Representing her Spanish culture in contemporary western art

 

Born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico, Gladys Roldan-de-Moras is known for her paintings which spotlight Spanish culture, including courageous, gallant Mexican escaramuzas daringly riding horses sidesaddle in a rodeo-style festival, romantic Flamenco señoritas clad in exuberant Andalusian dresses, and old-fashioned, delicate damsels in intimate, exquisite poses.  After living in San Antonio for over 30 years, she finds great inspiration in representing her love of Spanish culture. “I try to paint the beauty around me,” saysGladys of her work, “I am inspired by turn-of-the-century Spanish painters.” 

 

Her talent has landed her work in many private and public permanent collections, at the national and international levels. Gladys’ striking, romantic art has been cited in several publications such as Southwest Art Magazine, American Western Art Collector, Western Art and Architecture, Architectural Digest European Edition, San Antonio Express-News, Western American Literature, Art Business News, El Dictamen de Veracruz, and La Voz Latina, to name a few. 

 

The product of a long line of artists and artisans Gladys was born  in Monterrey, Mexico. She began enjoying Art at a very young age and took a circuitous route to become a fine artist. After attending Medical School she left her promising medical career to become the fine artist we know today. In 1984 she moved to Austin where she received her degree from the University of Texas.

She has studied the art of painting under the guidance of distinguished National and International instructors such as Dan Gerhartz, Quang Ho, Morgan Weistling, CW Mundy, George Strickland, Frank Lalumia, Daniel Greene, Scott Burdick, Kevin Macpherson, Jeffrey Watts, Ron Rencher, Sherrie McGraw, Ken Backhaus, Laura Robb, Johanna Harmon, Janice Yow Hindes, William Hocker, Harold Phoenix, Helen Van Wyk, John Budicin, C.J Beck, Profr. Gustavo Trujillo Martin del Campo and classes/ lectures by Richard Schmid.

Gladys credits her growth as an artist to the years of study and guidance under Daniel F Gerhartz.

Her paintings have been acquired by National and International private collectors, The Briscoe Western Art Museum, The University of Texas in San Antonio (UTSA), United States Air Force (USAF), Desert Caballeros Western Museum, San Antonio Art League Museum Permanent Collection, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM), Hospitals, Law Firms, On-Board Software Co. etc. Her artwork has been featured in TV programs such as "Lo Mejor de lo Nuestro (Univision)and published in Architectural Digest International Edition. She has been cited in publications such as the Southwest Art Magazine, American Western Art Collector, Western Art and Architecture, Cowboy and Indians, San Antonio Express News, Western American Literature, San Antonio Woman, Dallas Morning News,Prime Time, Tritonian, Art Business News, El  Dictamen de Veracruz, and La Voz Latina.

2026 "Tejano Legacy: Another American Origin Story"  The Briscoe Western Art Museum, San Antonio, Texas.  

2026 18th International ARC Salons (Art Renewal Center) International Realism. Figurative Category Honorable Mention "Siempre" 48 x 35 in

2025 Keynote Speaker. American Women Artists The Annual Symposium of Women in the Arts National Sporting Library and              Museum. Middleburg VA

2025 Western Life and Style 2025 30 0ver 30 honoree. Fort Worth, Texas

2024 Induction into the National MultiCultural Western Heritage Museum and Hall of Fame. Inductee class of 2024 (July 27)

2023 Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)"Texas Women in the Arts Recognition Award"

2023 One of twelve Finalists for the "Texan of the Year" title given by the Dallas Morning News.

2023 Induction into the NATIONAL COWGIRL MUSEUM AND HALL OF FAME. Inductee class of 2023

2023 FREDERIC REMINGTON AWARD at the Prix De West at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

2022 PATRONS' CHOICE AWARD at 2022 QUEST FOR THE WEST ART SHOW AND SALE at the Eiteljorg Museum .

2022 Feb/Mar issue SouthWest Art Magazine. Feature Editorial "Born to Paint" 

2021 FRONT COVER of WESTERN ART COLLECTOR MAGAZINE Dic 2021 

2021 Winner of the Sam Houston Award for BEST PAINTING at the 2021 Night of Artists at the Briscoe Western Art Museum. 

2021 Elected board member of the American Women Artists Organization (PAST)

2020 Nominated for consideration to the Hall of Fame of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas.

2019 American Impressionist Society Panel Discussion. Guest speaker in the Best of Show Panel Group Discussion featuring three past AIS Best of Show Winners.

Briscoe Western Art Museum- 210/West Gallery Talk: Women of the West. I was honored to be a guest speaker and talk about my art in this beautiful new gallery of the museum which has one of my pieces in the permanent collection. 

2018 Grand Prize-Best in Show American Women Artists "Full Sun-American Women Artists Illuminate the Haggin Museum"

2017 David Crockett Artists' Choice Award. Briscoe Museum of Western Art 2017 Night of Artists

2016 Desert Caballeros Western Art Museum Museum Purchase award at the Cowgirl Up! 2016 Invitational Exhibition and Sale

2016 Desert Caballeros Western Art Museum Directors Award at the Cowgirl Up! 2016 Invitational Exhibition and Sale.

2015 Eiteljorg Museum "Quest for the West" Artists' Choice Award 

2015 Best of Show from the July 2015 BoldBrush Art Competition

2014 Master Signature Member of the American Women Artists

2013 Master Signature Member of the American Impressionist Society

2013 American Impressionist Society 14th Annual National Juried Exhibition Award of Merit

2013 February Finalist RayMar Art Paintiing Competition

2013 American Women Artists National Juried Competition Award of Merit

2013 Award of Merit-Online Juried Competition AWA

2013 13th Annual AMERICAN IMPRESSIONIST SOCIETY National Juried Exhibition "Best of Show"

2011 December Coppini Academy of Fine Arts "Artist of the Year" Award. 

2010 December "People's Choice Award" Coppini Academy of Fine Arts Miniature Show 

2010  October . "American Impressionist Society" Award for Excellence in Painting at the National Juried Show and Competition in Nashville, TN.. 

2009 June Fine Art Views Competition Finalist sponsored by Fine Art Studio Online

2009 August Fine Art Views Painting Competition sponsored by Fine Art Studio Online

The Julian Onderdonk Memorial Purchase Award at the 74th Annual San Antonio Art League and Museum 

Artist Magazine Award for Excellence in Painting" at the Oil Painters of America " Fourteenth Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils

Grumbacher Award 

"Jury's Top 50," Salon International 2007 and 2009, International Museum of  Contemporary Masters

 

 

RECENT YOUTUBE VIDEOS/INTERVIEWS/PODCASTS

Mexican Artist Gladys Roldan-de-Moras talks capturing Charreria and Making Time for Life Cowboys & Indians Magazine. June 2025

American Art Collective . Episode 244 Gladys Roldan-de-Moras  February 2024 

 

-Love is the Path to Success- Gladys Roldan-de-Moras The BoldBrush Show Episode 60 December 2023

 

-Induction into the CowGirl Hall of Fame class of 2023 Nov 2023

 

-Art Chat: My Chat with Gladys Roldan-de-Moras with Linda Riesenberg Fisler Nov 2023

 

-Masters of the American West. A Conversation with Gladys Roldan de Moras 2022

 

 

 

WESTERN ART COLLECTOR OCTOBER 2014

SOUTHWEST ART MAGAZINE JUNE 2014 EDITORIAL

Western American Literature Winter 2013 

 

During the summer months and Holidays she travels to her native land, Mexico and other countries where she works on paintings, teaches workshops, and searches for new ideas. She enjoys and encourages Plein-Aire painting, therefore seldom will you see her without a field easel and umbrella. She is a full-time artist constantly researching books and visiting Museums. Gladys collects and studies, turn of the century Art Instruction books.

Some of the Artists that she admires and looks up to are John Singer Sargent, Anders Zorn, Cecilia Beaux, Mary Cassatt, Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida, Nicolai Fechin, Richard Schmid, Jules Bastien Le Page, Dan Gerhartz, Howard Sanden , Alphonse Mucha and Abott Thayer to mention a few.

Gladys de Moras is a member of American Impressionist Society -Signature member, American Women Artists , The American Society of Classical Realism (ASCR), The American Society of Portrait Artists (ASOPA),The New York Society of Portrait Artists, Oil Painters of America (OPA), Christians in Portraiture, The Coppini Academy of Fine Arts , American Women Artists , KAWA (Kick Ass Women Artists) and Art by Latina Artists.
She lives and works in San Antonio Texas.

 

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 Interview

Art By Latina Artists
Celebrando la Mujer y el Arte -
The following interview is copied with permission from www.artbylatinaartists.com

Getting to Know Artist: Gladys Roldan de Moras

1) Tell us a little about yourself (what would you like people to know about you?), your background, heritage, family, what part of the country do you live in?, etc...

My name is Gladys Roldan-de-Moras. I am a full time artist. I was born and raised in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. My father is from Cali, Colombia, and my mother from Monterrey, Mexico. I grew up in a traditional conservative Mexican family. I married when I was 21 years old and have been living the United States for the past 20 years. I am married to Rafael Moras who is from Cordoba, Veracruz, and we have three wonderful children; Rafael (18), David (16) and Analucia (14) to whom we have tried to instill our Latin culture, heritage and traditions. We live in San Antonio Texas where I am a full time artist and my husband aside from being a very talented musician, is an Engineering Professor.

2) What was it that sparked your interest in becoming an artist, how did you get your start?

The dream of being an artist has been with me ever since I can remember. I have the most beautiful memories of so many art related events in my life. I can sincerely say that I can recall, with great amount of detail, paintings that I saw when I was very young. My fascination with art and everything of beauty has always been with me. After highschool, I wanted to pursue a career in Art, but my family was not very supportive about the idea. They very erroneously thought that Art was only for the “non-intellectual” What a misconception!. Therefore, at the age of 16, I was accepted into Medical School. During my years of study, I was fascinated with Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. I believe it was the creative artist in me wanting to manifest itself. All during my youth I continued to study art with whoever could teach me something. It was only after I married and came to the States, while I was in graduate school that I became pregnant with our first child. . Unfortunately, Rafael Jr was born with a serious health problem, and this is when I got to “live” the other side of Medicine, not as the care-taker but as the patient and I did not like it. There was too much pain. It was then that my husband told me he would support my decision of leaving the Medical profession and pursue what I had always wanted, which was my love of Art.

3) How do you classify your work?

Representational Impressionism. I try to paint from life as much as I can (plein aire, or alla-prima), and believe in trying to be as truthful as possible in representing the beauty our Creator has surrounded us with. Honesty in my painting is something I strive for every day.

4) What is your inspiration?

My inspiration is God’s creation. If I could only represent with my palette a little bit of the awesome beauty He has given us to enjoy, then my job is done! Sometimes I am asked what exactly inspires me to paint a certain subject, or group certain objects in a still life, and I must also say that Music does. I believe that music lifts our soul, and sometimes while I hear a beautiful melody, the ideas will flow and I will think about set-ups for models, or even still lifes. I constantly paint with music. It truly elevates my soul.

5) What type of music do you listen to while you paint? is there a specific genre or musical artist that inspires you?

I hear all kinds of beautiful up-lifting music and it will basically depend on the subject matter that I am painting and the mood I am in. For example, if the painting is from my series of Latin paintings, then I will play Mariachi music or even Latin Music such as Salsa, Cumbia or even Spanish Pop. If I am painting something as delicate as a vase of flowers, and I feel I need to be much more concentrated, then I will play some classical violin or piano concerto or perhaps a Cd with Soprano/Tenor favorites. If I feel I need a bit more inspiration, I will usually play instrumental music such as anything from “Secret Garden”, or perhaps religious music, that can vary from Gregorian Chants to Oriental music. I have such a varied and eclectic taste! In my Cd Collection you will find Jazz, Pop, Country, Zarzuela, Opera, all kinds of Latin Music, etc….

Usually when anybody stops by my studio, I have to lower the volume, since I like to paint to loud music. I like to feel that I am surrounded by music, or perhaps imagine that I am in a concert hall listening to this beautiful music being played.

But I must share with you that every morning, before I paint, and as I am setting our fresh paint on my palette, or adjusting my still life, I always start with a prayer asking the Lord to guide me in this painting, or if perhaps I am teaching, asking Him to help me share with my students what it is that each one needs to learn in that particular time.

Funny you should ask, I usually am not too good at naming my paintings, and sometimes I have named my paintings with the title of the melody that I played as I painted that particular work. It is so much easier for me to remember a painting by the music I played, then by the title I give it.

6) How do you want others to perceive your art?

I would like for people that see my work to see a bit of God’s beautiful creation and to see a little of my own heritage too. My greatest dream is to touch people with my art.

7) Do you have any events coming up?

Yes, these are in the near future
July 5 to 10, 2006 Paint out with the gallery artist of "Mountains Edge Fine Art" Gallery in the Pecos wilderness area north of Santa Fe with a show of the work in Sept. www.mountainsedgefineart.com
PRESS RELEASE: In July 2006 Artists represented by Mountains Edge Fine Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico will gather for a week long paint out in the Pecos Wilderness area northeast of Santa Fe. Days will be spent painting the pristine mountain views, glacial lakes and mountains meadows, mesas and the winding Pecos River and its valley. Pecos is a legendary place in the history of the West. Its all weather pass through the southern Rocky Mountains made it the natural route for Pueblo and Plains Indians, Spanish settlers, traders on the Santa Fe trail, and soldiers of both the Union and the Confederacy. In fact, in the imagination of a young nation “west of the Pecos” is where the West began.
Just as the artists of the 19th century followed the exploration of the West, our artists will record the enduring beauty and grandeur of the Pecos Wilderness. Paintings done “en plein air”, that is directly from nature, and larger studio works completed from these studies will be exhibited in a group show “ Landscapes of the Pecos Wilderness-Gateway to the West” at Mountains Edge Fine Art September 29-October 12. An opening reception with the artists will be held on Friday, September 29, 2006 from 5-7 PM.
September 2006 Group Show at "Mountains Edge Fine Art Gallery" in Santa Fe, New Mexico. www.mountainsedgefineart.com
January 2007. One- Woman Show at "Alla Prima Fine Art Gallery" in St. Petersburg, Florida. www.allaprimafineart.com
March 2007 Leading a group of artists to Spain for a study/tour of the “Sargent-Sorolla” Exhibit in Madrid.

8) Have you reached your artistic dreams? If not yet, where else do you see yourself artistically in few year's from now?

Through the years I have been honored to have received awards and recognitions, for which I am very grateful but I sincerely believe that I still have a long road ahead of me. There is still so much to learn, so much to paint and so much to share with my students. I would like to continue painting everyday as I have been doing up to now and try to represent the beauty that surrounds us as best as I can.

9) Share a mistake you made (if any) along your path to becoming an artist that you would not want anyone to recreate.

Unfortunately I do have a mistake and it is one that I constantly share with other women: Do not oil paint if you are pregnant or even considering pregnancy. It is not worth it. I would never want anyone to go through what we have gone through. I encourage other artists to look for other mediums but try to stay away from oil. I must say that it has never been totally confirmed that our son’s problems where caused by exposure to fumes/ mediums/ fixatives, but it is a guilt I will always carry with me.

10) Share a rare fact about yourself. (can be something silly, fun or even serious)

I guess, since I just answered the previous question, I will have to share more about our children. Our oldest son Rafael, who was diagnosed as having no-brain at birth, blind and quadriplegic, and after having gone numerous brain surgeries is a very accomplished musician. He is an 18 year old tenor, who is a four years in a row first-chair winner in Texas for classical voice, a NFAA (National Foundation for the Advancement in the Arts) winner in Classical voice, and is “2006 Presidential Scholar in the Arts”. In a couple of weeks we are headed to Washington DC where he will receive the Gold Medal from President Bush in a ceremony at the White House and will also perform at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. We will be forever grateful to the wonderful Physicians of this great Nation who have taken care of our son.
David and Analucia are also very talented Musicians.  (Rafael's website is www.rafaelmoras.com)

11) What words of inspiration can you share for artists that want to follow in your footsteps?

In the kind of painting I do, my best advice would be to find an artist who is willing to teach you and mentor you, honestly sharing his/her talents. There are many talented artists, but only few precious ones who will genuinely feel that they have been given a gift and that it is their duty to share this gift.. When you find him/her, don’t let him/her go, but learn as much as you can, and always remember that one day you will be the mentor, and it will be your turn to pass along the knowledge as it was given to you. There is room for everyone in this world. But no matter what:
Follow your dreams, believe in yourself, and always strive to be the best you can be!

12) Anything else you want to share or think is important for people to know about your artwork, your journey as an artist, instructor etc...

I would like to share with all those women artists who have a strong sense of family and are very serious about their art and who sometimes get overwhelmed and discouraged with having to deal with two very important aspects of our lives, that it can be done! If I can do it, anyone can. Let us show the world that we are serious about our work, that we value our family and heritage, and that we can be successful at both things!

God Bless Always
Sincerely,
Gladys


All Rights Reserved 2008 - Art By Latina Artists, LLC

 

 

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Galardonada con múltiples premios internacionales, a Gladys Roldán de Moras se le conoce por cuadros que, con un único e inconfundible estilo pinta preciosas escenas llenas de historia e inmortal tradición. Así, sus cuadros pueden describir algún colorido festival en el que gráciles escaramuzas, llenas de bella armonía e indomable arrojo, cabalgan con el innegable orgullo e inestimable honor de defender su preciado estandarte. En su delicada obra se pueden admirar también garbosas andaluzas cuyos exuberantes vestidos flamencos parecen aletear al caprichoso compás de los evocadores ritmos gitanos y libres volar en el cálido viento de la evocadora Andalucía.

 

Habiendo vivido en San Antonio, Texas, por más de tres décadas, el inspirado pincel de Gladys responde en una buena parte al entrañable recuerdo y valiosas enseñanzas de su abuelo paterno, un orgulloso charro que muchos años atrás fungió como promotor de la Charrería como deporte nacional en México.

 

Gladys ha recibido valiosos galardones, incluyendo los siguientes:

 

• 2022 Patrons Choice Award. Quest for the West- Eiteljorg Museum 
• El ser incluida en la portada de la prestigiosa revista Western Art Collector Diciembre 2022
• 2021 Sam Houston Award, mejor pintura en la exhibición anual del Briscoe Museum of Western Art, (San Antonio, TX)
• Best in Show Award, (el mejor trabajo en la exhibición) del 2018 American Women Artist Show.
2017 David Crockett Artist’s Choice Award (el mejor trabajo de la exhibición, de acuerdo al voto de los artistas), Briscoe Museum of Western Art (San Antonio TX)
• Museum Purchase Award (Premio Compra del Museo) y Director’s Award (Premio del Director), 2016 Desert Caballeros Western Art Museum. (Arizona)
• 2015 Artist’s Choice Award, Eiteljorg Museum (Indiana).
• Thirteenth Annual American Impressionist Society Best in Show (Mejor obra en la Decimotercera Exhibición de la Sociedad Americana del Impresionismo).

La obra de Roldán de Moras, siempre pulimentada, luminosa, vívida y dramática, se encuentra en muy importantes colecciones públicas y privadas. En esferas nacionales e internacionales, su refulgente trabajo ha aparecido en relevantes publicaciones como Fine Art Connoisseur, Art of the West, Southwest Art Magazine, American Western Art Collector, Western Art and Architecture, Architectural

Digest European Edition, entre otras más.

 

Gladys está representada por InSight Gallery de Fredericksburg, Texas, McLarry Fine Art en Santa Fe, Nuevo México . Participate en los siguientes eventos:

 

Quest for the West- Eiteljorg Museum (Indianapolis, Indiana) (Septiembre)

Night of Artists- Briscoe Museum (San Antonio, Texas) (Marzo)

Prix de West-National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) (Junio)

Masters of the Autry - Autry Museum of the American West (Los Angeles, California) (Febrero)

 

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