Paula Rozov
Oriental, United States
Paula Rozov, an accomplished alla prima oil painter creates art that revolves around capturing the immediacy and raw emotion of first impressions. Based in a vibrant sailing town on the North Carolina coast, she draws inspiration from the dynamic energy of her surroundings, whether it’s the motion of racing sailboats or the quiet industry of trawlers returning with their catch. Her art reflects her commitment to preserving the essence of each moment with every stroke of her brush or knife.
Her work has been showcased in galleries, solo exhibitions, and juried shows across the globe and many of her pieces are held in museums, public as well as private collections. Through her evolving series, Paula explores themes of time, place, and the momentum of life, always striving to preserve the truth and vitality of her perceptions.
Artist Interview
Q: Can you walk us through your creative process, starting from how you develop an initial concept to how you decide a piece is finished? Is there a particular stage in the process you find most exciting or challenging?
A: I once read a wise commentary on composition – that it is like the plot to a story. If your composition/plot is not solid, your painting will not read well. I agree. To that end, I never start a painting until I can visualize the concept and layout. This guides the rest of the painting. It takes everything into account but not at a granular level. Ground, placement, color, texture – how much, how little, line – if I can see it, these are all there, but not in any precise or realistic way. Everything must contribute to the composition.
The most exciting time in my painting is the first appearance of the concept. The sketching in and washing in has the freshness that I strive to hang on to throughout the process. There's the challenge. So often, some time around the three quarter mark, all feels lost. I push through and will myself to make marks – right or wrong. This evolution has been the constant in my painting life, repeated thousands of times.
Q: How has your artistic style evolved since you first started painting? Are there any key experiences, personal milestones, or external influences that have shaped your approach over time?
A: For several years during my earliest art study, I focused on realistic drawing, mostly the human figure. As I began to paint, over time I learned many things about myself. I need a larger ground. I have a constant stirring inside me for looser feeling and rendering.