Today we’d like to introduce you to Luisa Otero-Prada
Hi Luisa, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story begins in Colombia South America, where I was born and raised in the Caribbean region. From a young age, I painted alongside my mother, surrounded by the beautiful artwork of my aunts at my maternal grandmother’s home. My aunt, Cecilia Prada, a graduated artist, founded the first children’s art academy in Medellín. I was fortunate to immerse myself in that academy for two years and during many teenage vacations. My childhood home was filled with books, and I spent countless hours captivated by both the stories and illustrations.
It’s impossible to share my story without mentioning the vibrant landscapes of my upbringing and the remarkable artisans in every small town. Colombia is a country of diverse nature, landscapes, and people. But most valuable to me is the heritage of pre-Columbian culture, showcasing design and beauty in everyday utilitarian objects. The richness and sophistication of these cultures have been passed down through generations, quite literally in the hands of our people. For me, there is so much to express in my paintings – so many feelings, images, and colors. I want to honor this heritage because it’s an essential part of who I am. Being a fusion of races and cultures it is an honor.
My parents have been very important figures in my life, my father, an architect, history enthusiast and storyteller, introduced me to chess and made math and algebra easy for me. I admire his charisma, his love for our homeland, and his forward-thinking vision. Inspired by him, I pursued architecture, where I enjoyed learning, designing, and exploring Colombia’s diverse regions. My mother, reseved and spiritual, who was ahead of her time creating a home filled with art, culture, and books from around the world, broadening our horizons from a young age.
Why am I here in the United States? While living here was never a dream, it became an option when I sought a diagnosis for my then three-year-old son Nicolas. Despite the excellent doctors and clinics in Colombia, his condition was unknown. So we moved to the U.S. in 2001, just ten days after 9/11, without a return ticket. Three years later, my son, Nico, was diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome. This diagnosis became a central part of my life. Prioritizing my son’s health, therapies, and schooling meant putting my architecture career on hold. In 2004, I remarried and moved to St. Louis. St. Louis has been wonderful for my son and me, and it’s the place we now call home. I am incredibly grateful for my husband Michael and his warm, welcoming family. During weekends, you could often find Nico, my stepsons, and me at St. Louis museums and parks. For me, the museums were welcoming friends, with many paintings reminding me of my mother’s art history books. As my son’s life stabilized, I found time for myself and began to paint. I used to say I would paint when I retired, but it seemed like it was time to retire to the rest of my life. In 2012, I decided to pursue art as a career, and in 2014, I created my company, Otero Prada LLC. I wanted to paint and connect with people, so I offered customized painting parties at homes, clubhouses, churches, and company retreats, as well as workshops for museums and festivals. Becoming more aware of my surroundings and my city, particularly during the Michael Brown events in 2014, I realized the importance of art as a tool for expressing social issues, opening conversations, and bringing people together. I became interested in the Community Arts Training at the Regional Arts Commission and was invited to the CAT place-based Ferguson-Dellwood-Berkley in 2016. This program has been one of the most valuable experiences of my life.
As a visual artist, I have participated in exhibitions in the St. Louis area, Chicago, and New Jersey. I’ve been a member of the St. Louis Artist Guild and am currently a member of Zuka Arts Guild and Latinx Arts STL. As a community artist, I’m involved in projects like Murals collaborating with other artists, served as an art facilitator for PEACE Weaving Wholeness a women and seniors support organization, I coordinated the Doors of North St. Louis project in 2020 . I was an Art Resident for Artscope from 2020 to 2022. I worked several times until today as a teaching artist, collaborator, and facilitator for the main art organizations in our region as the Contemporary Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, St. Louis Art Museum, Hispanic Festival, and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. I have been the Coordinator of the Youth Initiative Program for Bread and Roses Missouri since the summer of 2021. I was honored to be recognized as an Emerging Artist for the St. Louis Art Fair in 2022-2023 and to receive the Visionary Award for Community Impact Artist in 2024. Art is an essential part of my life, whether I’m creating and painting or working to bring the spark of an art experience to individuals or my community, all while sharing the cultural legacy of my ancestors that lives within me.
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?
Every experience offers a chance to learn, and the toughest ones require us to reflect on the lessons they hold. It’s certainly not easy, but I strive to embrace the things I cannot change, while also recognizing that I can influence many things if I truly want or need to.
Moving to a new country was challenging, but my focus on my son’s health and well-being helped me navigate it. My journey took an unexpected turn, revealing new perspectives and highlighting what truly matters in life. Leaving your homeland means leaving behind many things, and in my case, many good things. Immigration, even in the best scenarios, is not easy; is hard to leave behind what you know and love but is also exciting for the new doors that open for you in life.
Learning a new language takes time, and I still wish I had more opportunities to study and improve my English. However, you do what you must. In the meantime, I always say: take a deep breath, keep calm, and speak English!
Finding time for everything I want to do, especially painting, is a constant challenge for me!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I create vibrant artwork filled with flora and colorful abstractions. Inspired by nature, I especially love capturing the textures of leaves and the colors of flowers. One of my ongoing series, “Naturalized,” began with my paintings of plants from my home country that I recognized in St. Louis gardens.
My artistic intention is to create visual Magic Realism, finding the magic in the everyday through painting. I feel my work is unique and honest, I honor my roots and weave together the various threads of my life.
My work is driven by a deep passion for my career, encompassing several interconnected paths: my personal studio practice where I explore my artistic expression through painting; my community art engagements, where I collaborate with fellow artists to create and implement murals and special projects throughout St. Louis; and my commitment to highlighting the importance of art education for children and youth. In this role, I’ve partnered with organizations such as the Contemporary Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, St. Louis Art Museum, Sankofa Arts and Culture Village, and Peter and Paul Community Services, among others, as both an art facilitator and collaborator.
I am especially proud of my four years as the Youth Program Coordinator for Bread and Roses Missouri. This role has allowed me to foster and maintain valuable partnerships, expanding our Youth Initiative program to include up to 18 Recreation and Community centers across the city and county. Through this initiative, we serve as many as 600 young people with a dedicated team of 20 professional teaching artists and assistants in the Summer season, additionally we currently offer the program during after-school Spring and Fall sessions at four locations in the County
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Even in difficult circumstances, crises can inspire creative thinking. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I had the privilege of being an artist and coordinator for the “Doors of North STL” project with the PEACE Weaving Wholeness organization, led by Dr. Paulette Sankofa. Our project aimed to beautify the Old North neighborhood by painting the main doors of homes and apartments.
Over June and July of 2020, seven artists and I painted 30 doors. Despite the summer heat, we were grateful to be outside, painting and feeling the appreciation of the neighbors. Their distant words of encouragement motivated us to complete the task. In some cases, it was quite moving. At the end of the day, the residents, many of whom were seniors living alone, came out to admire our work, expressing their love and gratitude also from the distance.
Pricing:
- Original art from $300 to $5000
- Fine Art Prints available by order- prices vary by the size
- Commissioned Art and Portraits – prices vary by size and number of subjects
- Greeting Cards – Dozen $50 – Individual $ 6
- Postal Cards – Dozen $50 – Individual $6
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.oteroprada.com
- Instagram: oteropradaart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oteroprada
