We had the good fortune of connecting with Connie Lloveras and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Connie, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
I have always strived to keep in balance my multiple roles as mother, wife, and artist. The balance has changed over time because my roles have changed. At the beginning of my career, I balanced having small children and making sure I gave enough time to them while dedicating my time to my professional art career. I often had exhibitions and public art projects that required a lot of dedication but I always gave my family life top priority. I didn’t want my children to grow up and think I had missed out on any of their important moments. And in order to maintain a healthy marriage, we had to do a lot of teamwork. My husband has always been extremely supportive of my art career. We are going on 43 years of marriage. My children are all full grown, married and with children of their own. So now I have more time to dedicate to my painting.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am visual artist known for my paintings as well as my clay sculptures. I am also know for my public art installations. I graduated with a Fine Arts degree from Florida International University in Miami, Florida. Soon after that I joined the Barbara Gillman Gallery. This was the most important gallery representing Miami artists in 1981. I began having solo exhibitions locally and the United States and abroad. I also began working in Art in Public Places Projects. I guess I have gotten to where I am today because I have developed a unique style and I have been blessed that it has been recognized by people in the art world that have written about it and given me the opportunity to exhibit my work and have awarded me with public art projects. What I would like people to know about my work is that it is possible to have an art career and have family life as well. My work has often reflected the balancing of these roles.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to the Perez Art Museum and the Rubell Art Collection. I would take them to eat at the Key Club or Bayshore Club in Coconut Grove. I would take them to have breakfast at Le Bouchon in Coconut Grove. I would definitely take them to South Beach so they could have a taste of Miami’s Beaches. They can go shopping at Merrick Park in Coral Gables or Brickell City Centre. One of the nights they can go have dinner at the Red Fish Grill on the terrace overlooking the bay on Old Cutler Road. They can also rent bicycles and go on th bike trail on Old Cutler Road, I have just named a few of my favorite places but there is so much more tosee in Miami..
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Americas Collection, the gallery that represents me in Miami. I have ben with them for more that 25 years. The owner, Ramiro Ortiz as well as the gallery director, Silvia Ortiz have always been very supportive of my work. The owner owns several of my large works and has them in his permanent collectionas well as a public collection called Fundacion Gundian-Ortiz in Nicaragua.
Website: www.connielloveras.com
Image Credits
Mariano Costa-Peuser I certify that I own the own the rights to all of the photographs.