Telagio Baptista

Recently relocated to Omaha, Nebraska, from Sacramento, California.

This is the story of a watercolor artist's journey toward pursuing his passion. He had owned a graphic design studio in Hawaii for twenty years and was also a symphony's concertmaster violist. Additionally, he had toured the South Pacific as a professional golfer before finally dedicating himself to painting. 

During his formative years, he discovered his passion for visual arts. His artistic abilities were acknowledged when his paintings won national awards in high school. As a result, he was awarded a scholarship to the Fine Art Institute in San Francisco, and he completed his education at the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, California, with a BFA.

Telagio is a talented watercolor artist who has won various regional, national, and international juried art competitions. He uses a limited color palette and different atmospheric painting techniques to paint portraits, landscapes, cityscapes, and seascapes. Telagio often incorporates negative space in his art to allow the painting to breathe and create a specific mood and feeling; 

Every image he makes tells a unique story.

Telagio exclusively uses watercolor as his medium of choice. He finds it to be a magical and exotic medium that allows for limitless creativity. His watercolor paintings range from realistic depictions to more impressionistic styles.

As an artist, Telagio is open to new ideas and approaches in perceiving breakthroughs and understanding human connection. He believes that his best work is still ahead of him.

Telagio offers private and group watercolor workshops in Omaha, surrounding areas, and other states. He has also served as a juror for art shows and has ongoing gallery exhibitions.

Encouragement and support for each student characterize his teaching method. He brings his God-given and professional painting talent and enthusiasm to his workshops, encouraging his students to speak "loud and clear" with their hearts and brushes.