Daily Inspiration: Meet Sheila Vultaggio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheila Vultaggio. 

Sheila, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Let’s see, I received my BFA with a business minor in 2012 from Georgia Southern University. After graduation, I was unsure where to begin my career so I decided to return for a second degree in Mechanical Design. This degree provided me with a steady income and a way forward to keep pursuing my passions.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Like for many emerging artists, it has not been a smooth road for me and it took a while to discover my own style. I had become more focused in my new technical career path that it was not until a year ago I decided I wanted to do more with my creativity. I began experimenting with various art techniques to see what would resonate with me most intuitively. After trial-and-error I eventually developed my brand and through this I began creating art that I was really enjoying.

The biggest challenge for me was carving out time and getting into a creative headspace. Working full-time in a technical field and then coming home to turn my brain on creatively was sometimes mentally exhausting. I’d carry on in my studio long into the night painting or studying up on art methods. I did this as much as I could throughout the week. My husband was and still is a huge help in supporting me in this path. I learned a lot about myself along the way and how to balance my time more efficiently.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Most notably, I specialize in abstract paintings with mixed media elements that are inspired by the serene seascapes from my early years living in Japan and South Korea. These have gained a lot of attention because it provides a peaceful aqueous aesthetic on my viewers. I incorporate small three-dimensional objects to establish texture and mood. Then, I apply a top resin coat to create depth.

Similarly to these seascapes, I am also proud of my series titled, “Kumi Blooms.” They are large-scale and time intensive pieces featuring bright overlapping color tones with sweeping floral processions. For me, they evoke warm memories of Okinawa Japan and serve as a reminder to never giving up on this passion.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Many people have come to appreciate the timeless feeling that can be expressed by “ocean art,” so my hope is to continue down this path bringing exciting new works. In the next 5-10 years I plan to enlarge the scale of my seascape pieces and incorporate a wider scope of mixed media. I had never thought I would have been painting with the materials I am currently using today, but through experimentation, I developed a style unique to me. In the future, I will continue to refine this process and challenge myself to discover new techniques and share them with my audience.

Contact Info:

• Email: srvultaggio.studio@gmail.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/sheilarose_fineart