Up, Close and Artsy with Ester Roi

Times of Youth: For those who don’t know about you and your work, can you tell us a little about yourself?

Ester Roi: My name is Ester Roi. I was born and raised in Italy. My father, a teacher, always nurtured my love for art and nature. There, I began my formal education with five years of art history, design and drawing. In my early twenties, I immigrated to California, United States where I studied art and graphic design in college.

I’m not a multi-tasker but a person who immerses herself with passion into one activity at a time. After working as a graphic designer, my art career took second place to raising a family. When time was right I returned to art in full force.

I’ve been a professional artist for about 10 years. One of my proudest accomplishments is the invention of the “Icarus Drawing Board”, a portable, electrically-heated board, which eases the blending and manipulation of wax-based drawing media (colored pencil, artist crayon and oil pastel).

I lead a simple life. I spend my days creating art in my studio and running my art related businesses. Whenever possible I take short trips or vacations to merge with nature and be inspired. My favorite hobbies are photography, gardening and playing piano.

Ester Roi: My art is characterized by brilliant colors and an ongoing fascination with natural objects surrounded or immersed in water. Some of my favorite subjects are the same ones I loved as a child: rocks, flowers and water. Water is purely magical to me; it’s the element that unifies all my work. I study rocks and flowers above and below the surface, and I meticulously record the visual changes that water imparts to their shapes and colors. I strive to capture the interplay between realistic images and their abstracted counterparts and to integrate them harmoniously.

Ester Roi: I grew up in Italy, a country where art is intrinsically connected with culture and history. However, it wasn’t until middle school that I developed a deep interest in art. I had an amazing teacher who was very supportive and inspiring; he really appreciated and encouraged my artistic talent.

Ester Roi: I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t dreaming of being an artist. Yet, it wasn’t until I came to the United States that I began envisioning the possibility of being one. I began working as a graphic designer in my early thirties but, only after raising my children, I became a professional artist.  I never wonder why it didn’t happen sooner; I just feel very grateful to be an artist now.

Times of Youth: Which of your projects are you most proud of and why?

Ester Roi: I’m proud of all my projects but especially fond of “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”. It’s a very complex artwork that depicts three stages of river pebbles: submerged, wet and dry pebbles.

Times of Youth: Where do you see yourself in next 5 years?

Ester Roi: Right here in my studio making art that hopefully will continue to connect with a growing number of collectors and fans from all over the world.

Times of Youth: What is one question nobody has ever asked you— that you wish they asked you?

Ester Roi: I wish people asked me how much effort I put in my art. There’s a misconception that talent doesn’t require hard work. It’s not true!

Ester Roi: After diligently developing your artistic skills, the most important thing is to find your own voice. There’s something unique about each human being; find what it is and express it through your art with passion. Once you reach your goals, be generous and kind to your fellow artists.

Times of Youth: Do tell us how fans & followers can contact you to share their appreciation/feedback/suggestions.

Ester Roi: Thank you, Times of Youth, it’s been a pleasure! Feel free to connect through the links below: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esterroiart Website: http://esterroi.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/icarusart My invention: http://icarusart.net/