Luxury Guide: Miami Winter 2021-2022

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Everybody Needs a Rock. Who or What Is Yours?

In 2001, Restelli and her husband Carlos Melo moved to Miami from Argentina to expand the legacy of their successful 50-year- old construction company. Shortly after, she was pregnant in a new city—a new home, leaving everything behind that was familiar to her. She openly shares that she joyfully spent many years as a loving wife, mother of two, daughter and friend. And while she was living a happy and fulfilled life, it was evident that while her world felt so complete, there was one thing missing: her rock, her own identity. She found this in her passion and love for art, and so her journey continues. I spoke with Restelli to learn what inspired her to do this series and its meaning to her. What does your artwork mean to you? My art is my rock, that special thing that means the world to me. It is my identity, my sense of self, my way to recharge my soul. Describe your inspiration behind the series Everybody Needs a Rock . The first painting of rocks was the result of the exploration of reflective surfaces. I found a photo of beautiful river rocks that captivated me, semi-submerged in water with many reflections and colors. I didn’t know that I would do a whole series about them at that time, but that one painting opened an entire universe of possibilities. Rocks are fascinating—their many characteristics, colors, sizes, shapes and textures allow different expressions and interpretations. They bring endless creative opportunities. How did you come up with the title of your series? A friend of mine felt compelled to gift me a book as soon as she saw one of my early works, a book for children called Everybody Needs a Rock by Bird Baylor. The book empowers children to come up with ways to find their special rock. The author is very particular about enforcing that nobody can help you pick your rock, it must be your own unique, special thing. If we translate that notion into our daily lives, we all need to find that special rock. That thing that is unique to you and turns into your identity. For me, that’s my painting. Nothing ever sounded more appropriate than this title for my new series. How do you think art is important to our society? Art, as a creative process, is vital for our well-being on an individual basis. What is good for an individual is good for society as a whole. I believe that everybody should practice some form of artistic expression, which does not necessarily have to be painting. We are all creative and curious by nature as children but get closed up in a box as adults. Creative and curious minds bring creative and new solutions to the world, which is vital to society. Any advice for our readers? Find your rock—something that is unique to you. It can be anything: a place, a person, a ritual or an activity that feeds your soul; something that gives you satisfaction, self-worth and self-esteem. This is particularly true among women, who are innate caregivers, and sometimes forget how important it is to take care of ourselves too. Read our full interview with Lara Restelli at luxuryguideusa.com

In the Studio With Lara Restelli Contemporary Realism

BY LYNETTE JANAC

When I first learned about the series Everybody Needs a Rock by artist Lara Restelli, my immediate translation was to think of when we are faced with life’s inevitable challenges and how important it is that we all have a “rock”—someone or something to lean on and lift us to keep going. After speaking with Restelli and learning about her inspiration and meaning behind the title, it gave me goosebumps. After many years of purchasing art from an aesthetic point of view, for the first time I had connected with art on a deeper, emotional level—something I always admired but never really understood that art aficionados do. It gave me a newfound appreciation for art, and artists and art enthusiasts alike. What I find fascinating is how we can all be looking at the same configuration, but what appears on the other side of our visual lens can mean something unique to each one of us.

PHOTOS BY VERONICA RUIZ RUSSO

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