We had the good fortune of connecting with Antonio del Moral and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Antonio, what do you think about risk?
As a Cuban-born artist, I took a risk by leaving my homeland to come to America. It was a big risk for me to arrive in a country that spoke another language. It took a painful sacrifice to not only speak the language but also know I had to do it on my own if I wanted to succeed.
I took a risk in selecting my career path with interior design. Even with my artistic inclination, I still had to learn to be a draftsman and find jobs requiring this skill set. Then within a few years, I secured my position with Marriott International as an interior designer for their international hotel division.
After retirement, I have taken risks to continue to create and contribute to The Arts by having an art gallery in Little Havana, Miami for over a decade. Regularly we continue to showcase emerging artists with solo exhibitions, teach painting to groups and individuals, and host intimate painting parties within our home gallery and garden art studio.
Let’s talk shop. Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I studied art at a very early age in my hometown of Havana, Cuba at the San Alejandro Academia de Arte. In 1962 I arrived in the United States and pursued my passion for painting. I toned my artistic talent for several years at the Corcoran School of Art and the American University in Washington, D.C. while maintaining a full-time career position with Marriott International.
As Director of Interior Design for Marriott International, I was always the first to arrive at headquarters and spent half of my career and time in international cities installing my creative interior designs in their most upscale hotels. Having an exciting forty-year career with Marriott, I learned and developed professionally to be the Employee of the Year, as well as being a certified interior designer with the American Society of Interior Designers; having designed and installed many of Marriott’s most opulent hotels worldwide.
With my lifetime art career stretching many decades as a painter and art business owner, I devoted the extra mile to both work and my personal life. Additionally, as a creative designer and artist, both vocations lend themselves to having the work/life balance mix and intertwine, enriching and flourishing my whole life balance.
My passion as a painter is to constantly explore new artistic techniques in expressing myself. Drawing from my Cuban roots, I bring genuine warmth and vitality to each piece of work with the bold use of vibrant colors. My art is fresh and expressive, with playful and engaging studies of nudes, portraits, flowers, landscapes, abstracts, and other subjects showing my expansive artistic range. I have worked in oils, acrylics, watercolor, and other mediums stretching through many unique decades, producing a commanding collection of masterful art.
I have always had a strong passion for art throughout my life, especially painting. I wanted to start a business where I could help encourage artists by showcasing their art in an upscale environment, as well as teach new artists the artistic techniques I have learned from decades of painting and working with master painters.
I moved down to Miami from Washington, DC to be with my family after I retired. I am very proud to be a Cuban American artist and I wanted to give new aspiring artists an opportunity and venue to showcase their art. This was part of my mission to open an art gallery, host monthly exhibitions, and teach painting to individuals and groups. I lived very close to Little Havana in Miami so I opened Galeria Adelmo within that area to help promote my Cuban heritage also.
From 2010 through 2020 I owned and operated a popular and robust art gallery in Little Havana, Miami where we hosted monthly art exhibitions showcasing local Miami and international artists with solo and group shows.
During this same period, I taught individual and group painting classes, as well as hosted private painting parties for clients.
We are still hosting painting parties, and teaching painting to individuals and groups, as well as having exhibitions. The Galeria Adelmo Art Studio has now located in the historic Roads residential community in Miami, Florida. Antonio Del Moral’s art gallery and studio encompass my expansive home gallery and windowed art studio overlooking a beautifully landscaped garden.
I have overcome challenges and learned many lessons in my life so far. 1) Focus is one of the most important lessons I have learned. Make the most of the day; early to rise and stay focused on daily tasks and goals; and do my very best with whatever faces me. 2) Give and share my talents and experience with others; cooperate and collaborate with others to accomplish our mutual objectives. 3) Determination; With every new challenge in my career and life, I always face it straight on with the determination that it will be resolved. Never give up on solving a problem or issue; there’s always a resolution; You just need the tenacity and fortitude to stick with it until it’s accomplished.
I want people to know that I am authentic and the artwork that I paint is original and authentic. Even though I have excelled at painting in many artistic styles, my best work thus far is in still life, landscape, and realistic subject matter.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Miami is definitely an art-centered cosmopolitan environment. It seems that every significant Miami community showcases art in some form. Always a welcome accompaniment to art will be fine food & beverage establishments.
Visit #1- Staying close to home, nearby in Little Havana there is a core group of artists who have businesses worthy of a visit. The 8th Street section called Calle Ocho is one of the most popular tourist spots still after many decades. Here is where it’s told that you really taste the flavor of Miami, with the Cuban food, drink, art, and culture.
Restaurant recommendations: Doce Provisions, La Camaronera Seafood, Cafe La Trova
Visit #2 – Miami Beach; beautiful beaches, art deco buildings, relaxed tranquil atmosphere.
Restaurant recommendations: Nikki Beach Miami, South Point Tavern, Yardbird, Scarpetta, South Pointe Tavern
Visit #3 – Coral Gables, Miami – High-end boutiques, abundant galleries, and culinary spots.
Restaurant recommendations: Miracle Mile restaurants and Hillstone, Seasons 52, John Martin’s Irish Pub, Bulla Gastrobar, Christy’s
Visit #4- Coconut Grove, Miami
Restaurant recommendations: Le Bouchon Du Grove, Bellini at Mr. C Hotel, Strada in the Grove
Visit #5- South Miami, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Restaurant recommendations: Sunset Grill, Town Kitchen and Bar, Berries in the Grove
Visit #6- Vizcaya Museum & Garden, Miami
Restaurant recommendations: Luke’s Lobster at Brickell City Center, Sexy Fish in Brickell, Bocas Grill Brickell, Berries in the Grove, Flanigan’s,
Visit #7- Galeria Adelmo Home Art Studio and Gallery, Miami
Restaurant recommendations: The Capital Grill, Tutto Pasta Ristorante, Tutto Pizza, La Boulangerie Boul’Mich, Old Lisbon on Coral Way.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love, and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Michael Hellem; my life partner and companion. Michael has been with me for over forty years, working by my side to develop our brand and reputation. He has helped me immeasurably with the art gallery, as well as our painting classes parties, and exhibitions.
Website: www.adelmogallery.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/galeriaadelmo/
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/antonio-del-moral-asid-029a057
Twitter: https://twitter.com/delmoral73
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/galeriaadelmo
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@galeriaadelmo5795
LINK FOR ARTICLE: https://shoutoutmiami.com/meet-antonio-del-moral-artist-and-designer/