Meet Ida Y. Robles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ida Y. Robles.

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?
My Art story began in 2003. I was in Federal prison serving a 5-year sentence. During my time there I became really good friends with a very special someone, she is also an artist. I saw a painting she did while there and I was blown away. I immediately was attracted to the idea, of painting!! Soon after, I started drawing images from magazines, models, singers, etc. I did that for many years. Fast forward to 2014, one evening my husband and I were taking a walk in this popular area in Ft Lauderdale, Fl. We walked past several art galleries. I saw this one particular painting and said to him “I can paint that” and he said to me, “then do it” and I did. At first, I was just painting images or other artwork, derivative, just to practice and find my style.

As I went along I started painting my own ideas and visions and over time I found my style and perfected it. I am still perfecting it, every day I learn something new. Once I started painting everything and anything Puerto Rico, I became even more passionate about art. I love painting my culture, and my people in my style, and my vision. I have been fortunate enough to participate in many art gallery showings with other artists and have been featured in a few magazine articles. I still have so much more to do. One day I would love to have my own art show, until then I will just keep creating and bringing life to my culture, mi gente linda, Puerto Rico.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been. Social media is the toughest obstacle for me. I cannot find a way to maneuver it to my advantage. My small success has been mainly through word of mouth and the very little exposure I do get through social media.

I can’t seem to grab any consistency, whether with sales of t-shirts, mugs, bags, etc or even prints of my art or original canvas pieces. But is doesn’t derail me, I love to create and paint, so I will continue to do it until…

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an Artist and I specialize in creating art that captures the beauty and the diversity that is Puerto Rico and the indigenous people of our island. I believe I am known for that exact thing, for painting my culture, my people, my ancestors “the Taínos”. Just the beauty and diversity of it all. I am proud of it all.

Art related, I don’t feel that I set any one thing or piece of art separate from each other. I am proud of every piece I create.

In life I am most proud of my daughters. They have grown into amazing young women, 33 and 28. They have learned lessons through my mistakes in life and thankfully have not been doomed to repeat them. My oldest is a Sergeant First Class, MP in the Army, living her best life, educated and responsible. And my youngest is also living her best life, also educated and responsible. Both are successful and happy women. They are who and what I am most proud of!!!

I feel that all artists are separate from each other. We all have a story to tell, a vision to bring to life, and a passion to share with the world. Me personally, if there is anything that may set me apart from others, is my Name and my style. Other than that, we are all One with different stories.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I just want to thank everyone and anyone that has taken notice of my art, who sees life in my art and who proudly has my art in their home. I can’t even begin to express the humility and love I feel when I see others who can also feel my vision and connect to my art Without them there would be no Ida Y. Robles, the Artist.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/idaroblesart
• Other: https://TikTok.com/@idaroblesart