Showcasing Mercedes Armada

Armada will never forget it. She was five years old in Ms. Leo's first grade class. She drew a sketch, which seemed magical to her, and Ms. Leo agreed. That was the moment Armada became an artist. It marked the beginning of a lifelong journey - the inception of her love affair with the visual arts.

That moment as a child was the first time, she can consciously remember feeling her own sensibility, her own existence. As an artist, there have been moments of exasperation and doubt where she has felt like giving up. But when she goes back to that instant, that feeling, she is strengthened and reassured of her artistry and craft.

Since that day so many years ago, Armada has worked tirelessly to hone her skills as an artist. As an adolescent, she was fortunate to go to a high school that specialized in fine arts where she took sculpture, painting, photography, welding and art history classes. This unique opportunity fostered her growth, not only as an artist but as a human being. The years she spent in high school continued to enthusiastically encourage her in the direction of her aspirations. During senior year, she traveled to France with her teachers and peers. The visit to Monet's gardens, where he painted his epic masterful water lilies, sealed the deal. Being in his gardens

overlooking the pond, his paintings took on a life of their own for her.

Subsequently after high school, she moved to Manhattan and studied Fine Arts at The

Fashion Institute of Technology. This is where she came to the realization that she wanted to be like her professors, a mentor to artists. Little did she know that this would not come easily. She continued to grow as a student. Eventually, completing her bachelor's degree in Studio Art at Hunter College on the Upper East Side in Manhattan. She spent time during her undergraduate studies abroad in Madrid where she majored in Art History while taking classes at the Prado Museum. Armada joyfully scrutinized paintings by El Greco, Picasso, Velazquez and Goya.

When she returned to New York City, she worked in the back offices at the Metropolitan

Museum of Art because she wanted to get as close as possible to the paintings. She made her way to the restoration department on several occasions to see what was being worked on and by whom. It was fascinating and exhilarating. Armada once got so close to a Van Gogh that she was able to analyze every minute brushstroke.

Shortly thereafter, she was employed by the Garth Clark Gallery as the office manager.

The Garth Clark Gallery is one of the most renowned ceramics galleries in New York City. This opportunity afforded her the ability to see the daily inner workings of a gallery firsthand while being an active participant. Her favorite part of the job was getting to know the artists and collectors. She was able to pick their brains from an artist’s perspective. Most days, Armada was captivated.

In September of 2013, she had her first solo show at The Centro Español – La Nacional on 14th Street in New York City entitled Exponential Potential. She was humbled by this opportunity and, with great success; sold 17 of the 21 paintings in the show. Armada continued to exhibit her paintings in Spain for several years where she lived until moving to Dubai in 2018.

In 2019, she returned to NYC where she currently resides after teaching Art and English in Spain, Italy and Dubai. That golden magical thread that began guiding her at the age of five continues to pull Armada towards her dream, no matter how far she journeys.