What Inspires My Art: Film, Family, Food, and the Wisdom of Trees

People often ask what inspires my paintings. The answer is layered, much like my work itself. It’s not just one thing; it’s a lifelong weaving of influences, feelings, stories, and stillness. But when I really sit with the question, a few deep threads rise to the surface.

A Life Steeped in Theater and Film

I come from a family of performers. Theater and film were part of the rhythm of our home; scripts, stories, lights, and stage presence. That legacy naturally became part of me. I went on to study film myself and worked in the industry, always drawn to the ways stories were told through image, timing, and presence.

One theme that stood out to me in film was how often meals brought characters together. Food is a great equalizer. Whether it’s a grand feast or a simple snack, when people gather around a table, human or animal, it says something. There's vulnerability, power, connection, and unspoken emotion in a shared meal. That symbolism shows up again and again in my paintings. A fox offering a mushroom. A penguin mother feeding her chicks. A bear sharing fish with a seal. These scenes speak a universal language.

The Trees I’ve Loved

Nature has always grounded me, especially trees. As a young girl, I had a special relationship with a willow tree my father planted. I’d climb up into its branches and talk to it as if it were a friend. And honestly, it was. When we moved, I hugged it goodbye. That early bond shaped how I see trees to this day as sentient, sacred presences. Trees appear in many of my paintings, not just as background, but as quiet witnesses or wise elders. They remind me to stay rooted and to grow with grace.

The Influence of Dzogchen

For over 15 years, I’ve practiced Dzogchen meditation. It’s been a gentle, powerful guide in both my life and my art. In my practice, I rest with whatever thoughts, emotions, or sensations arise without chasing or resisting them. I experience what I call pure presence, and that experience informs how I paint. I don’t try to control every detail. I let the scenes reveal themselves, and I trust the rhythm of the brush. I think that’s part of why people say my work feels both alive and peaceful.

A Life Painted in Layers

So yes, my art is whimsical. It’s magical. Sometimes it’s dramatic or playful. But under all of that are layers of experience: a life in theater, a deep connection to nature, the rituals of sharing food, and a practice of presence. Painting allows me to bring those worlds together and invite you into the story.

Thank you for being part of this creative conversation.

With warmth,
Roberta Pacino