miguelandco.com
I am Miguel De La Rosa, and I was born and still live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
My enthusiasm for art began early in my life. My passion has always been drawing and
painting. I was encouraged by my teachers to enter my works in student competitions
for summer art scholarships at the art the Milwaukee Art Center, now the Milwaukee
Art Museum. This won me summer lessons three times, during which I developed a
foundation in painting.
I continued to study art and design at Milwaukee Trade and Technical High School.
While studying art, I also began cabinetry courses, which taught me the skills of wood
marquetry (Wood Marquetry is inlaying and assembling different wood veneers to
create designs to completely cover a surface). Through the school I did demonstrations
and showed my work in exhibitions. In 1975 the Chairman of the Art Department
sought me out to discuss an apprenticeship at the Felix Senger Studio. Felix Senger had
seen my exhibited work and wanted me to join his studio. The Felix Senger Studio was
a leading Liturgical Art studio. Felix Senger mentored me in larger scale art design. I
worked in stain glass, textiles and related media. While there, I developed techniques to
execute wood marquetry on large surfaces for wall murals. The initial wall mural was
well received, and lead to additional commissions by the archdioceses of Milwaukee and
Chicago. Additionally, I executed several large wood inlay commissions in the
Midwest. Photographs of some of these works are can be seen in the “Art Portfolio” pages of this
website.
While at the Felix Senger Studio, I began attended college at the University of Wisconsin-
Milwaukee with a focus on Fine Arts. There I studied art, design, and art metals. I
continued with additional studies at Milwaukee Area Technical College for fine jewelry
design. In January 1985 I opened M. De La Rosa Studio where I created works for the
private sector as well continuing with the liturgical commissions. I exhibited my work in
the Midwest. Photographs of some of these works can also be seen in the “Art Portfolio” pages of
this website.
In 1981, I decided to expand my design experience to include floral design. I studied
through the Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Floral Association, W.U.M.F.A. I worked
part- time in several prominent floral shops in Milwaukee to gain more experience. This
led me to change my studio name to Miguel and Co. In June of 2002. I have since
worked on many commissioned artworks and floral designs for individuals and major
corporations. Photographs of my floral work are in the “Floral Portfolio” section of this website.
My recent paintings focus on realistic figurative subjects. My goal is to expand the
boundaries of my medium's dimension by incorporating micro fine glitters and metallic
acrylics in the paints, thus enhancing backgrounds, fabrics and skin tones. Inspiration
for these paintings stems from present day etiquette, fashions, and my own sense of
humor,
Photographs in my “Recent Paintings” section of this website demonstrate my interest in these effects within a
dramatic setting.
My enthusiasm for art began early in my life. My passion has always been drawing and
painting. I was encouraged by my teachers to enter my works in student competitions
for summer art scholarships at the art the Milwaukee Art Center, now the Milwaukee
Art Museum. This won me summer lessons three times, during which I developed a
foundation in painting.
I continued to study art and design at Milwaukee Trade and Technical High School.
While studying art, I also began cabinetry courses, which taught me the skills of wood
marquetry (Wood Marquetry is inlaying and assembling different wood veneers to
create designs to completely cover a surface). Through the school I did demonstrations
and showed my work in exhibitions. In 1975 the Chairman of the Art Department
sought me out to discuss an apprenticeship at the Felix Senger Studio. Felix Senger had
seen my exhibited work and wanted me to join his studio. The Felix Senger Studio was
a leading Liturgical Art studio. Felix Senger mentored me in larger scale art design. I
worked in stain glass, textiles and related media. While there, I developed techniques to
execute wood marquetry on large surfaces for wall murals. The initial wall mural was
well received, and lead to additional commissions by the archdioceses of Milwaukee and
Chicago. Additionally, I executed several large wood inlay commissions in the
Midwest. Photographs of some of these works are can be seen in the “Art Portfolio” pages of this
website.
While at the Felix Senger Studio, I began attended college at the University of Wisconsin-
Milwaukee with a focus on Fine Arts. There I studied art, design, and art metals. I
continued with additional studies at Milwaukee Area Technical College for fine jewelry
design. In January 1985 I opened M. De La Rosa Studio where I created works for the
private sector as well continuing with the liturgical commissions. I exhibited my work in
the Midwest. Photographs of some of these works can also be seen in the “Art Portfolio” pages of
this website.
In 1981, I decided to expand my design experience to include floral design. I studied
through the Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Floral Association, W.U.M.F.A. I worked
part- time in several prominent floral shops in Milwaukee to gain more experience. This
led me to change my studio name to Miguel and Co. In June of 2002. I have since
worked on many commissioned artworks and floral designs for individuals and major
corporations. Photographs of my floral work are in the “Floral Portfolio” section of this website.
My recent paintings focus on realistic figurative subjects. My goal is to expand the
boundaries of my medium's dimension by incorporating micro fine glitters and metallic
acrylics in the paints, thus enhancing backgrounds, fabrics and skin tones. Inspiration
for these paintings stems from present day etiquette, fashions, and my own sense of
humor,
Photographs in my “Recent Paintings” section of this website demonstrate my interest in these effects within a
dramatic setting.
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