Cuban artist displays paintings in Naperville
After long days of working as an electrician, Robert Finale would come home, grab a paintbrush and work on his romantic, scenic oil paintings.
"I'd be up until 2 o'clock in the morning," Finale recalled. "My job didn't inspire me at all. Painting was all I could thing about."
While he dreamed of ditching his career and becoming a professional artist, Finale had a wife and three kids to support. So painting remained his hobby until a few years ago, when he brought his work to an art expo in Atlanta. People loved his paintings and he sold one on the spot.
"Soon, money started coming in. But the question was, would it be enough to live on?" he said.
Finale finally took a leap of faith and entered the art world full-time. He admits it's not an easy business, but so far, he's succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. His original oil paintings now sell for between $10,000 and $30,000 each and his work is exhibited in galleries across the country.
Now through Feb. 28, Finale's paintings are being exhibited at Artavo Galleries in Naperville.
"His works are an inspiration to all who have dreamed the impossible dream," said Sarah Bartelt, the Artavo gallery director.
A native of Cuba, Finale was raised in Los Angeles and, as a child, always walked around with a sketch pad and pencil.
"I used to sketch everything I saw," he said. "As I got older, I'd sketch a movie poster. If I saw 'Jaws,' I'd sketch sharks for two months. Whatever inspired me, I'd sketch."
Drawing was his passion, but he chose a career in construction and spent a decade working as an electrician. His income allowed him to travel around the U.S. and Europe, where he saw scenery that inspired many of his paintings.
"I'm thinking of doing the Water Tower in Chicago, but I haven't had a chance yet," said Finale, 42, who now lives in Atlanta.
To budding painters toiling away in uninspiring jobs, Finale offers a little advice.
"Just do what you want to do," he said. "Just put your mind to it and follow your heart."
Paintings by Robert Finale
When: Now through Feb. 28. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.
Where: Artavo Galleries, Design Pointe Center, 1320 N. Route 59, Naperville
Cost: Free
Info: artavo.com or (630) 922-5400.