Need to Know
Portrait
of an
Artist
The story of a passionate painter By Kelly Reynolds
A
s they experiment with fingerpaints and crayons, many children dream of a day when they become famous artists. Likewise, adults escape the stress of work and life by daydreaming about turning passions or hobbies into careers. For artist and United Development Company Senior Creative and Production Officer, Patric Rozario, childhood dreams have become his reality. Born in Kuala Lumpur, Rozario says he first realized his talent as a young child while being scolded by his parents and teachers for drawing on walls and using school supplies to practice his art. “My dad used to get furious with me,” explains Rozario. “I would finish up notebooks that he bought for me to practice my alphabets. I would fill up the entire notebook with drawings in just one day.” Describing himself as a “self-taught artist”, Rozario admits that he has always been compelled to draw and paint. He says becoming a “celebrated artist” was a childhood dream that was the mainstay of his youth. “My favorite bedtime stories that I insisted my mother read were the life stories of artists such as da Vinci and Michelangelo.”
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Need to Know
Patric Rozario (right) presenting a painting of Placido Domingo to the tenor himself.
While talent and determination have helped Rozario secure a comfortable lifestyle as a working artist, he confesses his family didn’t always endorse his career choice. The typecast associated with starving artists would create understandable concern for even the most accommodating parents. Rozario says that while his parents were supportive, they attempted to educate their young son about the realities associated with a career in the competitive world of the arts. “My parents were concerned about me taking too much time with art,” confesses Rozario. “They repeatedly attempted to convince me that there was no lucrative part in being an artist. I grew up believing that artists are people who sit in marketplaces and paint portraits - counting pennies at the end of the day.” The artist’s curriculum vitae contains an impressive listing of post-secondary education, including a post-graduate degree in communication management from the University of South Australia. However, the father of two young sons is quick to admit that he has received very little formal education for his talent. “I never did go to art school. I always learned from senior painters and visited art galleries and captured the essence of contemporary paintings,” he says. Predominantly choosing to work with acrylics, Rozario’s technique is uncommon in that he rarely uses primary draw-
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ings and prefers to paint solely on instinct. He says that while he prefers to work in a quiet place he is able to adapt to his environment. “Quietude is essential, but I prefer to work with music in the background,” states Rozario. “Sometimes I can paint in a very noisy marketplace or factory and am able to translate the noise in my brush strokes.” Rozario, who is available for commissioned work, says he usually sees the end product in his mind before he starts a piece. Still he admits to sometimes being surprised by what takes shape on his canvas. “Mostly I see the end product in my mind before I start. Many a times I had surprising shapes develop as I paint along and I go with the flow.” Rozario’s enthusiasm for his craft is obvious. He stresses that it’s important to him that people connect with his paintings. “I allow people to touch my paintings and connect (with them) as they run their fingers through the color, textures and patterns,” says Rozario. In February, Rozario enjoyed the unique honor of presenting a portrait he created in the likeness of Placido Domingo to the famous Spanish tenor himself. Perhaps best known for his affiliation with Luciano Pavarotti and Jose Carreras as The Three Tenors, the Grammy Award winner was in Doha to give a grand performance at The Pearl-Qatar.
Painting the portrait of a world famous opera star, who boasts over 100 records and is the recipient of an honorary knighthood from the British embassy, would be an intimidating experience for most. Rozario describes the event as a great opportunity. Adding he was surprised by the famous singer’s humility. Rozario acknowledges that it’s rare an artist has the opportunity to paint the portrait of a performer of Domingo’s caliber. He recognizes that it’s an even more rare experience for an artist to present his creation to the subject. “It’s rare to have the opportunity to paint a legend,” exclaims Rozario. Rozario recognizes that his painting of Domingo will likely have a prominent impact on his career as an artist. It’s evident the painter was personally impacted by his exposure to the famous tenor. “Minutes before he left for the airport Mr. Domingo came forward and put his arm around me,” explains Rozario. “He said to the photographer ‘let me have one more photograph with the artist’.” In recent years Rozario has enjoyed fame as a result of his pioneering work with thread. By adding thread to wet acrylic, Rozario explains the fluidity of the fabric gives shape and texture to his creations. “I am constantly experimenting with media and technique,”
explains Rozario. “Though thread is a solid material it becomes liquid the way I handle it.” When asked what advice he could offer aspiring artists, Rozario provided an abundance of thoughtful and considered suggestions that provide the proper mix of encouragement and realism. “Decide early if art will be a hobby or a profession,” he suggests. “Dare to dream. Do not be shy about putting a good price on your pieces.” The artist also urges hopeful artists to not limit themselves and to have the courage to be different. He adds that ideas are available “in abundance in places where normal people do not look”. Rozario’s passion for his craft is evident. Since arriving in Doha in 2005 he has completed several commissioned pieces, including over a dozen of The Pearl-Qatar. Different facets and precincts of the Island inspired all the paintings pictured in these pages; many are still available for purchase. Rozario is continuously honing his craft and has recently started experimenting with sculptures. He says he practices his skill almost every day, even if it is only to scribble in a note pad. He is thankful for the opportunity and platform provided by his employer, which enables him to practice his art. He explains that his paintings are about “happiness, celebrating life and having a good time”.
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