Artist Biography
Omar was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He graduated with honors with a degree in Fine Arts and Illustration from Luzerne County Community College, and he is an alumni of the Ani Art Academy Waichulis. Raised by spiritual and supportive parents, Omar drew on positive life experiences to shape his work. The truth and honesty he strives to achieve in his work has captured the attention of many art lovers.
Many awards and accolades reinforce his success within prestigious national competitions like the Art Renewal Center’s Scholarship Competition, International Salon, a finalist in “International Artist” magazine, and the F&W publication, Strokes of Genius: The Best of Drawing. Omar exhibits regularly on a national scale and has participated in several key showcases.
Omar Rodriguez Jr. has displayed his artwork in galleries across the country, including Rehs Contemporary Gallery, Inc. in Manhattan with the Ani Art Academies.
Awards & Publications
Prizewinner in the Cider Painters of America International Art Exhibit (2018-2019)
Finalist in the Salmagundi Club Allied Artists of America Exhibition (2019)
Published in June 2018 issue of The American Art Collector (2018)
Finalist in The Art Renewal Center's International Salon (2010)
Featured Artist in The Citizens Voice “Capturing Realism” article (2009)
Finalist in The Art Renewal Center's International Salon (2009)
Fourth Place in The Art Renewal Center's International Scholarship Competition (2008)
Published in December 2008 issue of The Artist's Magazine (2008)
Published in November 2008 issue of The Artist's Magazine (2008)
Finalist in The Art Renewal Center's International Salon (2008)
Ethel Baum Memorial Art Award (2007)
Published in Strokes of Genius: The Best of Drawing by North Light Books (2007)
Featured Artist in The Highlander News “Waichulis Show” October 2nd article (2006)
Featured Artist in The Citizens Voice “Capturing Realism 2006” article (2006)
Featured Artist in The Citizens Voice “Capturing Realism 2005” article (2005)
Exhibitions
Luzerne County Community College Faculty and Alumni Exhibit (2007, 2019-2020)
Schulman Gallery, Nanticoke PA
First Friday Scranton (2019)
Luzerne County Community College, Scranton PA
Trinity Small Works Show (2019-2020)
Trinity Studio & Gallery, Scranton PA
‘Fool Me Once’ (2018)
Robert Lange Studios, Charleston SC
Tristate Invitational Exhibition of Trompe L'oeil (2017)
John F. Peto Studio Museum, Island Heights NJ
The Waichulis Studio 'Capturing Realism' Exhibit (2006-2017)
Pauly Friedman Art Gallery, Dallas PA
Cider Painters of America Annual International Exhibit of Miniature Art (2017-2019)
Mainstreet Galleries, Kingston PA
Atelier Joel Carson Jones Exhibit (2017)
Mainstreet Galleries, Kingston PA
'People' Art Exhibit (2017)
The Gathering Place, Clark’s Summit PA
Meals on Wheels of NEPA Featured Artist (2017-2019)
Glen Oak Country Club, Clark’s Summit PA
Featured Artist (2017)
Olde House Cafe, Dallas PA
'Synesthesia' (2016)
Rehs Gallery, Manhattan NY
The Glenburn Art Show Residential Exhibit (2016)
Dalton, PA
'SEXES' (2015)
Rehs Gallery, Manhattan NY
Featured Artist (2015)
The Main Bean, Luzerne PA
HAL 49th Juried Regional Art Exhibition (2007, 2015)
Hazleton Art League, Hazleton PA
First Friday Featured Artist (2015)
Body, Mind & Spirit Studio, Scranton PA
Solo Show of 25 Works by Omar Rodriguez Jr. dedicated to Andy Ewonishon (2014)
Widmann Gallery, Kings College, Wilkes Barre PA
Trompe L'oeil Invitational (2011)
John Pence Gallery, San Francisco CA
White Stone Gallery Exhibit (2009)
Philadelphia PA
Drawing Exhibit (2008)
Atlanta Art Gallery, Atlanta GA
Trompe L'oeil Invitational (2007)
John Pence Gallery, San Francisco CA
Waichulis Studio Exhibit (2007)
San Marino Gallery, Pasadena CA