We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rona Siskind. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rona below.

Rona, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

I received my early training in drawing and painting as an adolescent at the Roslyn School of Painting, in Roslyn, New York. It was there that I not only developed a solid foundation in figurative art and cultivated a lasting appreciation for charcoal drawing and oil painting, but also realized that being an artist was an important part of my identity and what I loved most. By the time I was a senior in high school, I painted there four times a week and began to consider a future in art. As a result, I applied to art schools and universities with the intention of majoring in fine art.
The transition to university art courses, however, was challenging. I attended the art school at the University of Michigan but due to limited housing availability, I lived apart from other art students and didn’t feel part of an art community. One instructor’s extremely critical approach undermined my confidence, and being separated from the familiar environment and mentors of my earlier years, I lost faith in my abilities and future goals. I remember when I met with the Dean of the art school to discuss my decision to leave, he asked why I didn’t seek support sooner. At the time, I didn’t know there were resources available or people from whom I could seek guidance and counsel. Without a community to lean on, I felt very alone. I stayed at the University of Michigan but pursued a degree in social sciences and put any thoughts of an art career on hold. In fact, I stopped painting altogether. I later attended graduate school for a degree in public health and, although I returned to painting after about 10 years, it took many more years until it became a consistent practice. When my children were young, I made a deliberate effort to carve out time for drawing and painting and enrolled in weekly classes. Seeing the benefit in my well-being, self-identity, and even in my children who wanted to sit and draw with me, I realized I could never give it up again. I took drawing and painting classes, mostly in figure and portraiture for years, and continue to do so to this day.
Many years later, as I considered my retirement from a long and rewarding career in federal service, I decided to engage more deeply with the local art community. I wanted to paint more regularly than just in a weekly class or workshop and was thrilled to discover a vibrant network of artists, many of whom became valued colleagues and friends. My involvement led to organizing art exhibitions, attending shows, supporting peers, and exhibiting my work in juried shows throughout the region. I became more fully immersed in my art and the community and found renewed confidence and joy in it. I also began teaching drawing and painting to small groups, which I found highly rewarding. Having experienced both supportive instructors and one who shattered my confidence, I’m acutely aware of the impact a good teacher can have. I work hard to model myself after the educators who have encouraged and facilitated my growth and success.
Reflecting on my journey, I do occasionally wonder how my trajectory might have differed had I remained in art school. I find myself envious of artists with more traditional academic training and uninterrupted artistic practices, but also recognize that my path, while somewhat circuitous, has led me to a wonderful art community, friends, and incredible instructors who have shaped my current perspective and abilities. For that, I am very grateful.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m semi-retired from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at NIH where I worked for over 30 years in HIV communications and community engagement. I still work there on a part-time basis but now focus primarily on my art. I am a representational artist, working mainly in oil paint and charcoal, and mostly from life. I’m also the mother of two young adults of whom I am extremely proud and live with my husband in Silver Spring, Maryland.

In my figure and portraiture work, I strive for a likeness and attempt to capture a mood or feeling. I can be drawn to a particular gesture or movement that informs how I approach the whole piece; a model’s stillness, thoughtful gaze, or costume is enough to motivate and engage me. Working en plein air (which literally means “in the open air” or outdoors) has taught me to paint faster and more loosely. It’s impossible to get too fussy or focus on refining a painting as I race to capture the light and color before it changes or before weather conditions deteriorate. I love experiencing the outdoors through painting; I am fully present and acutely aware of my surroundings, trying to capture the beauty or scenic interest as well as the feeling it evokes. Painting outside also makes me keenly aware of nature’s true color and form and in that way enhances my studio landscapes.
For cityscape paintings, I use on-site studies and photos as references. I seek inspiration in sunlit buildings, rich colors, shapes, or street details. Searching for these urban scenes allows me to find beauty in unexpected places. Brushwork, composition, and color help me convey the scene in unique and interesting ways.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

For me, the best resources are other artists and the art community at large. It wasn’t until I found a community of artist friends and a local art organization that I became more connected and dedicated to my artistic journey. I find other artists to be a constant source of inspiration, encouragement, and support. They share valuable information about upcoming shows, materials, workshops, and classes. I was lucky to meet a wonderful group of fellow artists through a weekly figure and portrait class at the Yellow Barn Studio in Glen Echo, Maryland. We critique each other’s work and provide honest and constructive feedback, and encourage and motivate each other in a variety of ways. Whether simply asking about each other’s latest painting or meeting to paint plein air, it helps to know that others are curious about and encouraging of my work. I never had an art studio before but now share one with a fellow artist I met in class. Joining the Maryland Art Association (MAA), a local arts organization in Montgomery County, Maryland for visual arts and artists, was also instrumental to my artistic growth as it provided numerous opportunities to exhibit as well as organize and curate shows. It provided yet another way to meet other artists who willingly share their knowledge and expertise and helped me create a community that continues to nourish my artistic journey.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

As an artist I continually strive to be better. While I’m driven to have each painting or drawing be something I’d want to hang on the wall, I also recognize that many are just part of the learning process. My goal is to continually improve, learning to be more comfortable and confident in my approach and skills. I also want to continue sharing what I’ve learned from my extraordinary teachers with others who are just embarking on their artistic journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ronaleesiskind.com
• Instagram: @ronaleesiskind