This pet portrait painter gave up his career in IT to pursue his artistic dreams, finds Sara Mumtaz ▸
IMAGINE A LIFE where the heart’s desire paints the path to an exciting new reality. For Brazilian oil artist Marcelo Rocha, this imaginative journey became a vibrant existence. After two decades of navigating the world of IT, Marcelo said his goodbyes to the corporate arena; trading servers and codes for a more colourful canvas. His true calling? The captivating world of fine art, with an impassioned love for oil painting.
What started as a hobby to escape from the day-to-day work stress became a source of genuine joy in Marcelo’s life, enabling him to embrace big risks and dive head first into the world of creativity. “In my family, there’s absolutely no one who does any type of creative work. I only started painting and drawing when I was almost 40 years old.” But Marcelo fell in love with oil painting in such a way that he was ready to give everything up.
Soon, Marcelo knew it was time to take the plunge. He bid farewell to his lucrative job and fat paycheck to commit his life entirely to oil painting. Marcelo’s love for art not only motivated him to leave his job but to uproot his life in Brazil and embark on a new journey in New York. In the city that never sleeps, he delved deeper into his passion, honing his skills in drawing and oil painting; fully embracing his role as a dedicated student, immersing himself in the world of art.
The very first thing that Marcelo ever painted was an apple. “When I initially tried my hand at painting 10 years ago, I would copy other paintings that I found on Pinterest; anything that would capture my attention, I copied.” Now, over a decade later, Marcelo has painted over 200 commissions all around the globe including North America, Europe, East Asia and Australia. “My work is realistic but with an impressionistic touch, as I like very expressive brushstrokes.”
Among all subjects, portrait painting is what holds a special place in Marcelo’s heart. While he appreciates capturing human likenesses, there’s a unique affection for pet portraits. The spark ignited when he decided to paint his beloved dog, Sheik, and the joy comes, not only from the artistic process, but also from the extraordinary results. The sheer variety of colours, textures and shapes found in dogs enriches the painter’s canvas, resulting in something truly exceptional. Marcelo’s passion for pet portraits offers him creativ
