aldea girl (2006) Painting by Nvjasmin

Art has always been a passion for Nellyvette who, now in her early 40s, is carving out her niche in the art world as "N.V. Jasmin". Her daughter, Maura, inspires her work. A mother of three, Nellyvette recalls growing up in Ponce, Puerto Rico where, at the age of 10, she picked up a pencil and began sketching in her father's notebook at the dinner table. She was the oldest of three children born to a home builder and his wife, a school teacher. Back then, she had set her mind on becoming a doctor, so she attended the University of Puerto Rico before transferring to a medical school in the Dominican Republic. It was there that she met and married her former husband.
The family had moved first to Miami - where Rodriguez became a cosmetologist - then to Youngstown, Ohio before finally settling in the Suntree-Viera area in 1995. Over the years, Rodriguez's paintings progressed to include more color and texture; her style matured into a more contemporary approach with bold, vivacious strokes on canvas and board. "Beauty and passion are always on my mind when my paintbrush is in my hand," she said. She is currently working with both Native American motifs and lush landscapes.

• Nationality: PUERTO RICO
• Date of birth : 1963
• Artistic domains:
• Groups: Contemporary Puerto Rican Artists