Meet Rosanne Nitti | I am a Real Estate Broker and Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rosanne Nitti and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rosanne, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?

I feel the most important factor in my business is people. My business is based on relationships and being able to nurture long term relationships while building new ones. I have some amazing mentors and coaches who have impacted me and are key to my long and short term success. It’s nice to be able to have people in your life who are willing to give me another point of view or to bounce ideas off of. Especially in being creative. Not judging yourself and taking risks has been freeing in my life. I don’t live in side a box that someone has created for me, I’ve created my own reality which doesn’t fit into a box.

I put a lot of effort into staying into making sure that I stay true to myself and not get caught up in opinions, banter, noise or negative thinking. I’m a positive person and for me waking up grateful every day is key to being successful in life and business. Although I’m very a social person and get along well with all types of people, I find my quiet time is important to recharge and take care of myself.

I love nature. Taking hikes and being outdoors helps my mind set to stay balanced. I hike the area near my home a few times a week and take nature based vacations for the rejuvenation of my mind and body.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
From the Eye through the Camera to the Eye – I want you to feel like you are inside my art. Like it’s alive.   My work is based on feelings, lines design, architecture, contrast, textures and grit.

I grew up in a rural area of Southern California where we grew our own vegetables, played in the mud and tended to various farm animals, I was always out taking photographs of what was in my own backyard. Whether it be animals, mushrooms or the old barn.  I like to see the beauty and design of the ordinary. My parents bought me my first camera at 16 years old and it lit a spark in me that has been with me to this day. My parents are my biggest supporters and have given me the confidence and will to keep living my dream.

Although accepted to Brooks Institute of Photography in the early 80’s, life got in the way, Married and divorced by 22, I never gave up my dream even when I had to go out and earn a living. I wasn’t always able to make a living in the art world and got my real estate license in 1995. I currently live in between two worlds of business, the creative and the professional. My left brain, right brain head seems to thrive in this environment.

At 26 I moved to Maui and Oahu in Hawaii, I went with $50 and a backpack and stayed 15 years.  I then moved to Florida and Virginia Beach, I’ve lived near the ocean for most of my life.  Hence you will see “Art inspired by the Sea’

I moved “home” to California in 2007 to be closer to my family and to Laguna Beach specifically to be able to exhibit my work at the Sawdust Art Festival. It’s a Laguna Beach Non Profit who’s mission statement is about Art Education. I exhibit my photography and mixed media pieces, teach free and paid classes in color theory, collage, macrame and tile mosaic and am grateful to be part of this amazing organization.

When a collector purchases one of my works, the story behind their “why” is what makes me smile. They share childhood memories, love stories and special moments of the locations I photograph. These stories inspire me to continue to find new spots that I feel are important to document.  I know I’m not alone in my quest to record these precious landmarks.

Although primarily self-taught as a photographer, I have been mentored by old school film and darkroom masters. Kate Kronick at the Contemporary Art Center was an amazing mentor when I lived in Virginia. The darkroom was a place I would go to make magic happen. I create by taking what I see with my eye to the camera and back to the eye. I see the world as though I’m looking through the lens and capture it as I see it. I still shoot with film, although most of my work is now processed digitally.

I host macrame, tile mosaic, collage and barnwood sign stencil classes, I don’t like to say “teach” since I learn so much from those coming to learn from me. It’s more of a collaboration experience.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Living in Southern California is amazing because you are basically within an hour of the beach or the mountains. Some of my favorite places to have lunch with a friend are along the coast of nearby. I love having breakfast with a friend at The Beachcomber in Crystal Cove, it’s right on the sand and the beignets and eggs benedict are mimosas are to die for. They taste even better if you just hiked the Crystal Cove trails and have built up an appetite.

I also love Ramos house in San Juan Capistrano and Trevors on the Tracks in the same area. The Cliff in Laguna Beach for happy hour and sunset is also amazing. You can’t beat the view and the local musicians may just be someone famous.

I love taking out of town friends to Disney Hall in DTLA, the building built by Frank Gehry speaks to me and I can spend hours looking at the lines and design.
Getty Museum is also a place to hang out, share a glass of wine overlooking the view of LA and enjoying the art and architecture.
If a friend is visiting in summer, I take them to Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach, a one of a kind art presentation that is sure to please. There are three art festivals in the summer in Laguna beach and I know many of the artists and like to show them off to friends and family. Visiting friends love meeting the artists and feeling part of the community.

A day trip up to Lake Arrowhead to hike in the forest and have lunch on the lake is also one of my favorite things to do.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach a local non profit for over 55 years, has been given me so many opportunities as an artist. I’m grateful to be part of this organization.

Kate Kronick, master photographer in Virginia Beach Virginia, gave me the confidence and knowledge to move my work forward and exhibit it out in the world. Huge shout out to Kate showed me around the darkroom and gave me a better understanding of the craft.

In the real estate world, my first broker, Patricia Buckman in Honolulu in the early 90’s taught me the importance of relationships and how you treat people and nurture those relationships are key to any business or personal success.

Website: https://www.rosannenittifinearts.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosannenitti_finearts/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosannenitti/

Twitter: @rosannenitti

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RosanneNittiFineArts

Image Credits
Stephanie Simpson Photography did my photo shoot.