How They are Using Art to Explore Identity and Women Strength | Patrícia Penteado, Jenny Lee Robinson, and Maria Rosati
What happens when artists open up about the real stories behind their work—the struggles, the inspirations, the quiet turning points that changed everything? In this article, we dive into the journeys of three incredible women artists—Patrícia Penteado, Jenny Lee Robinson, and Maria Rosati—who each bring something deeply personal and powerful to the world of contemporary art.
Our conversations with them taught us that their paths are anything but straightforward. From rediscovering childhood passions to exploring myths and identity to confronting social stigma head-on, these artists use their creative voices to share what words alone often can’t. They’ve let us in on their inspirations (from nature to folklore to lived experiences), challenges (yes, creative blocks are fundamental!), and the deeper meanings behind their work.
What ties their journeys together is a shared commitment to honesty, resilience, and representation, especially of women’s stories. Whether through painting, printmaking, or paper art, their work reminds us that art isn’t just something to look at—it’s something to feel, question, and connect with.
How Patrícia Penteado Found Her Creative Voice
For Brazilian artist Patrícia Penteado, art has always been part of her life’s fabric—even when it wasn’t the path she was expected to follow. “My mother was a painter, and her colours and brushstrokes ignited a passion that never faded,” she says. Though her family saw art as a hobby, Patrícia quietly nurtured her skills for years, even as a dentist. It wasn’t until later in life that she permitted herself to embrace art fully, and now, over two decades later, she’s established herself as a versatile and respected artist.
Since 1998, Patrícia has focused on mastering techniques such as oil painting, acrylics, and encaustic, studying under renowned mentors at Atelier Spazio Arte e Genere in Bauru, São Paulo. Her work centres around the human figure, with a powerful emphasis on female representation, and she draws much of her inspiration from nature and Brazilian folklore. “I am continuously captivated by the dynamic forms that nature offers,” she says—an influence that weaves through her floral and abstract work.
Her exhibitions have travelled from Brazil to Argentina, Austria, and Spain. In 2023 alone, she held an in-person solo show at Centro Cultural USP-FOB and a virtual exhibit through Eueartegallery. Most recently, her work was recognised internationally by the Arts to Hearts project and featured in the 101 Arts Books—Floral Edition 2024. Patrícia’s journey is a beautiful testament to perseverance and bravery in reclaiming one’s creative voice.
I strive to evoke a sense of wonder and appreciation for the everyday miracles that surround us.
To learn more about Patricia, click on the links below.
Jenny Lee Robinson: Myth, Memory, and the Universal Female Archetype
From Seoul, South Korea, Jenny Lee Robinson is building a work body that connects women across cultures and timelines. As an American artist with Korean heritage, Jenny’s art dives deep into mythology and folklore, particularly stories of women—witches, mermaids, winged creatures—who appear in tales told from continent to continent. These figures, she believes, carry a universal language.
Her journey began with childhood painting sessions alongside her mom, but it took root when she moved to South Korea in 2011 to pursue her MFA in Painting at Ewha Woman’s University. Jenny’s experience as a biracial woman living abroad fuels her desire to make art that is emotionally accessible, using materials like Hanji (traditional Korean paper), printmaking, and book art—materials she describes as “ubiquitous, unpretentious, and familiar.”
“I hope to create a readable visual language through these characters,” she says. “These folktales are cathartically reinterpreted to share stories of women’s experiences—of strength, trauma, and resilience.” Jenny’s work doesn’t just preserve myths; it revives them with a contemporary pulse. Through her thoughtful reinterpretations, she gives old stories new breath, offering viewers a reflective mirror to see their own strength and transformation.
My goal is for the viewer to feel a sense of intimacy with my work, regardless of who they are or their life experiences.
To learn more about Jenny, visit the links below.
Maria Rosati on Body Politics, Identity, and Art as Resistance
Over in Canada, Maria Rosati uses printmaking as a powerful tool to challenge fatphobia and societal perceptions of femininity. “Art was always just there for me,” she says. A lifelong creator, Maria grew up in an Italian-Canadian family, in a culture where body image and gender roles often carried heavy, unspoken rules.
Now, as a printmaker specialising in silkscreen and intaglio, Maria turns deeply personal themes into bold, process-driven artworks. Currently pursuing her MFA in Printmaking at the University of Alberta, her recent projects directly question fatphobia: “Who can I blame for the shame and hatred I’ve felt towards my fat body?” she asks. Her prints respond with layered textures, weighty impressions, and narratives that push against the ingrained biases society holds about fatness and femininity.
Maria’s work is not just about expressing anger or frustration—it’s about making space for voices that have been sidelined. Her series explores “trace and lineage,” examining how the people and systems around us shape identity. Whether exploring girlhood, societal expectations, or self-image, Maria’s art acts as resistance and invitation, inviting us to reflect, rethink, and feel seen.
Sometimes, all it takes for me to get started again is to remember why I began in the first place.
To learn more about Maria, click on the links below.
Though Patrícia, Jenny, and Maria each work in different mediums and explore distinct themes, their work intersects meaningfully. All three artists use their practices to elevate women’s stories, whether through the lens of mythology, nature, identity, or cultural memory. Each artist embraces experimentation—with materials, narratives, and technique—and in doing so, they help redefine what it means to be a woman artist in today’s world.
Most importantly, their art reminds us that creativity is not linear. It grows in quiet moments and brave decisions, in rediscovered passions and deliberate acts of resistance. Whether on canvas, in print, or through paper and myth, these artists are telling stories that matter—not just for themselves, but for all of us.
Stay tuned to the Women in Arts Network for more stories amplifying diverse, powerful contemporary art voices. Visit our website and follow us on Instagram.
