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Before becoming one of Altos de Chavón’s standout alumni, Pedro Rogelio Troncoso studied aviation in Santo Domingo. Then, somewhere between flight plans and sketchbooks, art took hold. He taught himself to draw, enrolled in the Fine Arts program at Chavón School of Design, and never looked back. Now, he’s heading to New York with a full scholarship to the prestigious Parsons School of Design.

“I’m still trying to figure out how maps, clouds and airplanes led me here,” Tronocoso tells Casa de Campo Living.

When did your passion for art begin?

I’ve always loved drawing. In school, I’d sketch on notebook covers and copy images I liked for my friends. I always felt comfortable holding a pencil and expressing my ideas. I remember a red car I made in kindergarten with crayons. My teacher hung it on the wall, and I was so proud. That was my first piece of art — and my first mini-exhibition.

How do you describe your work?

I’m inspired by the simplicity and honesty in everyday life. I use art to connect with others and to encourage emotional honesty. My work often reflects that tension between our inner selves and what we show the world. I want people to feel something they might usually keep hidden for fear of judgment.

Tell us about your recent work on childhood.

As I got older, I noticed how social expectations started to limit how I expressed myself. It felt like I had to stop doing things I loved just because I was “growing up.” That got me thinking about children and their natural ability to be spontaneous and sincere.

I looked back at my own childhood and decided to include my family in the creative process. I painted their expressions — serious, reflective — and layered those portraits with crayon-like elements to represent memory and imagination.

Then I visited El Hogar del Niño. I gave the kids a chance to draw on top of a realistic painting I’d done. They didn’t hesitate. They followed their instincts, not rules. Watching them reminded me how children often hold on to the honesty and spontaneity we tend to lose as adults.

How has your time at Altos de Chavón influenced your growth?

Chavón helped me see art as more than just technique. It’s a personal journey. When I arrived, I felt lost. Over time, I became more aware of my surroundings and how to turn that awareness into visual ideas.

Chavón taught me to work with passion, intention and to commit to my craft. It’s a place that gives you tools, yes — but it also gives you space to find your voice. To me, Chavón isn’t just a school. It’s a community where you can rebuild yourself into the artist you always imagined becoming.

*Photos courtesy of Pedro Troncoso

This interview was previously published in our sister publication, CasaLife magazine, Fall 2018