Artist Spotlight – Dorota Quiroz

Wanderlust

Dorota Quiroz (pronounced ‘key-rose’) is not just an artist; she is art. Her cozy yellow home is art, her black and white cat who greets me at the front door is art, and, sitting down and talking with her, it seems that the very air around Dorota is shimmering with art.

As she gives me a tour of her house, it’s impossible to choose a favorite of the works which cover every wall. Floor to ceiling, each surface is awash in colors, patterns, and intriguing scenes. I could stay here for hours, wondering at her seemingly endless inspirations, and wondering why no one told me decorating your house like this was an option.

Originally from Poland, Dorota grew up in a home which encouraged artistic expression. Her dad was a photographer and painter who inspired her to pick up a brush and give art a try. “It looked fun,” Dorota says. She was even allowed to paint on the walls in her family’s apartment.

When Dorota ended up moving to the United States, she brought her art with her. A companion for as long as she can remember, Dorota’s art has grown and evolved alongside her, and has always been a source of expression in her life. Classically trained with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from the Florida International University and a Masters in Art Education from SUNY, Oswego in New York, Dorota’s work began with a more traditional style. Over time, Dorota has learned the beauty in letting go. “I learned not to try to control it as much,” she explains. “Letting go allows an expressive quality.”

That release manifested a more abstract style with traditional notes. Portraiture, landscapes, florals, and abstracts, Dorota’s art often features a recognizable subject with an abstract element of patterns and repetitive designs. Vibrant and stunningly colorful, her canvas is often immense as she focuses on magnifying what is small and displaying the beauty she sees.

Color and size are two distinguishing elements of Dorota’s art. Often working with acrylics or oils, the material and colors she chooses are important for carrying her message. “Color is so important as an expression of emotion,” she says.

Her finished works are often in bold, lively, complimentary colors on large-scale backdrops. “I love the idea of the painting having power,” she says. “The size [of the canvas is] demanding it, as if it’s saying, ‘I’m important, pay attention to me.’”

With a love for world travel, Dorota is often inspired by the sights she sees. “I learn a lot by looking,” she explains. As she returns home, she reflects on her experiences, and those experiences often leading to the birth of a new art piece.

Having spent time in many foreign places, Dorota’s art reflects her admiration for different countries and cultures. “Everything is art, traveling just opens my view, you can find art everywhere,” she says.

An art teacher at Fort Moore, Dorota appreciates the inspiration she finds in studying art history and the works and lives of other artists. Japanese art has played a big role in inspiring Dorota’s work, with notes of inspiration from other artists such as Georgia O’Keefe, Fredia Kahlo, and perhaps even whispers of Warhol, her appreciation for the simplicity and style lending a vast array of expression.

And while Dorota’s art is multi-faceted in its exploration of what it is to be human, she finds herself drawn to representing women. From the powerful gaze of Medusa to the quiet, simple beauty she sees in a woman’s face, Dorota’s art depicts the journeys of women across the world and leaves an impression of reverence, admiration, and wonder.

As any artist can attest, the endless possibilities of each new creative project always include the possibility of failure. Dorota has found that even mistakes contain lessons to be learned. “Success is the experience of a lot of failures,” Dorota explains. “And in each finished painting, there’s a little story of failure.” She attests to the fact that mistakes, in retrospect, show growth. “I was not the same twenty years ago,” she says. And having a lifetime of her own art to look back on, Dorota is proud that she took the risk with each piece. “Give yourself the freedom to fail,” she encourages aspiring artists. “Many times the mistakes come out great.”

As Dorota moves into the new year, she anticipates exploring a more playful side with her art, and is working on ideas for a new series. In the meantime, make sure you catch her work at a few upcoming shows nearby.

The LaGrange Art Museum will be hosting its 5th regional art exhibit through April 20th, which will feature some of Dorota’s work. The Heritage Art Center in Columbus will feature Dorota in a solo artist exhibit from March 15 – 23, with more than 200 pieces and a multitude of styles. “Wanderlust and Art,” will contain a variety of Dorota’s work, with some of her largest pieces yet. “There will be something for everyone,” Dorota says. She plans to do two live paintings during the exhibit.

The world is undeniably a more colorful place with Dorota and her art in it, and our city is lucky for the opportunity to experience her work firsthand and get a glimpse of her vantage point as she travels the globe. To learn more about Dorota and her art, visit her website at dorotaquiroz.com and check out her social media @travelingartist4ever on Instagram.

By Natalie Downey