Myrtha Vega: Faith on Canvas
Myrtha Vega
Prayer to Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre
For Myrtha Vega, painting is admiring God’s creation and being amazed by its wonders. Each brushstroke is an opportunity to see the hand of the Creator in even the smallest details of the natural world, lifting her spirit across the canvas to capture its grandeur.
Now in her 90s, Myrtha continues to paint, her studio in Atlanta serving as a creative sanctuary she has cherished for decades. Among her prolific body of work, one finds not only a testament to her tireless creativity but also her distinctive style.
During her early days as an architect in Cuba, she joined the political opposition, a choice that eventually forced her into exile. Leaving behind her loved ones and possessions, she journeyed to the United States like many other Cuban people. Since then, Myrtha has sensed a comforting presence, believing that the hand of God has been guiding her and opening doors along the way.
Prayer to Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre
As a Cuban artist, Myrtha is renowned for her ability to capture breathtaking landscapes without a hint of green - a color she once found uninspiring. Instead, she employs a signature palette that mirrors the vibrant hues of her native Cuba, infusing her pieces with a radiance that is uniquely her own.
Myrtha showed her artistic talent as a child, drawing constantly. This passion led her to study architecture at the University of Havana, where she graduated in a class of only 10 women.
Arriving in Miami during the 1960s with only $100 to her name, she found a job at an architecture firm within a week, thanks in part to the her strong English skills. Opting out of government aid, she relied on her faith and hard work to carve out her career.
She later received a scholarship to the University of Michigan, where she pursued a master´s degree in landscape architecture and met her husband, a man of deep faith. Together, they raised three children. Despite facing numerous challenges, Myrtha´s determination never wavered. She believes that even in the toughest times, a guiding hand from above has always been there to light her way.
“If we look at how my life has been, I have no choice but to have an incredible faith. The only thing I feel is joy in my heart to see all that God has done in my life,” she reflects.
Throughout her successful career as an architect, her love for art grew and she looked for new forms of expression. While working at an architectural firm, she began taking painting classes and discovered her own style, particularly in landscape paintings.
Eventually, she decided to leave architecture behind and fully immerse herself in painting. Most of her creative process takes place outdoors, where she strives to capture the beauty of nature using her imagination and emotions.
The latest series by the Cuba artist is dedicated to glaciers and icebergs, a poignant reflection of her deep concern for the climate crisis. Through her evocative iceberg paintings, Myrtha raises awareness about environmental issues, hoping to leave a meaningful legacy for future generations.
“I will be gone, the glaciers and icebergs will disappear, but my paintings will remain,” she says, leaving a lasting mark through her art.
