Today we’d like to introduce you to Rose Datoc Dall.
Hi Rose, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am a Filipino-American contemporary figurative painter, born in Washington, DC, and raised in Northern Virginia. I received my Bachelor of Fine Art in Fine Art Studio and Art History at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts (VCUArts) in 1990. After graduating, as a young married mother, I continued to paint contemporary figurative paintings. But when I started entering religious works into the triennial International Art Competition for the Church of Jesus Christ, my works starting gaining recognition. Over the next few International Art Competitions and after winning several Purchase Awards, my career painting these religious works really took off. And I have been painting these sacred works ever since, mostly based on the life of Christ, but painted with a contemporary sensibility, and from a woman’s point of view. The religious works are colorful with dynamic compositions. I consider these works to be personal commentaries, full of metaphors, poetry and symbolism, rather than to be straight-up illustrations. I think there is a growing audience with contemporary tastes who want faith-based artworks in their home and appreciate the alternative to hyper-realistic art.
In addition to subjects like the Life of Christ, the other figurative works that I paint are still considered to be of a spiritual nature, full of metaphors, and are often autobiographical.
We lived in Virginia, my home state, for most of our married life. My husband and I raised our four children in Virginia, but have since moved to Woodland Hills, Utah to be closer to our adult children and grandchildren.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road, as balancing a career as a wife and mother of four children has never been easy, in addition to health challenges. I had very early stages of breast cancer in 2014, which ground life to a halt for at least of year during surgeries. My husband was so supportive throughout, as were my children. I am currently clean of cancer; knock on wood.
I have also had chronic Lupus since 2005, which in the early years was hard to manage. The symptoms were arthritic pain in the joints, which was mildly debilitating, and which did affect my ability to work. But after years of trial and testing with diet and medication, I have been able to regulate symptoms and keep them under control.
Having a studio in the basement in our home in Virginia was never ideal. It was an awkward space. But now that my husband am I are empty-nesters with grown-up children and grandchildren, and we decided to buy a lot in the scenic mountainside community of Woodland Hills, Utah and to build our home closer to our children, with a studio and gallery as a part of the space. I am now enjoying a more fruitful season of painting.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My contemporary figurative works are full of bold unconventional colors. Unique compositions, dynamic lighting, with a high-key palette, and bold lines are my trademark. What sets my apart is my very contemporary design sensibility applied to religious or spiritual works.
I believe that my newest depictions of a more Semitic Christ have been a welcome change to those in my audience who are especially sensitive to proper racial representation. It was a big career risk to change after having painted Christ in the classic iconic fashion for 30 years, but it was a very personal decision, especially being an artist of color.
I am also known for my depictions of Heavenly Parents and Heavenly Mother, as they are rarely depicted together as the subject of Heavenly Mother has been such a taboo subject matter for years.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
My work is heavily informed by my love of cinematography, film-making and videography. I almost pursued a degree in film rather than Fine Art. Having said that, this love still informs my work today.
I also decided to try my first hand at architectural design. I designed our new home in Woodland Hills, UT. From concept to design, and with the help of a design firm, I was able to create an utterly unique space, with a 2-story art gallery in addition to a 2-story art studio as part of the house. We own the only Art Deco-inspired home in Woodland Hills.
Contact Info:
- Website: rosedatocdall.com
- Instagram: @rosedatocdall | @rosedatocdall_maquettes
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosedatocdallstudio
Image Credits
Main picture- Rose Datoc Dall standing in front of “Light in the Wilderness”
1- Rose Datoc Dall in her studio painting “Light in the Wilderness”
2- “Flight” by Rose Datoc Dall (Flight into Egypt)
3- “Bid Me Come Unto Thee by Rose Datoc Dall (Jesus & Peter Walking on Water)
4- “The Veil is Beginning to Burst” by Rose Datoc Dall (Heavenly Parents)
5- “Worlds Without Number by Rose Datoc Dall (Heavenly Parents organizing the heavens)
6- “Nativity Quadriptych” by Rose Datoc Dall (4 panel nativity)
7- Rose Datoc Dall painting the “Nativity Quadriptych”
8- “Water into Wine” by Rose Datoc Dall (Jesus and Mary and the miracle at Cana)
