Fania Peña
Fania I Peña is a self-taught contemporary Puerto Rican artist currently living and working in Orlando, FL. She moved to Orlando 14 years ago where she had served as a pediatric Occupational Therapist and part-time artist. Fania focuses her work mainly on human figure and depicts emotions, social and cultural topics and everyday situations. Her style expresses the vibrant spirit of her culture and the Caribbean with harmonious compositions. Her favorite mediums are acrylic, oil and oil pastels.
Fania completed her studies in occupational therapy at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences campus and has served in the pediatric field for more than 21 years but her other passion since very young have been the arts. For many years she paused her artistic journey to focus on her career but in 2016 she returned to the canvas seeking a balance in her personal life and using this medium therapeutically.
Fania’s artwork has been presented in solo exhibitions at private venues and in several collective exhibitions throughout Central Florida. Her work has been displayed at Winter Garden Art Association, Osceola Arts and Casselberry City Hall. She had been chosen for group exhibitions celebrating Hispanic Heritage month in 2019 and 2021 at City Hall Orlando, Orange County Building and Seminole County Board of Education. She had also exhibited at City Arts Factory in Orlando, Downtown Orlando Public Library, and at the Orlando Museum of Art 1st Thursdays where she won the People’s Choice Award in March 2020. In 2021, Fania was interviewed twice in the morning TV show from Univision Orlando, Despierta Orlando, where she exhibited her artwork in the set for the whole month of May. She also participated in the climate change group exhibition “Earth’s Voice”, at the Orlando Science Fusion Gallery.
Artist Statement:
I have a passion for color and creative exploration. I have focused mostly on figurative abstract pieces and my paintings are usually inspired in stories, life experiences, emotions and
everything that makes us humans. I come to form the very colorful and culture-rich island, Puerto Rico and my art often reflects my own life and background. My favorite mediums are acrylics
and oils. I especially like to use natural raw linen for my paintings to create an interesting contrast with the colors and images while also creating a “fill the blank illusion”. That way the
viewers can interact, empathize and create their own stories as well. Since I’m also a pediatric occupational therapist I often use art as therapeutic tool.
I believe as an artist I have a big commitment with re-connecting people with each other and with ourselves; To create awareness and present different perspectives in times when
everything around us pushes us apart and tries to isolate us. I hope my art leads to small and large changes in attitudes and even society and I hope my role as an artist is to inspire, connect, and construct.
Email: Fpena13@hotmail.com
Instagram @fpenaartstudio
FB: Fania Pena Art Studio
