Today we’d like to introduce you to Rochelle Alves.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have loved painting and drawing for as long as I can remember. As a child, I was always drawn to art, especially portrait drawing. I’ve always enjoyed studying people’s faces and expressions and trying to capture their personality on paper or canvas.
About fifteen years ago, I discovered oil painting, and it quickly became my favorite medium. I fell in love with the richness of the colors, the texture, and the ability to create depth and life in a painting. Since then, oil painting has been a central part of my artistic journey.
Over the years, what started as a personal passion gradually grew into my business, Photos to Treasures, where I create custom paintings that turn meaningful photos into lasting works of art. My goal is to help people preserve special memories in a unique and personal way.
More recently, I have also discovered a love for painting wall murals. Murals allow me to create larger pieces that transform spaces and bring beauty and personality to a room.
For me, painting is more than just work—it is something that truly relaxes me and brings me joy. It allows me to express creativity while creating meaningful pieces that families can cherish for years to come.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like many artists, the journey hasn’t always been a smooth road. One of the challenges is that art is sometimes undervalued. In today’s world, people can easily turn to quick digital tools or AI-generated images that are fast and inexpensive, and that can make it difficult for original, hand-painted artwork to compete.
At times this can feel discouraging, because creating a painting requires many hours of focus, patience, and skill. However, I’ve learned that there will always be people who truly appreciate the uniqueness and emotional value of original art. A hand-painted portrait or mural carries a level of depth, personality, and meaning that simply cannot be replicated by a computer.
Rather than letting those challenges stop me, they’ve encouraged me to keep growing as an artist and to continue sharing the beauty of handmade artwork. When someone sees a finished painting and it reminds them of a special memory or person, it makes all the effort worthwhile.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As the artist behind Photos to Treasures, I specialize in custom oil paintings, particularly portraits created from meaningful photographs. My passion has always been capturing the personality, emotion, and story behind each image and transforming it into a timeless piece of art. I love working with families to preserve special memories—whether it’s a loved one, a child, a home, or a meaningful moment—through hand-painted artwork that can be cherished for generations.
In addition to portrait work, I have recently developed a strong passion for painting wall murals. Murals allow me to create larger, immersive pieces that transform a space and bring life, creativity, and personality to a room.
What I am most proud of is being able to take something that already means a lot to someone—a photograph or memory—and turn it into a unique, hand-painted piece that holds even deeper sentimental value. Each painting is carefully created with attention to detail, texture, and color, making every piece truly one-of-a-kind.
What sets my work apart is the personal connection behind it. Every painting is created by hand with patience, care, and artistic intention. In a world where so much is digital and automated, I believe there is something special about original artwork that carries the touch and heart of the artist.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my favorite childhood memories is watching my dad draw. He is an incredibly talented artist and mainly works with sketches. When we were kids, he would often draw funny caricatures of me, my siblings, and other family members. We would laugh so much seeing ourselves exaggerated in his drawings.
Those moments left a lasting impression on me. Seeing his creativity and talent inspired my own love for art at a young age. He has always been a big inspiration to me, and I truly cherish those memories. They are part of what sparked my passion for drawing and painting that continues to this day.
Pricing:
- Custom oil paintings start at $100
Contact Info:
- Website: https://photostotreasures.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/photostotreasures
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/photostotreasures
