Meet the Artist - Ricardo Roig
Without having visited Hotel BonSol, New Jersey-based artist Ricardo Roig effortlessly transports you there through his technique of hand-cut paper stencil screen printing, a process that has brought his work to galleries, hotels, and homes around the world. His limited edition design Bonsol & Magique! is part of the Artist Suite Collection, curated by Hôtel Magique and Hotel BonSol as a result of the Call for Artists.
'Bonsol & Magique' by Ricardo Roig
“Although I have not been to Hotel BonSol, I can imagine what it would feel like. I feel the wind and the sun’s heat. If you can hear the birds, the lapping of the ocean against the concrete walls, the plants moving in the vibration- then I have made a successful piece and transported the viewer into this very moment. It’s calming and it's rewarding for the journey that led me to this moment. That is the energy I placed into this piece."
Where are you from, and where is home for you today?
I was born in NYC, then moved to the suburbs of New Jersey. I went to school in Virginia, then transferred to Art School in Baltimore Maryland, went to a study abroad program in Florence, Italy, and moved back to NJ near NYC in Hoboken. We recently moved back to the suburbs to raise our two young boys.
I am the son of a hard working Dominican Republican born mother whose ancestry comes from Spain, Italy & Venezuela. My grandfather & grandmother from my father’s side was born in Cuba and I am honored to be named after mi abuelo- Ricardo Roig : )
Why did you start creating art?
When I was only 4-5 months old my mom would push paint around with me & color. My mom understood that art helps to develop the mind, and build your brainpower. When I went to elementary school and had my first art class, the art teacher introduced me to the concept of an artist making work fulltime. I didn’t realize that was a way to make a living- I thought it was just something that people did because we’re humans. So I was immediately hooked and knew what I wanted to do for my career.
What inspires you to create art today?
Gratitude for life’s blessings, daily miracles, and I am inspired by life everyday. I married my muse, and we have two young boys & artists at home: Ricardito & Matías : ) They keep me grounded, encouraged and inspired every day to make my daily contribution to the world through my work. The people, the colors, the love- it is where I channel all of these beautiful vibrations of energy. I transfer this kaleidoscope of emotions into tangible forms through my work. It is my meditation and how I make sense of the world- create my place in it.
I have created art my whole life. I have been a full-time fine artist for 9 years, and only make and sell original work. I started as an oil painter and moved into printmaking in 2006. I’ve been developing my unique printmaking process for hand-cut prints for 19 years. My wife and I bought a commercial space in Hoboken 10 years ago, where we opened our own art gallery for my work. We connected with the W Hotels in 2017, and I have been the Artist in Residence at the W Hoboken since then. We have opened two more locations and will be opening a third soon with the Christie’s brand, as my work has been rippling across industries through hospitality as well as luxury brands.
I also create large-scale murals and will be making 5 new large-scale murals in Hoboken, with the largest being a 90’ x 50’ mural next year.
The W Hotels have also brought me on tour, as I have been exhibiting through the Ritz-Carlton properties all along the East Coast of the US, with 4 trips to Miami in the past year. Kean University, where I discovered the hand-cut print, made me the Artist in Residence for 2023-24 and will soon be naming their Student Art Gallery after me, which is a true honor.
My wife and I have also started the Roig Family Art Scholarship with Kean to show our appreciation. Giving through art is a big part of my life. Making art and selling art is paramount to continued success, but the final step is giving back to the community, as we host monthly events in our art galleries that donate to causes and charities.
I don’t only want to be a great artist but also a great example to my sons so that they can pursue their passion and also find their purpose in life through their efforts, hard work, and talents.
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