We told y'all that October was the month for new artist launches, and this week we are lucky enough to add another incredible talent to the fold. Victoria Capello, all eyes are on you, girl! From an early age, Victoria felt a pull toward the arts. After studying at Louisiana State University, she began a more purposeful journey with drawing and painting. She pulls inspiration from nature, interior design, and her surroundings in the Deep South. Whether it be the jasmine climbing a 19th-century shotgun outside Audubon Park or the colors in a neighborhood garden in her hometown just outside of Baton Rouge, South Louisiana is teeming with an artist's inspiration, and Victoria is proud to call it her home with her husband, Trey, and two daughters, Eliza and Sofia. She believes each day offers new blessings to be splendidly creative. Come Wednesday morning at 10 a.m.; our gallery walls will be filled with 12 new Victorial Capello paintings, and y'all, you are going to want to set an alarm for this one! Until then...Victoria's Pardon Me interview will have to tide you over. Welcome, to the team, Victoria!
What is currently on your nightstand?
Honestly, a lamp that’s cracked on the entire backside due to my dropping it right after buying it, and my oldest daughter’s baby monitor. Nothing fancy here! I’m actually just slowly jazzing up our whole house, and a primary bedroom is low priority for me at the moment.
Who is your biggest influence as an artist and why?
Easy! Paule Marrot. She was a French textile designer whose work is just so wonderfully whimsical. Everything she created makes me smile. I could place her art in my daughters’ nurseries or in my formal living room and it’d fit just as well, which is always impressive to me. I love when an artist creates work that’s truly joyful, but also versatile.
Tell us about your childhood. What is the most memorable moment as a young person?
Oof, big question! Truthfully, my clearest memory is of the death of my grandfather. He was more like a father to me, so it was a very difficult time. He also loved the arts and had a creative spirit. He made his own wine and would travel the South, entering it into competitions! Aside from that and my parents’ divorce, I had a beautiful childhood. My family loved me, taught me to love the Lord and my needs were more than met. It was wonderful overall!
If you could only have one supply in your art studio, what would it be and why?
High quality, watercolor paper. Occasionally, I’ll dabble in different mediums, but I usually don’t stray from my paper! I love the texture and how every medium applies to it so well.
What is your favorite room in your house? Describe it.
My living room. I painted it a soft pink called Lambskin by Benjamin Moore. I read an article once in a British magazine that said if you paint any room pink, it will make everyone look more lovely- that sold me! I have several antiques in there and one too many coffee table books. As I type this, I’m looking at six lamps all casting a warm, golden glow. It’s safe to say it’s a cozy place!
What is your biggest score online?
Can I say every item in my house?? It becomes obnoxious when I begin to list off all the great items I’ve found on Facebook marketplace for insane prices. I think my favorite is our coffee table I found in Covington, LA on Marketplace, though. It was once an “opium table” that was converted to a traditional coffee table. I don’t smoke, but it feels very groovy.
What is the benefit of buying art through a collective? What do you recommend for those that are new to buying original art?
A collective exposes you to art and artists you may have otherwise never even known of. Buying original art is a huge investment, but I think it’s something anyone who lives anywhere should do, to put it simply…
But really, buy original art that you love! It doesn’t matter if it “fits” in the space or “matches”. If you love it a week later, buy it!
If you have the entire day to spend in an art museum, which one and why?
NOMA! I love the museum and I love New Orleans. It’s such a vibrant and creative city, so I know any time I visit, I’ll see something that speaks to me or makes me smile.
What is your favorite hotel and what makes it special?
Easily Hotel Peter and Paul in New Orleans. Gingham everywhere, antiques, hand painted furniture and murals. Trust me, just go!
If you were a lipstick color would you be red, pink, or clear and why?
Hmm, a light brown shade with a hint of red. My mother always told me anything else yellows the teeth.
I can never get on a plane without….
Anyone with small children knows a plane ride is a “get there” situation. However, if I’m flying sans children, my Airpods to jam out!
How did you get into the world of art?
A former teacher at the school I grew up going to offered me the Middle School Art position because she knew I was creative and could handle it. It was all up from there! God truly blessed me in that.
What do you do to relax?
Play jazz music and piddle around my house.
When do you get the biggest surge of inspiration?
That’s a great question and I’ve actually noticed it recently. I’m most inspired after some time alone, outside of my own house, where I get to just paint freely with no agenda.
Prediction for the Color of 2027?
Hmm, a deep shade of red!
What is your idea of a date night? Dinner and a movie or dancing all night?
Dinner and dancing! Dinner with champagne? Maybe just champagne and dancing...
Tell us about your favorite painting that you have created.
I’m so overly critical of everything I create that I can’t even think of a “favorite” yet. I’m getting there, though! I can say, my favorite paintings are the ones where the collector was genuinely thrilled when they received it. It’s truly an awesome feeling as an artist!
One piece of advice for buying original art?
I think the one and only piece of advice for buying art is this: love it. That’s it. Art is for the collector and no one else! If you love it, you get to tell the story of why. I think that’s what brings art to the next level.
