Medina Roberts
“Painting for me is healing an expression and telling the story. My pain, my loves, my vision for fututre. I try to paint how I see things around me and how I feel about them. So many layers whenever I look… anywhere I look. So many colors, so much there. There’s no such thing just one tone or one color… so many tones to it. Seeing a contrast of power and poverty living together…”
-Medina Roberts
Medina picked up a paintbrush at the age of seven and never put it down. Given Medina’s family history, it was a natural step for her. She recalls, “Painting was the way I drew close to my artist father. He and my mother lived in Germany, while I lived with my grandparents in former Yugoslavia (Bosnia and Herzegovina). My parents had to leave the country to find work.”
Her talent and love for painting was recognized by her fifth grade teacher and school principal and it was then that Medina was presented with her very first art studio created from a storage room in the school that had been cleared out and replaced by art supplies and canvases all proviced by the school. By the age of ten Medina’s paintings had been entered into many juried shows and would win against college students, “They would hide my age to enter.” says Medina. Medina was recognized as the youngest talent in Oohed Macedonia… and then the war started.
Medina lived as a refugee in Germany for 9 years before applying for an immigration visa and choose to move to the United States of America “The Land of Opportunity”. When she arrived to the United States in 1999 she settled and took residence in Fredericksburg Virginia and became very active in the Fredericksburg Art community where her work was showcased at art openings at Gallery Studio A as well as private showings and receptions at the local restaurants.
With her creativity, Medina found her way “home.” In fact, she says that throughout the years, her art has captured not only her pain but also the loves in her life. It has also expressed who she hopes to become. Medina’s work has been featured in shows and exhibits from the time she was in middle school in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Throughout her life, she has also belonged to various art associations and clubs. But for Medina, art serves most importantly as a platform for her life’s message. Her work, she notes, “appeals to the world for justice and mercy. You will notice in Medina’s paintings the words “ONE LOVE” as she believes we are all in this together or the phrase from Pink Floyd “Wish You Were Here” Medina’s message for Mental illness -Addiction Awareness.
Shows Series:
- 2020 – City Center Series Red Studio Gallery Underground
- 2019 – One Love Series Red Studio Gallery Underground
- 2018 – 24 Hours DC Washington Brush Strokes Gallery
- 2008 – Pink World Breast Cancer Brush Strokes Gallery
- 2007 – Sensual Touch Series Brush Strokes Gallery
- 2006 Streets of Fredericksburg Gallery the Loft
- 2005 – Love Lifting Series Sports Health Club
Gallery Member Affiliation:
- Del Ray Artisans Alexandria, VA – Since 2022
- Gallery Underground Arlington, VA – Since 2020
- Red Studio – Arlington, VA
- Brush Strokes Gallery – Fredericksburg, VA – Since 2005
- Arlington Artist Alliance VA
In town? View showcased paintings at the above Galleries OR
and Schedule an appointment to view art by Medina Roberts.