Romel de la Torre won his first art award at the tender age of 10. Although his parents had supported his interest in art—encouraging him to draw and sketch the world around him—it wasn’t until he appeared on a local TV program to receive his award that they began to think, “Maybe he’s got a talent here.”

He did indeed. Since then, de la Torre has earned many awards for his paintings, including the grand prize and artist of the year awards from the Oil Painters of America and, in 2008, a gold medal and the People’s Choice Award from the Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts. His paintings also are included in private collections throughout the United States.

Romel De La Torre (Illinois)

Red Headband
Oil
20″x16″
“This is an alla prima demo piece. It’s always important for me to have a connection with the model, to capture that certain calmness that I felt while painting her.”

Romel De La Torre (Illinois)

Heading Home
Oil
20″x24″
“Spring is always my favorite time of year. I happened to be driving by, when I saw a mother and child strolling around the block and felt it had to be painted.”