Check me out on the FABULOUS Refinery29!!!

A very special thanks to photographer Jessica Pages and Refinery29 for my art and style feature!!!
Check it out!!! http://www.refinery29.com/miami-artist-talia-rodriguez

<3 <3 <3!!!!

These are a few of my favorite books...

I'd like to share with you my favorite reading list of '09...If you are looking for books that will make you laugh, cry or simply inspire you, check these out!


*Life of Pi- Yann Martel

Question the importance of life, religion and adventure and be reminded of true miracles.

*Circle of Friends- Maeve Binchy

Root for the underdog in love and be reminded of who your true friends are.

*The Lady and the Unicorn- Tracy Chevalier

A romantic story inspired by true-life 15th-century tapestries.

*The Girl with the Pearl Earring- Tracy Chevalier

If you love the painting, you'll love imagining how it was inspired.

*Toujours Provence-Peter Mayle

Makes you want to pack your bags and break some crusty bread and cheese with the French.

*Eat, Pray, Love- Elizabeth Gilbert

The title says it all...In my opinion, the 3 things that make the world go 'round.

*The Twilight Series- Stephenie Meyer

Even though I've only read 2 out of 4 books so as not to spoil the movies, I recognize a guilty pleasure when I see one...

*The Giving Tree-Shel Silverstein

A classic that reminds you that life is short but love is forever. Remember the moments that matter.

*Atonement- Ian McEwan

I'm a sucker for romantic dramas and this one took the cake. McEwan weaves a beautiful web of words.

*The Constant Princess-Philippa Gregory

Currently halfway through this intricate and mysterious story of Princess Katherine during her early Tudor years...It's become a quick favorite and I can't wait to read her other books...

All time faves...

Alice in Wonderland-Lewis Caroll

The Garden of Eden- Ernest Hemingway

Daphnis and Chloe-Illustrated by Marc Chagall

Bonjour Tristesse-Francoise Sagan

The Namesake-Jhumpa Lahiri

Have any good ones to recommend to me???

SHOOT MIAMI Show at ARTISTS AT THE FALLS Studio

Eager photography lovers packed the house at ARTISTS AT THE FALLS Studio Saturday night. Many came out to see the amazing work of SHOOT MIAMI'S Modern Architecture Photography show! The variety of color and black and white photographs opened everyone's eyes to the vast array of buildings Miami has to offer. A truly talented group of individuals brought together by Zizi Zabaneh, founder of the photography group. Come and see it next month in our December 4th Falls Art District Walk!! 7-10pm!

F.A.D. ART WALK!!

HAPPY TO BE ONE OF EIGHT STUDIO/GALLERIES OPENING THEIR DOORS TOMORROW, OCTOBER 16TH FROM 7-10PM FOR OUR FIRST FALLS ART DISTRICT (F.A.D.) ART WALK!!

JOIN US TOMORROW FOR A NIGHT OF ART, MUSIC AND CULTURE!!





I WILL BE PAINTING TO SOME LIVE MUSIC!



HAVE A GLASS OF WINE AND SEE THE WORLD THROUGH PAINT-COVERED GLASSES!!!
THEFALLSART@AOL.COM FOR MORE INFO!!!

Crazy summer '09

I haven't left the city but I've been "away" this summer on a wonderful experience of a lifetime. Getting picked as one of the 12 artists for the new reality ART show "Work of Genius" was something I never expected or saw for myself. With the show taping behind us, I eagerly await October 4th when the show will air on FOX and I will be part of a new breakthrough idea; a reality show with no negativity, no stupidity, no elimination, just positive energy and art, art, art. We "competed" but really, we made friends with each other, a group of artists from Miami, NYC and L.A. and collaborated on everything from murals to product designs and specific challenges. It has not sunk in yet that my art will reach viewers all over the world...But isn't that the point of art? To share it a million times over? I'm excited for my studio and for what this will bring to my students, how it will inspire others to realize art is for everyone and not just for high-priced galleries, how it will get people to get over it and just paint. I can't wait!!!
Check out www.workofgenius.net!!!

Coconut Grove Grapevine

GOT ANY HALLOWEEN PLANS?
THIS SOUNDS LIKE ONE YOU CAN'T MISS!
Coconut Grove Grapevine

Fashion that inspires...

This outfit is the embodiment of fashion for me as an artist. All my favorite elements come together from the stripes to the hat to the Indian-print skirt and boho bag. Love it. Love fashion. Love love love.

Abstract Series...More to come!

"The Phoenix"

"The Peacock Tree"

"Love of Fish and Bird"

"Red Fish Passion"

Self Portrait

Commissioned Doggie Portraits!

Dear Santa...

"All I want for Christmas is a bicycle,

A bicycle,

A bicycle.

Ohhhhhhhh,

All I want for Christmas is a bicycle,

A bicycle,

A bicycle."

If not...art supplies will suffice.

inspired at ART BASEL...

ART BASEL really impressed me this year. Usually it's a toss up...what with the strange and outrageous disguised as "art", I usually head straight for the classics...Marvelled by the Matisse sketches and Chagall gouaches and Picasso paintings...Those left me in awe, yet again, this year but I had some new favorites, too. Francesco Clemente's portraits sealed the deal for me...I've been a fan of his work ever since Ethan Hawke debuted his art as his own in "Great Expectations" but to see them in person brought new and utter appreciation to light. The people watching is my other favorite part of the night. The New Yorkers and the Europeans try to outdo each other with their fashionista-ways and I all but drool over the clothes. Fashion and art is the best combination since burgers and cheese! Go and see what I mean...meanwhile I'm inspired to do large scale portraits!!!

Portrait # 5

"Bejeweled"

85@85 Art Show

I'm happy to announce that I will be exhibiting my work along with 84 very talented artists at the 85@85 show in Miarte gallery! (http://www.miartegallery.com/ )!

The juried show opens next Friday Dec. 5th and will run through Feb. 2009. Each artist displays one unique piece, from painting to photography on a 20x20 canvas and all artwork is for sale. Should be a really nice show! Hope to see you all there!

85@85
3rd annual International Juried Exhibition
2008-2009 Exhibiting Artists --> -->
A unique group show now in its 3rd year, 85@85 is one of the most anticipated annual exhibitions of the Miami Art Season featuring 85 artists with works ranging from abstract to realism, from photography to oils, and everything in between. --> -->
Exhibition judged by: Angela Curreri, Barry University .
Juan Martinez, Ph.D., Florida International University

Portrait of Jessica

My first request...I only had to fly over to Austin to paint her! Thanks Jesi! ;)

P.S.

I haven't forgotten my portraits...I have two new ones that have yet to be photographed! ;)

A taste of India...

This weekend, I saw two Indian-flavored movies that tied in together more than I realized at the time...Netflix brought me the colorful treat of "The Darjeeling Limited", a movie about three brothers reunited and traveling through India in search of a spiritual connection after their father's death...I had a few favorite scenes but I especially enjoyed the intro...a mini-movie featuring Natalie Portman, one of the brothers and Paris...Today I saw "Rachel Getting Married" which I liked but found to be much darker than I expected. Under better circumstances (it gave me a nasty headache!) I'm sure I would have enjoyed the richness of the acting, etc. blah blah blah but all the family drama just made me nauseas! :P What did stay in my mind though, was the unique characters that made up the Indian-themed wedding party..from musicians to poets to eccentric, hippie-esque types expressing their love and celebration for the bride and groom. It had a very laid back, genuine, artistic vibe that I hope relives itself in my future wedding. Two movies...two different family losses...lots of color, music and intrigue. Inspiring.

Another "Vogue" inspiration!

"The Jeweled Headpiece"

Portrait # 4

"YELLOW ROSES"

New Painting over the weekend...

"PEACHES"

"Sun Falls on Autumn"

Had a great time painting this landscape for a charity auction...

Portrait a Day # 3

PORTRAIT A DAY #2

"Sad Eyes"

PORTRAIT A DAY # 1

"The Shroud"
I have a new goal! A portrait a day on a fat, chunky adorable canvas...Here is my first attempt...Enjoy! Would you like your portrait painted? Contact me!

October Thoughts...

The weather in Miami is FINALLY changing...a little bit. Today we had a perfect October day...cloudless, bright blue sky with a tinge of cold front mixed in there. It's supposed to drop even more (gasp!) by the middle of the week! So here's hoping for a crisp and cool All Hallow's Eve...I've got my pumpkins from the patch, my party plans and now I'm finishing up last minute touches to my costume! It's become a work of art and thanks to a couple of trips to the craft store and Goodwill (gold boots for $8! How lucky am I??), it's coming together! I have two actually! I am working on the second one, which was a favorite doll of mine growing up....SHE-RA, Princess of Power!!! The first one came out of my closet, with the help of a very funny, black beehive wig I ordered off the internet...Pictures to come later...I love Halloween!!!!

Aha!

I found this little bio on me from my Art Fusion Gallery Exhibition two years ago! It made me smile!!
"Talia likes to paint. In fact, so much so that she has decided to paint for a living… while occasionally teaching others to paint on the side. Ideally, she would love to paint the colorful people of the Mediterranean alongside the greats…Matisse, Chagall, Toulousse, Frida; just to name a few favorites…but alas, they are gone and Miami is her home. Luckily, Miami has proven to be a very unexpected yet welcomed muse and she is happy to find inspiration around every corner. Dreams, mermaids and love are three things she believes in with her whole heart and they tend to show up often in her artwork. She believes in the healing power of bright colors and makes sure to use them in most of her paintings. She has just opened her own painting studio from which she works, teaches and holds monthly art events at. Apart from art, she feels happiest when she is in love, in the ocean or amongst family and friends. She loves good eatin’, good laughs, great music, photography and fulfilling travel adventures. "

Thoughts on a painting holiday...

I've been back from my trip for exactly a week now....Time becomes a blur when you look back and reflect. The trip was full of expectations, some that were met, some that were exceeded and some that stopped short of success. A combination of all three makes for some interesting pictures!

I enjoyed myself at Holly Farm Painting Holiday in Wicklow, Ireland and would recommend it to anyone who wants a RELAXING weekend of painting with a very accommodating host. The food at his B&B was delicious and we drank tea to the nines!

Although Holly Farm made for a good start with beautiful views of the Irish countryside, I would like my next painting adventure to be a little more stimulating. A slap in the face from my French art teacher if I'm too conventional, a new painting friend with an exotic, unpronounceable name, a feeling of never wanting to come back home...

Next year, I hope to try my luck out in Provence, France where the old masters, Van Gogh, Matisse and Cezanne stole the lavender and golden light and locked it in their paintings...

'Til then I continue painting...seeking out the Muse within...

I'm off!

I'm heading to London tomorrow...a land of Mary Poppins and Peter Pan and Henry VIII and castles and queens and Portobello Road and fun!!!

And then, my dream come true...a painting holiday in Wicklow, Ireland!!! Wish me some Irish luck!

Toodle loo!

Love you all!

I like to paint wild faces...

inspired by VOGUE Italiano...

"Let them eat ART!"

I love love love all things Marie Antoinette. When I was 5 or 6 I drew her on napkins and on the back of my elementary progress reports. Last Halloween, I did my best job to embody her. She was the epitome of high fashion in an effortless, i-don't-care-what-you-think way. She was a sweet combination of unruly naivete' and utter, untouchable style. I want to be Marie. Or at least dress like her. And run around. In a French field. Eating cake of course. And drinking champagne. And painting my friends under a chandelier-lit tent. Stars reflecting off my jewels. The painting on the left was done by me and the other is a portrait of Marie's best friend done by Maira Kalman. Enjoy the decadence.

Countdown to a painting HOLIDAY...

I love how the Europeans call vacation "holiday". Now I can have the same privilege of saying so. I am embarking on a lifelong dream in a few weeks...A painting "holiday" in Wicklow, Ireland (same place from P.S. I Love You!). Aside from visiting London and Dublin first for some worldly inspiration, Wicklow will be where I put my brushes to work. Or play, more like it. My "satchel" is packed up with goodies; tiny tubes of travel paint, a handful of odd-sized chunky and thin canvases, sketchbooks galore, watercolor pencils from the 70's ,brand-new, loooong and elegant brushes and so much more to keep me busy. The biggest mishap would have to be a shortage of art supplies during a moment when awe-inspiring, Irish hillsides roll before me like a curvy hip on Matisse's odalisques, begging to be painted. I must be prepared. Marjorie is my travel mate, a loving friend since elementary school and someone who has shared my want for visiting Ireland since we were twelve. As a writer, I have no doubt that this trip will impact her as well. All will finally be a reality after 14 years...11 days and counting...

Picasso Pescado

Meet the studio's new fish...Picasso Pescado. He is definitely a little artist. Ever since I brought him home and put him in his new and stylish condo, he's been building a "bubble nest." Quite the little architect. We can all learn something from him. I believe as an artist that if your surroundings are not quite right, then your artwork won't be either. Make it your own, make it cozy, build a colorful and cozy bubble nest to nurture your creative soul!

My website is up and running!

Thanks to the wonderful and uber-talented Miss Jessica Pages and her boyfriend Bill Sallans, my art work has a home! Come visit at http://www.artbytalia.com/

Panchito and Talie

Ahh it's been a while since my last post....reason being I had no working digital camera...I hate my dependence on these things...Electronics are like relationships...when they are working you expect them to always work...perhaps you take them for granted...toss them around a bit, scratches ensue and lenses crack but you always expect them to be there for you. And then they stop working and you realize how much you need them...whether it be your ipod or tivo or a digital camera or especially, a boyfriend. Things seem to be working better around my neck of the woods but I hope I don't take them for granted.

Meanwhile, here are some mini-paintings I made of my adventures with my crazy rat terrier, Panchito. I'd like to turn them into a children's book...By coincidence, I had a really strange dream about him last night...But that's another post...Enjoy!

Cherish your loved ones...

After 94 years of a love-filled life, my Abuelito Raul closed his eyes today and went to be with God. He was an angel of a man, a smile never left his face and he would always squeeze my hand and tell me "Te quiero mucho." He loved simple pleasures; he entertained us as kids by making doves out of his handkerchiefs and he had a heartfelt, warm laugh with even kinder eyes. Once, when I was a child, he stopped me from killing a large, black ant on his front porch and told me they were small but good and they were God's creatures too. To this day I have never killed a large, black ant and I always think of him when I see them. That and doves.

If you look to your left, you will see two of my pieces being shown at the Windisch-Hunt Gallery in Coconut Grove. Lots of traffic coming through and hopefully the Grove can keep the gallery alive and happy. My fingers are crossed. The feeling of seeing your work on public walls never gets old. I'll be posting some new paintings of my illustrated series "Panchito and Me" for a childrens book I will be writing in the very-near future. I just need a new digital camera because to my shock and dismay, my months-old Kodak has a weird, internal ink splot all over the screen!!!!

Just in case you'd like to know...

I am: stronger than I look, spiritual, emotional, sentimental, artistic, sometimes right and sometimes wrong.
I think: the world is beautiful but won't last long if mtv keeps "educating" the future.
I know: I am blessed in family, friends, health and happiness.
I want: the ability to travel around the world with the snap of my fingers.
I have: artistic talent
I wish: I could use it everyday to it's full potential.
I hate: having to let go of my childhood but I embrace being an adult.
I miss: not being able to tell the difference between real and imagination.
I fear: for my future kids and the type of world they may live in.
I hear: footsteps in the other room...
I smell: rain.
I crave: warm, loving arms pulling me in for strong, unconditional kisses.
I search: out the good in everyone even if my judgement tells me otherwise.
I wonder: when i'll be married and have a lovely house and kids.
I pretend: less than I used to and wish I could pretend more.
I regret: anytime I wasn't myself.
I love: to bellydance, sing and paint my dreams. I love my dogs and how they love me.
I long: to paint abroad.
I believe: that God plans your destiny and if you follow your heart, you'll find it.
I dance: with my dog Panchito and he loves it.
I sing: chessy Celine Dion songs and wish I had an audience.
I cry: when I lose a little hope.
I write: this to understand myself better.

I'm a Career Woman!

Today I did CAREER DAY at my old elementary school. I found it quite surreal to talk to kids that were sitting where I sat 15-20 years ago! Nothing has changed...well...a few things but all the best things have remained. There is still a certain smell in the air, the cafeteria is frozen in time and despite the differences in the world today, the children are as innocent as I remember being. I was the visiting "Artist" today and they looked at me with wide eyes when I told them that their current art teacher used to be mine too. My first start with art. I remember my crayon shavings all over my desk and my teal mermaids and purple unicorns. They must have thought I was crazy (and old!) when I said "I loved this school! Enjoy it because time flies!" I felt like Billy Madison..."Stay in school...stay as looong as you can!" It was an amazing feeling to know that they were looking at me and thinking "I can grow up and be an artist too" and more amazing knowing it came true for me.

Have you heard of Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy? Maybe SARK sounds more familiar...It's impossible to miss her enchanting, multicolored, hand-drawn books. I was drawn to them years ago and was reminded today on how fun they are. Look out for them next time you are at the bookstore. They are magic. I read them and wish "Why didn't I think of that?" or at least write it down in a beautiful book. I love her quotes on creativity. You will too. Check out http://www.planetsark.com/ and be inspired!

My studio breathes new life...

The studio has definitely been a labor of love since I moved in a year ago..Fresh paint on the walls, new doors, furniture, knick-knacks, etc. and just recently, new lights and wood floors! The loft upstairs is finally starting to look like something! I can't wait to set up shop...hang up my paintings a la gallery style and get to work on some new pieces in my private studio corner. There are no excuses for not producing work like I know I should be doing (at least a new painting a day!) but I know the creativity will flow once I get my bohemian abode ready for action. I think your surroundings are everything. As an artist I believe that the lighting, the music, the temperature, the objects surrounding you have to be juuuuust right. One of my customer's recently told me that my place reminded her of an old art studio you would see in Italy, from the vibrant teal and coral walls softly buzzing from classical music to the rustic chairs adorned with books and glass vases. The Europeans sure had some amazing studios back in the day so I take that as a compliment. Now to get some work done!

It's a quiet and sleepy Monday night as I sit and contemplate...Bloop bloop bloop (dream bubble) I look out my tiny studio apartment in Paris, the one with the pretty flowerbox-window and in between quaint buildings illuminated by candlelit dinners and chandeliers, I see a glimmer of a sparkling Eiffel Tower. I turn back to my dwellings and see a glass, half full of course, of deep red wine and a half-eaten wheel of Camembert cheese. Nearby my easel holds a naked canvas, about to be draped in velvety crimsons and rich ochres. A chipped antique vase holds a bouquet of paintbrushes, some protruding taller than others, asking to be dipped in paint. Sigh...life is good." Bloop bloop bloop...

Look to others for inspiration...

Instead of stopping to smell the roses (do that too!), stop and see the artwork. There is so much of it all around you. I love this picture for so many reasons. Cesar, with his keen eyes, noticed it while walking through a park that I have been to many times. It's easy to miss but so wonderful if you can find it. Scribbled on a park bench with crayolas, I would hardly call it "grafitti". It is simply innocent yet meaningful. We had lunch at this park recently and sat right at this bench and found ourselves singing "All you need is love". I'm sure the person who wrote it had no idea two strangers would be inspired to sing the song that stems from this miniature "pop art". Perhaps it's a way of paying it forward, art-style. Create something somewhere and perhaps you will inspire someone else in the process.

My first blog...hurray!

How do I start this thing? My fingers are lightly trembling over the keyboard with anticipation...I have too much in my head...how do I get it all down? Is that why they call it "blog"? I sort of feel like that right now. Bloggggggg....Maybe because it's 12:13am and I have an uneasy restlessness. Blog sounds like clog. Like cloudy, brainless, uncertainty. The funny thing is I'm sort of going through a creative "blog" right now. It's been going on for much longer than I'd like to admit. I have a million ideas in my head and I want to paint them all and be instantly satisfied. So I start a painting but am quickly disillusioned when it does not turn out how I like it to look IMMEDIATELY. So I'm doing the new age, Oprah-loving, self-help thing; searching out books with titles like "Recapturing Your Childhood Creativity." and "How to STOP Thinking When You Are Painting." and some of them have worked...for about a minute. My sudden urge to create art comes to me at the weirdest, most inopportune times so I end up waiting for the right time which never exists and then guess what happens? More blog! Worse blog than before my self-help awakenings! Well I don't know how long that blog is going to continue but I know (or hope) that it's a temporary process all artists inevitably defeat and grow from. As for this blog, I say goodnight.