MEMBER FEATURE:

Our monthly Member Feature aims to showcase the talent that occupies our buildings and celebrate their work.

This month, we had the pleasure of interviewing Rockella Space Member Beatriz Williams, a talented painter whose work explores deep connections to her birthplace, Puerto Rico. Based at One Eyed Studios, Williams uses her art as a bridge between personal history and cultural identity.

Beatriz Williams (b. 1994, Guaynabo, PR) grew up in Westchester, NY. Her art explores themes around identity, personal heritage, and connection to the earth. Her use of vivid color creates a rich dialogue that merges nature and portraiture.

Williams earned a Bachelor of Arts in the History of Art with minors in Psychology and Visual Arts from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD (2016). She has studied art at institutions such as the Art Students League of New York (2014) and the Marchutz School for Fine Arts in Aix-en-Provence, France (2015). In 2019, she completed a Master’s Degree in Art Therapy at New York University.

Her first exhibition, Femme Nouvelle, debuted at 212Arts Gallery, NY (2017), followed by Del Patio de Mi Titi at On the Fringe Gallery, NYC (2024). Williams currently lives and works in Brooklyn, NY, as an artist and model.

To learn more about the creatives who call Rockella Space home, head over to the People page for a full list of in-depth interviews.

Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Beatriz Williams, and I am a painter. I was born in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, and moved to New York when I was four. I grew up in Armonk, a small town just north of the city, with my parents, older brother and younger sister and grandmother. From a young age, my siblings and I were always encouraged to explore creative expression. My artistic practice is rooted in self-reflection and a connection to the natural world.

How long have you been at Rockella Space and what is your favorite thing about having a studio at One Eyed Studios?

I’ve been fortunate to have a studio at Rockella Space for nearly two years now, and it’s become a sanctuary for me—a space where I can immerse myself fully in my creativity. The natural light in my studio is especially important and the calm atmosphere at Rockella helps my artistic process.

Have you connected and/or created a community with any other artists in the building?

I had the opportunity to participate in Rockella’s open studio event in November, which coincided with the exhibition Presence//Absence, also at Rockella, where I showcased two of my pieces. It was an incredible weekend that allowed me to connect with other talented artists in the building. On regular days, it can be challenging to meet new people since everyone is immersed in their own work. However, the open studio and exhibition event provided a chance to step into others’ spaces and catch a glimpse of their unique creative worlds.

Tell us about your work. What inspires you to create the work that you do?

My work explores the complexity of my identity through a diasporic lens. Primarily working in acrylics on canvas, I aim to capture the profound ancestral connection embedded in the land. I’m inspired by the inherent oneness of all creation and the idea of dissolving boundaries between humans and nature.

How has your upbringing in Puerto Rico and New York shaped the themes and imagery in your paintings?

Growing up in the suburbs of NYC, I rarely found myself surrounded by people who shared a similar cultural heritage. I often felt caught between two worlds—belonging to both, yet not fully at home in either. This feeling sparked a journey of self-discovery, driving me to reflect a deeper connection to my roots. In this way, dreaming of Puerto Rico and finding ways to stay connected has become a profound source of inspiration for my work.

Your series Del Patio De Mi Titi delves into ancestral ties and natural landscapes. Can you share the story behind this series and how it reflects your heritage?

‘Del Patio De Mi Titi’ , translating to “From My Aunt’s Backyard,” offers a glimpse into my nostalgia for a place I’ve only ever known only in fragments. Portraits of my family members are woven into the landscape, highlighting the ancestral connection I see accessible through the land itself. My family still resides in Puerto Rico, where generations before us laid the foundation for the roots we build on today. Though I grew up far away, I’m incredibly inspired by the island’s beauty and my family’s history there.

Many of your works incorporate elements of the natural world. What inspires this connection between human identity and the environment in your art?

At the heart of my work lies the belief that the natural world and humanity are not separate, despite the distinctions we often make. Through my art, I aim to convey that there is no true separation—we come from the land, and to it we shall return. It’s about honoring this connection, a reminder that treating the earth with love and respect is, in turn, treating ourselves the same way (and vice versa).

With your Master’s degree in Art Therapy from NYU, how do you integrate therapeutic elements into your creative process, if at all?

Art therapy is about providing individuals with a safe space for self-exploration and reflection. Every time I step into my studio, I try to approach myself with the same tenderness I would offer a client, reminding myself that art has the power to heal if I give myself the space to truly explore with an open mind-frame. Perfectionistic tendencies and self-criticism can easily have the power to hinder my creativity, but the lessons I’ve gained from my experiences studying and practicing art therapy continue to guide me through self-imposed limitations. In this way, I’ve been able to explore deeper, more authentic aspects of myself through my work.

What draws you to acrylic as your primary medium, and how do you approach balancing color, texture, and form in your compositions?

Many people find acrylic paint to be an unforgiving medium, but I really appreciate its flexibility, especially when it comes to creating depth through layering in a short amount of time. The quick drying time allows me to work efficiently. I enjoy using bright colors and always rely on color theory as my guiding principle in approaching any work. I try to create a dreamlike quality through the color combinations and stylistic choices within each piece. I also try to blend multiple visual styles to create a rich composition.

How does Puerto Rican culture influence your artistic style and subject matter? Are there specific cultural symbols or narratives you aim to highlight?

A core aspect of Puerto Rican culture that I aim to convey through my work is a deep sense of national pride. The love Puerto Ricans feel for the island profoundly influences my approach, guiding me to depict it in a way that invites others to feel that same sense of admiration for it. The cultural symbols I draw upon stem from Puerto Rico’s vibrant natural world—such as green plantains, banana leaves, coconuts, and the island’s captivating landscapes—and play a central role in my work. My art captures sentiments of nostalgia, longing, and connection to a place that was once home. This is a narrative that I believe many people living in America might be able to relate to.

How have your studies at institutions like Johns Hopkins, the Art Students League of New York, and the Marchutz School in France contributed to your artistic evolution?

My journey studying art has been a bit unconventional. I began at Johns Hopkins University as a pre-med student with a major in Art History. By my second year, it became clear that pre-med was not the right path for me. Once I shifted away from science courses, I had more time to focus on other interests, which allowed me to study at the Center for Visual Arts at JHU. I took as many art classes as I could each semester, leading me to double minor in Visual Art and Psychology. Though Hopkins isn’t known for its arts program, it offered an exceptional experience with incredible professors like Craig Hankin and Barbara Gruber, who I had the pleasure of learning from. I gained foundational skills in observation, color theory and composition and was exposed to a range of techniques, sparking a greater desire to pursue artistic development on my summer breaks. This led me to study at the Art Students League of New York and Marchutz. At the ASL, I focused on live figure drawing, developing my skills in rendering proportion, while at Marchutz, I explored the stunning landscapes of the south of France. The emphasis on capturing light in painting is something that has always stayed with me from my time abroad. Each of these programs allowed me to explore different techniques that have become fundamental to my practice today.

Your work was recently shown at Presence//Absence, an exhibition curator by Rockella Space Member Britt Harrrison. What has been the most rewarding or challenging aspect of exhibiting your art?

The most rewarding aspect of exhibiting my art is having the opportunity to witness people experience my work for the first time. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see the memories and emotions my work can evoke in others, and to connect with others over their personal experiences. On the other hand, a challenge of exhibiting my work is speaking about it in front of larger crowds. As an introvert, public speaking is tough for me, but I try to actively push myself out of my comfort zone and practice this skill when I can. I remind myself that no one can articulate my work better than I can, and each time I do, I’m grateful for the experience and the positive response my words receive.

What themes or projects are you excited to explore next in your artistic journey?

I’m hoping to continue building on this journey of self-exploration by weaving more of my New York influences into my work. I’m drawn to the idea of bridging the gap between the two worlds that have shaped me and creating something meaningful that honors both. I’m also excited to work on some commissioned pieces that might help others explore similar themes of home and ancestry for themselves. It would be a privilege to provide others with a deeper level of connection to their own stories through my art.

If there’s one feeling or thought you hope people take away from experiencing your work, what would it be?

When people experience my art, I hope they think deeper about connection, to self, to others and to the earth. I aim to share a positive message of hope and beauty. Ultimately, it’s about spreading love.

If you were to invite anyone alive or dead to a dinner party, who would be on your guest list?

I would love to sit at a table with my four grandparents and hear more about their lives in their own words. They’ve all passed and I only had the chance to truly get to know my maternal grandmother. Hearing about their experiences, challenges, and the moments that shaped them would teach me so much about myself in ways I can’t even imagine.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists, particularly those wanting to move to NYC, who are looking to pursue a career in the art world?

When it comes to art, you can’t rush your process or compare yourself to anyone else. As Julia Cameron says in The Artist’s Way, “Our job as artists is simply to do the work, not judge the work.” This has really helped me push past some of those perfectionistic tendencies I mentioned earlier. The best thing you can do is get out of your head, create the work, and allow it the space to find its place in the world.

What projects/exhibitions have you got coming up?

Next month, I’ll be showcasing my work internationally for the first time in a group exhibition in MADRID at the end of February. Additionally, I’ll be creating a mural for a special project in February. It’s exciting to see so many meaningful opportunities unfolding in 2025, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

Where can people see your work in IRL or online, and how can people contact you for a studio visit?

I’m fortunate to have a piece currently on display at Café Colmado (@colmadocoffee) on the Lower East Side. My work can also be viewed on my website, beatrizwilliamsart.com, and you can learn more about my creative process on Instagram at @beatrizwilliams.art. I always welcome visitors to my studio, so anyone interested in scheduling a visit can reach out to me at beatrizwilliamsart@gmail.com. I’m looking forward to hosting more guests in my space in the months ahead.