We recently connected with RODRIGO PEDROSA and have shared our conversation below.

RODRIGO, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

“After a ten-year therapy process, I realized that I was born to be an artist and that art is fundamental for my mental and physical balance as a result. I spent over 40 years completely detached from the world of art until I fully immersed myself in this profession. Today, I am professionally fulfilled. There were many years of mental blockage that could only be resolved through therapy. That’s why I am very grateful to my therapist Carlos Eduardo Leal and to my wife Ana, who always supported me in this transition.”

RODRIGO, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

“I have a degree in graphic design with a postgraduate degree in marketing. I worked for almost 30 years as an advertiser and entrepreneur in various different fields. During this period, I always had art as a parallel activity, but without much focus or dedication. At a certain point, I decided I would stop all the activities I was engaged in. I closed my advertising agency and fully immersed myself in the visual arts. In the beginning, it was very tough because I hadn’t planned for this transition and didn’t have any financial reserves. A family with a wife and two children depended on me, but this did not discourage me. I started my new career without any idea of where I would end up, and with determination, I pursued this dream. I spent several years facing financial difficulties, but with the full support of my wife, my younger brother, and my father, I managed to get through the toughest phase until I started teaching to balance my income a bit. After some time, and already with several students, I could venture into the market to introduce my work. The difficulty is immense for new artists to establish themselves, but thanks to God and a lot of personal effort, today I have four top-notch art galleries representing me, one of which is in New York, AMRM Gallery. I also entered the market of producing public monuments which bring me excellent financial returns. I work as a figurative expressionist sculptor and painter and have a mature original production today. I have held dozens of group and solo exhibitions and have works in Brazil and abroad. One thing that makes me very happy is being able to work with what I love the most and still have recognition from the market and my peers. I am convinced that pursuing our dreams is the best way to become happier individuals.”

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

“At the moment I decided to pursue a career as an artist, I closed my advertising agency and ended my source of income without any financial reserve. With two children and a wife, difficulties quickly presented themselves. I had to sell my car to pay off debts, and we went through several years of great financial hardship. I also spent several years trying to break into the market through representation by galleries that sell our work. There were dozens of closed doors and a lot of frustration until a gallery opened its doors to me. It was Lhuda Contemporary Art, owned by Ludwig Danielian. This helping hand truly gave me the confidence I needed to keep persisting. Today, I can affirm that my life is more financially balanced, and I can dedicate myself exclusively to art.”

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

“Undoubtedly, the freedom to do exactly what you desire and still be rewarded for it is the most amazing and rewarding thing about being an artist.”

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @rodrigopedrosaarte

Image Credits
Vanessa Machado