great Blue Heron in flight or a beautiful sunset following an afternoon storm. Additionally, there are plenty of opportunities to explore places like Rogers Park or kayak to Anclote Key.
To some extent, I think I’ve always been an artist. I’ve been drawing since I was a little girl. One of my favorite aunts, a grand aunt to be exact, was a professional portrait artist. She was an inspiration as an artist and a model that I could make a living as an artist. I went with her and my mom to museums, galleries, and craft shows. If I was not drawing, I tended to my little zoo of animals. I love animals. I had dogs, cats, birds, chickens, turtles, fishes, rabbits, and any animal that needed rescuing. I thought of being a veterinarian for a while, but I wanted to become an artist in the end.
In college, I majored in art. I studied at MDCC and New World School of the Arts and worked as a gallery assistant at the MDCC Art Gallery. Later on, I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Florida International University. My goal was to do art restoration, maybe somewhere in Europe. I quickly discovered that I loved drawing, painting and animation more than restoration. While I was in school, the burgeoning revolution of digital art and animation caught my imagination. Remember the first time you saw Toy Story? I pursued graphic art, video, animation, and figure drawing classes. I wanted to learn how to draw people and learn how they move. A whole new world opened up for me. This is when I quit art school.
I come from a family of entrepreneurs, and something must have rubbed off. My passion is art, but I love business. What is a girl to do? I quit art to study business. I loved it and earned a degree in Finance and International Business. Still, I couldn’t help not wanting to do more art. So, I went back to art school and completed my art degree. Business and art were a perfect combination for me. Being my boss is wonderful. I have started my own graphic design company, opened my own art school, worked on commissions, and sold my artwork online and in galleries. I have participated in several art shows and won awards. I have been a member of several art groups. I became one of the two founders of a local art group and was a board member of the Coalition of Hispanic Artists. I also was a member of the Art Advisory Committee of Hillsborough County for three years. I participate in public art projects and call for artists.
About My Art
My art is constantly transforming. It has multiple personality syndrome. I don’t limit my art to one medium or style because I don’t like limitations to my imagination or what I want to say. I use the materials that best fit the subject or theme I am working on. I work with graphite, pastels, oils, and acrylics for the most part. I love to draw and paint with bright colors and fast lines, but when the subject asks for a smooth style, I just take my time and create a soft style. I like to show the energy, the movement, the light and shadow, precious moments, and why not also the fun stuff. The titles of my artwork are as important as the piece itself since they tell the story of the art. My subjects are people, animals, nature, sports and sometimes a social commentary.
Mail: [email protected]
Follow Vanessa’s Artist progress and Art Studio at https://www.facebook.com/vanessa.montenegro.artist
Follow her blog where you will find tips and ideas: http://vanessamontenegro.blogspot.com/2014/11/how-do-i-frame-my-own-artwork.html
Awards
First Place Award Florida State Fair, Tampa FL USA
First Place Award, Diaspora, Coalition of Hispanic Artist. Kotler Art Gallery, John F. Germany Public Library, Tampa, FL. USA 2019
First Place Award for Pastel, Florida State Fair, Tampa FL USA 2019
Honorable Mention for Pastel, Florida State Fair, Tampa FL USA 2019
Third Place Award, Hispanic Heritage Poster, Tampa, FL. USA 2018
Second Place Award, Hispanic Heritage Poster, Tampa, FL. USA 2017
Best In ShowAward, Westchase Artists Holiday Market, Tampa, FL. USA. 2015
Honorable Mention Award, Hodges Gallery, Art Center Manatee. Black & White Exhibit 2015
Honorable Mention Award, Tampa Bay Lighting Celebration of the Arts, Tampa, FL. USA. 2013
Honorable Mention Award,Tampa Bay Lighting Celebration of the Arts, Tampa, FL. USA. 2012
Second Place, Tampa Hispanic Heritage Poster, Tampa, FL. USA. 2017
Best In Show, Westchase Artists Holiday Market, Tampa, FL. USA. 2015
Honorable Mention, Black & White Exhibit at the Hodges Gallery at the Art Center Manatee, Bradenton, FL. USA. 2015
Honorable Mention, Tampa Bay Lighting Celebration of the Arts, Tampa, FL. USA. 2013
Honorable Mention, Tampa Bay Lighting Celebration of the Arts, Tampa, FL. USA. 2012
Spring Review Recognition, Department of Art and Art History, FIU, Miami, FL. USA. 2002
Women’s Caucus For the Arts Award, Miami, FL. USA.1996
Outstanding Art Award MDCC, Miami, FL. USA.1995
Frances Wolson Art Scholarship Award, Miami, FL. USA.1995
First Place Week Without Violence Chalk Talk Contest, MDCC, Miami, FL. USA. 1995
Mural, Art Department Miami Dade Community College, Miami, FL 1995
1st place (Ages 14-17) Tampa Hispanic Heritage poster Contest, Tampa, FL. USA. 1993
Current and Past Shows
Solo Shows
2020 Citrus Park Mall Pop Gallery, Citrus Park Mall, Tampa, FL USA
2019 Maureen B Gauzza Public Library, Tampa, FL USA
2019 The Gallery of Westfield Countryside Mall, Clearwater, FL USA
2017 John Brook Art Alcove, “Color, Light, and Motion,” Palm Harbor, FL. USA.
2016 Carrollwood Cultural Center Corridor Gallery, “Color, Light, and Motion,” Tampa, FL. USA.
2016 Upper Tampa Bay Library, “Color, Light, and Motion,” Tampa, FL. USA.
2012 Fifth Third Bank, Westchase Branch, “Art by Vanessa,” Tampa, FL. USA.
Group Shows2022 Florida State Fair, Tampa, FL. USA.
2021 Florida State Fair, Tampa, FL. USA.
2020 Florida State Fair – Plein Air competition, Tampa, FL. USA.
2019 Diaspora, Coalition of Hispanic Artist. Kotler Art Gallery, John F. Germany Public Library, Tampa, FL. USA.
2018 the Maureen B Gauzza Public Library, “Vanessa’s Art Studio Adult Student Show”, Tampa, FL. USA.
2019 Florida State Fair, Tampa FL USA
2018 Bloom Chalk Fest, Safety Harbor, FL. USA.
2017 Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, “42nd Annual International Miniature Art Show,” Tarpon Springs, FL. USA.
2016 Upper Tampa Bay Library, “Westchase Artists Society 10th Year Anniversary Show,” Tampa, FL. USA.
2016 Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, “41st Annual International Miniature Art Show,” Tarpon Springs, FL. USA.
2015 “The Exposure Award Nature Collection,” Paris, France.
2015 Hodges Gallery, Art Center Manatee, “Black & White Exhibit,” Bradenton, FL. USA.
2015 Tampa Art Museum, “FIVE BY FIVE Art Exhibition,” Tampa, FL. USA.
2015 Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, “40th Annual International Miniature Art Show,” Tarpon Springs, FL. USA.
2014 Upper Tampa Bay Library, “Expressions,” Tampa, FL. USA.
2014 Tampa Art Museum, “FIVE BY FIVE Art Exhibition,” Tampa, FL. USA.
2014 Amalie Arena, “Tampa Bay Lightning Celebration of the Arts,” Tampa, FL. USA.
2014 Creative Loafing Historic Ybor Square, “White & Bright Carnival Night,” Tampa, FL. USA.
2014 Westshore Countryside Mall, “100 plus Artists,” Clearwater, FL. USA.
2014 Dunedin Art Center, “39th Annual International Miniature Art Show,” Dunedin, FL. USA.
2013 Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, “38th Annual International Miniature Art Show,” Tarpon Springs, FL. USA.
2013 Tampa Bay Forum, “Tampa Bay Lightning Celebration of the Arts,” Tampa, FL. USA.
2013 Tampa Art Museum, “FIVE BY FIVE Art Exhibition,” Tampa, FL. USA.
2013 Carter Gallery, “Westchase Artists Show,” Tampa, FL. USA.
2012 Tampa Bay Forum, “Tampa Bay Lightning Celebration of the Arts,” Tampa, FL. USA.
2012 Museum of Science and Indrustry (MOSI), “Illusion Through Colors,” Tampa, FL. USA.
2012 Tampa Art Museum, “FIVE BY FIVE Art Exhibition,” Tampa, FL. USA
2012 1st Tampa Bay Lightning Celebration of the Arts, Tampa Bay Forum, Tampa, FL
2012 Illusion Through Colors, Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), Tampa, FL
2012 FIVE BY FIVE Art Exhibition, Tampa Art Museum, Tampa, FL
2012 Clearwater’s Dolphins, the Pod at Pier 60 Public Art exhibition, Clearwater, FL
2011 Get Wired, Cuban Sandwich Show, Hillsborough Community College, Tampa, FL
2010 Westchase Artists at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Tampa, FL
2010 Westchase Artists Show at Jewish Community Center, Tampa, FL
2010 “Tile Unveiling” at the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Library, Tampa, FL
2009 Christmas Morning in the Artist’s Studio, Clearwater, FL
2009 Quiet Conversations, Upper Tampa Bay Regional Library, Tampa FL
2009 Hillsborough County Visual Arts Alliance, Carrollwood Cultural Center, Tampa, FL
2009 The Great Art Escape” at the Oldsmar City Hall Art Gallery, Tampa, FL
2008 Art at the Speed of Life, Jacey Gallery, Tampa, FL
2008 Art After Dark, Tampa Museum, Tampa, FL
2008 “Color of Art” Exhibition, UTB Library, Tampa, FL
2008 Expressions of Westchase, Great Frame & Art, Tampa, FL
2007 Car And Art Show, The Auto Legend, Oldsmar, FL
2006 “Altars” at Latino Cultural Center, Dallas, TX
2005 Member Exhibition, The Art Center, St Petersburg, FL
2003 Fragments of a Bigger Picture, Two Women Show, Tessie Franzblau Gallery, Miami, FL
2003 La Réalité Délicate, Parlor de Suvito, Plantation, FL
2003 BFA, The Art Museum at Florida International University, Miami, FL
2003 Southern Shift, ASL Gallery University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL
2002 The Art Show, W-10 Temporary Gallery, FIU, Miami FL
2002 Annual FASA, Graham Center Gallery, Miami FL
2002 Annual Student Show, The Art Museum, FIU, Miami FL
2001 Printing Exhibit, Green Library and Graham Center, Miami FL
1998 Just Works, Española Way Art Center, Miami Beach, FL
1996 Annual Student Show, MDCC Gallery North, FL
1995 Metals, Commission of 36 x 7 feet mural, Art and Philosophy Department Miami Dade Community College, North Campus, Miami, FL
Public Art
2021 Cleawater Christmas Window Paitning, Cleawater, FL
2021 Cleawater Christmas Window Paitning, Cleawater, FL
2017 Renaissance Octopus Pedestrian Walk at Safety Harbor Marina, FL sponsored by the North Pinellas Cultural Alliance.
2017 Harrison, raising funds for Southeastern Guide Dogs. sponsored by Hercules Fence and Winston family.
2015 – 2016 Streetcar Sculptures 1 artLOUD! Streetcar Sculptures Installed in Downtown Tampa! This one theme is sailing. It was sponsored by Fairlead Commercial Real Estate, LLC
2015 – 2016 Streetcar Sculptures 2 artLOUD! Streetcar Sculptures. Thank you to CREW Tampa Bay for organizing this. Also, a big thank you to the sponsor Smolker, Bartlett, Loeb, Hinds & Sheppard, P.A. Thank you for selecting me to paint your artLOUD! streetcar.
2012 – current Triathlete Dolphin, City of Clearwater, Clearwater, FL
Publications:
“Good Sports” Tampa Magazines. August/September 2018 issue. Pages 54.
Mail: [email protected]
My Art Throught The Years!
