By Andrea Martone
Paradise News Editor Andrea Martone interviewed two talented artists for this month.
Rosanna Devon Rodriguez
Where are you located (town/city)? And how long have you lived there?
I’ve been splitting my time between New York City and Tampa for the past five years.
Where did you live prior to coming to Florida? And what motivated you to move to the specific town you’re in?
I lived in Los Angeles and then New York City. I lived in Tampa as a kid, so the area and its beaches have always held a personal connection. About eight years ago, my mother’s health began to decline, and I gradually started dividing my time between NYC and Tampa to be closer to her – and to family and friends I have here. What began as a temporary re-rooting turned into a meaningful return.
What type of artist are you (medium)?
I’d describe myself as a visually articulate creative. My background is interior design, but my work spans across event design, event branding, and graphic storytelling. Whether it’s designing a home or crafting an immersive gathering, I approach every project as a visual narrative.
What distinguishes your work from others and what inspires you to create your work?
At the core, I’m in the business of creating an experience. I don’t just design spaces or events – I choreograph how people feel within them. Each project is inspired by its unique energy: the client’s story, the architecture, the intended emotion. Whether it’s a beachfront sanctuary or a multi-sensory corporate gala, I’m always asking: What will linger? What will be remembered? I look for the unexpected detail that transforms a moment from ordinary to unforgettable.
What (if any) awards or recognition have you received for your work?
I was at the top of my design program and placed second in a national interior design competition. My work has been featured in a couple of local publications. And going further back – one of my mixed media pieces was selected for exhibition at the Tampa Museum of Art while I was still in high school. Each of these milestones helped shape the creative path I walk today.
Do you have any permanent exhibits or artwork in any public areas or institutions or businesses?
Because of the nature of my work – interior design and event design – it doesn’t live in traditional exhibit spaces. But in many ways, the interiors and events themselves are the installation: an immersive living space or temporary and often large-scale event environment that lives in daily life, in memory and images long after the lights go down.
Please give me one or two sentences that tell me something about who you are and the passion you have for your work? (any anecdotal info is helpful). This quote helps the readers better understand who you are as an artist.
“Celebrate living” is my mantra. Whether it’s a beautifully staged home, a thoughtfully curated event, or even something as simple as a wrapped gift – I believe beauty and intentionality elevate our everyday lives. I art-direct everything. I’m driven by harmony, emotional resonance, and storytelling through design. Ultimately, I don’t just create visuals, I create moments worth remembering.
Contact the artist: Rosanna Devon Rodriguez
Business Name: Rosanna Devon Design
www.rosannadevon.com
rosannadevon@gmail.com
Transforming Nature Into Art: Gary Greer, Pod Sculptures
Creativity has always been an integral part of Gary Greer’s journey. A graduate of the renowned Kansas City Art Institute with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Gary launched his career as a commercial illustrator and designer. His exceptional talent and dedication have been recognized with over 60 Addy Awards for excellence in illustration and design.
His innovative Pod Sculptures have earned recognition in prestigious juried exhibitions, including the Florida CraftArt show, Mainsail Art Festival, St. Petersburg Fine Art Show, Art Harvest in Dunedin, and Gasparilla Festival of the Arts. Gary’s work has also been featured in Tampa Bay Magazine and celebrated during his tenure as an Artist in Residence at Marriott’s Art Ovation Hotel in Sarasota. Currently, several of his striking Pod Sculptures are on display at the Florida CraftArt Gallery in St. Petersburg.
Artist Statement
My Pod Sculptures are born from the natural beauty of palm tree pods, which I shape and refine using traditional wood-crafting techniques. Each pod’s unique texture and contour serve as my canvas, while the music in my studio infuses the process with added inspiration.
As I work, the forms and colors of each sculpture evoke memories of specific songs and artists, which inspire the titles of my creations. With a background in painting and wood working, I draw on my expertise to bring dynamic surfaces and textures to life in three-dimensional art.
Every sculpture embarks on a unique journey, shaped by the individual characteristics of the natural pod. This organic individuality results in artwork that is visually compelling and sparks conversations about its title and inspiration. Through my work, I aim to help others see the world differently – by transforming the beauty of nature into art.