Stephanie Spear 
Angelica Boleta is a self-taught artist who finds inspiration in nature, in every season. Angelica was born and raised in Brazil, and life brought her to the United States. Painting has always been her passion, and after trying a few different lines of work, she realized that following her heart was the way to go. Read on for more with local painter Angelica Boleta.
About Angelica
Angelica is Brazilian and came to the US to learn English in 2014. “The company I worked for sent me to NYC to take a course to work on my English,” she said. “But that’s where I met my husband and life got crazy!” Her husband was a PhD student at the time, and they had a Brazilian friend in common. They got married and moved to her husband’s native Germany before moving to Northern Virginia in 2019. Angelica, her husband, and their son live in Reston.
Angelica says that even though she is a full-time artist now, her path wasn’t direct. “I’ve always been an artistic person, always liked doing art, but when I went to college, I had to choose what course to take,” she said. “I chose agronomy, which is agriculture and engineering. I didn’t have the support to pursue studying art.”
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She did finish her degree in agronomy. “I was miserable, I wasn’t happy,” she said. “I started working at a marketing agency to get a bit closer to art, and I started writing. I felt I could do that.” Angelica also earned a degree in marketing. The marketing agency sent her to New York, and fate intervened.
Photo courtesy of Angelica Boleta
Despite the indirect route, Angelica says life has always been pushing her toward her art. “I wanted to do something useful with my life,” she said. “I decided to just do one painting every day. I tried watercolors, and acrylics, and finally started showing it around.”
About the Business
Now, Angelica sells her art locally and online, teaches workshops, and takes commissions. Her main subjects are local flora and fauna. To her, inspiration is everywhere. “I like to pay attention everywhere I go. Sometimes it’s just a flower arrangement or a bird,” she said. “As much as I am a distracted person, I pay attention to the things I love. sometimes it’s a picture of a flower, or a book, or the pattern of someone’s clothes, or a beautiful display in a store.”
Angelica’s artwork is sold at a few stores in Leesburg, including Muz and Rose, Shake & Bops Cafe, and The Wine Kitchen. For commissions, Angelica says that the client has to be into her style for it to work. “They can tell me what to paint but not how to paint it,” she said.
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Where Angelica really shines is in workshops. She teaches paint-and-sip workshops throughout Northern Virginia and is a frequent instructor at the Grounds of Livev in Oakton. In these workshops, Angelica shows an example piece of art and walks students through the process of making their own. The workshops are frequently florals, birds, or watercolor basic techniques. Angelica brings in all the materials, which makes it easy for the host. “I have a list of ideas that could be fun, or I work with the host to pick something,” she said.
The setup for a workshop run by Angelica
Angelica still finds time to paint for herself. “I create every day, it really brings me peace,” she said. “My favorite season to paint is autumn. I love to sit in my backyard and paint what I see.” The wooded trails around Reston are also sources of inspiration for her. “In good weather, I like to run on the trails, and in the cooler months I ride my bike,” she said. “Getting outside gives me energy. It’s so beautiful here.”
Photo courtesy of Angelica Boleta
Looking ahead, Angelica wants to keep on creating. This year, she wants to try painting en plein air, which is painting outdoors, and painting at a botanical garden. To get in touch with Angelica, follow her on Instagram.
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