ABOUT ROLINDA STOTTS

Rolinda Stott is a Tennessee based artist whose work is self-described as Bella Rotta — Italian for “Beautiful Broken.” It is an embrace of imperfection, understanding it as a channel to grace and freedom. Growing up on a dairy farm, she fostered a deep connection with nature—caring for animals, cultivating the earth, and appreciating its cycles. These early experiences, coupled with the simplified wonder through her children's eyes, heavily influence her artwork.

Arizona's landscape has captivated her since childhood. “There is magic in Arizona for me and I know you have felt it too,” she says. “The colors of the desert, the heart of the sun that warms the soul, even the air looks as if it is made of gold dust, giving everything a soft dreamy feel. These are all the things that keep pulling me back to Arizona.” 

Her paintings aim to capture not the literal but the essence of this environment. To convey this vision, she has devised a unique technique that imbues her work with a sense of timelessness and tactile dynamism. Beginning with her own handcrafted canvases, she utilizes oils and a palette knife to commence her creative process. Post-painting, she purposefully introduces real cracks into the canvas, setting her work apart from a mere “crackle finish.” She mounts these pieces on custom wooden frames, crafting the edges to suggest a torn, ancient mural plucked from a wall.

Through this process, she strives to create art that feels as if it has weathered centuries, inviting viewers not just to see but to explore, and ultimately connect with the beautiful brokenness that nature so effortlessly displays.