Artist Paula Borsetti on Turning Loss into a Journey of Healing
Paula Borsetti is an artist who creates abstract paintings inspired by the beauty of New England and her personal experiences. Through her art, Paula explores loss, healing, and the emotional layers of life. In this interview, she shares the story behind her art, what motivates her, and the lessons she’s learned. Paula talks about her love for painting, how she grew up surrounded by creativity, and how her career as an art teacher shaped her journey. She also opens up about some of her most meaningful work, like the PALS series, which honors her friend’s son who lost his battle with ALS. She also encourages other aspiring artists to trust their passion and their unique creative voices, no matter the challenge.
Artist Paula Borsetti has been featured in the Arts to Hearts Project’s book Art and Woman and is recognized by the Women in Arts Network as a portfolio partner. Women in Arts Network is a proud portfolio partner of the Arts to Hearts Project’s books and magazines.
Her PALS series is a body of work inspired by the battle her friend’s son recently lost against ALS. Diagnosed at 25, he fought bravely for 9 ½ years. For this series, she states, “I am intrigued by words. I am currently using words describing Bobby’s experience with ALS as layers submerged in the paintings. I am rolling these thoughts and words around in paint and letting them lead the way to paintings that resonate with a sense of strength, hope, perseverance, and life .” Even though Bobby lost his battle, Paula continues to use her art to advocate for awareness and a cure. Paula’s new work is directly related to loss. While her PALS series will continue, she is pursuing another body of work, diving into creative barriers that keep us from moving forward, nurturing, healing, and soaring. Moving paint around the surface, scraping, sanding, building, layering, and drawing are all parts of the vocabulary to express this particular moment.
1. How would you describe your art style, and what inspired you to become an artist?
I grew up in a creative household. My father was an artist, although he didn’t perceive himself as one. He was a patent draftsman by trade, always drawing everything. He drew to understand; he drew to learn. He saw the “neat” in everything. He could draw, carve, paint, and play any instrument available. As a matter of fact he played the bagpipes. I was always fascinated with his ability to create forms from a few lines and make them come to life. I have always had a project at hand from as early as I can remember. However, I never considered becoming a full-time artist until I took lessons with Sister Vincent de Paul in high school. It was in her studio that I learned about so many materials and processes.
Her studio was a haven of love and light. I learned the freedom to explore and to make mistakes. In her studio, I knew art would be an integral part of my life no matter what. I was never the one who people looked to as a star artist, not in high school or in art school. I am an introvert, quietly taking it all in and processing in my way. About 12 years after art school I had the opportunity to start teaching at my local high school, a place I never thought I would step foot in ever again. Encouraged by my sisters, who were teachers, the schedule, and the fact that I had a 5-year-old daughter, it seemed the perfect fit. And it was.
I found out I loved teaching and being a guide on the side for these young artists. High school was the perfect place for me to teach. I loved teaching students who knew they were artists and those who would never think of themselves as artists. I grew as an artist, a teacher and a learner. I was so fortunate to discover a love of learning and a career that fostered that in myself and others. I stayed for 26 years. Of course, I wondered what my art would be like if I was in the studio full time, so when I knew my time at the school was coming to a close, I had the chance to find out. I maintained a studio practice throughout my life but now i get to work at it full time. My early training with Sister Vincent was primarily in the landscape and that is where my heart lies. I have always felt the pull to capture something beyond what I saw. My work became increasingly abstract as I continued to search for that essence. I have always been interested in color. Mixing and layering. I am interested in texture, surface, movement. Telling stories in the layers. I work intuitively, letting the work lead the way.
Sometimes images come in dreams, in meditation, or research. I am open to it all. I work in a variety of sizes and surfaces primarily with acrylic, sometimes collage, printmaking, always drawing of some type. I am fearless in my approach and not afraid of making a mistake. I love moving paint around, dancing around the studio and having several pieces to work on simultaneously. Even though I taught for 26 years, I am still an introvert. In my studio, that translates to yelling out my thoughts and feelings on the canvas, then laying over them until they are a call or a whisper, and ending with a joyful sound.
I am exploring barriers, real and perceived, that keep us from soaring. By looking inward, facing fears and exploring them in paint I am finding ways to flip the conversation from a barrier to an entrance.
Paula Borsetti
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2. Can you tell us about a particular piece of art that holds special meaning for you?
Two come to mind and they are related. The first is a painting I did with my dear friend and mentor. We were painting on location in New Hampshire and it was my first time attempting a full sheet watercolor. I was on a trip with a group of friends, we always go away together for Mother’s Day. They would shop and I would paint with my friend who was my “art” mom. I can remember being so proud of this work. I felt a profound shift in my ability to work largely in watercolor and to capture the essence of the scene in front of me. I loved everything about it. I felt freedom and joy in this work. I proudly brought it home and framed it and entered it into our local art guild show where I was sure I would win a ribbon and where it was promptly rejected. I was devastated. I saw immense growth, joy, and life in this work, and who knows what the jury saw. Yet I persisted and kept at it. This lesson, to hold on to that which lights me up, to get that out and on the surface and know that is enough, is a lesson that I kept close to my heart, especially when I was teaching. That painting called Mother’s Day taught me so much and was a huge stepping stone on my journey. I knew I was painting for me and that would always be my goal. The second painting is by Maud Morgan. I saw it at her opening in Duxbury, MA. I was enthralled by it. It was a miniature self-portrait of the artist wearing a knit sweater. Simple, straight forward but so joyful. I was able to speak to Maud at that opening and she told me she started knitting that sweater when expecting her daughter and when she finally finished it – her daughter was an adult – she just had to paint it. I could relate to that story and I loved that she painted these personal moments that were also universal. It wasn’t about making a pretty painting, it was about capturing that moment in time in joyful paint. I think about that painting all the time and also strive to capture joyful moments in paint. Both of these paintings deal with motherhood and painting moments of being a mother, honoring mothers and women. They are special in my journey as an artist, mom, daughter, and nana.
3. Can you describe a memorable experience or project that significantly impacted your career?
In the winter of 2013 my dear friend’s son was diagnosed with ALS. He was 25. From the moment of diagnosis I knew that the only way I could help was through my art. For 9 ½ years he fought this beast of a disease. I did all I could do to help raise awareness and funds. I had art shows, painted anything I could get my hands on, sold cards, made water bottles, and started a business in my classroom. I did anything and everything I could do. There were two projects that stood out for me. When I decided to leave my job as a full time high school art teacher I knew I wanted to create a large body of work that spoke about Bobby’s journey. How it impacted him, his caregivers, his family, friends, me. The fundraisers were helpful to be sure, but this body of work was more about introspection, healing and giving voice to words and feelings that Bobby could no longer express. The idea came to me at the beach watching the sunrise. I thought about how the tide comes in and covers everything. We can not know what is happening below, but can only witness what is on the surface when the tide has receded. There is so much happening under the surface. That is where the treasures are. That was Bobby. I asked Bobby for his blessing to work on this series and I would like to think that he was very proud of the work that came out of it. Each work started with a word or phrase from Bobby, or his caregiver and then took on a life of its own as it began to present itself. Two of the paintings became designs on custom Birkenstocks as part of a collaboration with Michael Grey sandal factory. Only 60 custom pairs are made, 30 of each design and each has an ALS ribbon incorporated into the sandal somewhere. Funds were donated to Bobby’s care and when people wear the shoes the story is told. The paintings from this series were shown in an online solo show in March of 2023 through Women Art United Movement. The show was titled “Tending Below the Surface”. For the past 10 years I have been on a mission to raise awareness and funds for ALS. When Bobby was freed from his battle with ALS in June of 2023, I went into a bit of a tailspin. I had believed that I could do something to make a difference for PALS (people with ALS), that somehow someone would make a connection between what I was painting and finding a cure for ALS. I wanted it wrong for Bobby and all the incredible people I have met, having been associated with him. The strength and resilience I have witnessed from every person with ALS, their caregivers, friends, and families has just been incredible. I couldn’t make that goal in time for Bobby. Yet, I continue. When I talk to people about the artwork, everyone knows someone who has been touched by ALS. It is not a rare disease. I know that as I continue to make work and clarify my vision that one day I will figure it out. I will find a way to make a difference with my art. For me, creating art is a healing journey.
I am dancing around the studio doing what I love while exploring, excavating and creating works that I am so excited about. Every day in the studio is like watching the tide come in and out. When it recedes nothing is the same. That is my daily practice.
4. What has been the most rewarding aspect of your art journey?
I am so grateful to be an artist. As part of this journey I have met the most amazing people. I have been able to learn from incredible mentors and am fortunate to be a teacher and to share my work on multiple platforms and exhibits. I love when collectors resonate with my work and want to live with it in their lives. I am grateful that being an artist means that my eyes see differently. I find beauty in cracks and crevices. I am never bored, I always have something to do. I share my love of creating with my daughters and grandsons. My family comes with me to openings and exhibits and shares the adventure. Creating makes me feel whole. I am constantly learning and evolving in my practice and, therefore, in my life. Being an artist gives me another voice to use, a visual voice that I can use to make connections and make a difference.
5. What advice would you give to the aspiring artists?
Follow your passion. Believe you are an artist. If you feel it, own it. Don’t listen to the committee in your head or any other limiting beliefs. Being an artist is a roller coaster, but don’t get off! It’s a beautiful journey. Cling to the moments that make you raise your hands high. The world needs your unique voice and its ok if it goes between a whisper and a shout. It is as it should be.
Paula Borsetti’s artwork is deeply rooted in her love for New England’s landscapes and the personal moments that shaped her life. Whether inspired by the beauty of nature or the emotions of loss and healing, her paintings carry a strong message of resilience and hope. To learn more about Paula, visit the links below.
You can explore Paula Borsetti’s journey and the stories of other artists by purchasing our Art And Woman Book here:
