My Story – My Journey from São Paulo to the United States

Hello, lovely readers! My name is Valeria Roncoli, and I’m thrilled to embark on this blogging journey with you. Today, I want to take you back to where it all began – São Paulo, Brazil – and share with you the pivotal moment that set me on the path to becoming a visual artist in the United States.

Twenty-one years ago, fresh from the heartbreak of a difficult breakup, I found myself at a crossroads. Rather than succumb to despair, I made the bold decision to embrace change and start anew. With nothing but a suitcase full of dreams, I bid farewell to São Paulo and set off for the United States, ready to reinvent myself and rediscover my passion for art.

Upon arriving in this new land, I was filled with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Everything felt unfamiliar – the language, the culture, the way of life. But amidst the uncertainty, there was one constant that grounded me: my love for art. Determined to carve out a place for myself in this foreign landscape, I turned to my paintbrushes and began to paint murals that reflected the vibrant spirit of my Brazilian heritage.

With each stroke of color, I found solace and purpose. Painting became my sanctuary, a means of expressing myself when words failed me. And as I shared my art with the world, I discovered a profound sense of connection – to my past, to my present, and to the countless souls who found solace and inspiration in my work.

But my journey didn’t end there. Fuelled by a desire to pay it forward, I opened a humble art studio, where I welcomed beginners eager to explore their own creative potential. Together, we laughed, we learned, and we painted our way through life’s ups and downs, one canvas at a time. And as I watched my students blossom into confident artists, I knew that I had found my true calling – not just as a painter, but as a teacher, a mentor, and a beacon of hope for anyone brave enough to chase their dreams.

So here I am today, standing on the precipice of a new chapter, filled with gratitude for the winding road that brought me here. From São Paulo to the United States, from heartache to healing, from self-doubt to self-discovery – my journey has been anything but easy. But through it all, one thing remains abundantly clear: art has the power to transform lives, to bridge the gap between strangers, and to remind us that no matter where we come from, we are all connected by the universal language of creativity.

As I look ahead to the adventures that await, I invite you to join me on this exhilarating ride. Together, let’s embrace change, let’s embrace art, and let’s paint the world in the vibrant colors of our dreams.

Thank you for being a part of my story.

With love and gratitude,

Valeria Roncoli