The Guy Behind the Paintings

The Why

Painting and creating art have always been my calling, and I have no memories during my lifetime when I was not creating art. From my childhood until now, the later years of my life, painting has been my singular enduring passion. It is also my love of nature and our beautiful world that naturally gravitated me towards landscape painting.

I often refer to my work as Endangered Art. Our world is changing so rapidly now due to climate change, and our guardianship of this planet, that many of the landscapes I once painted simply no longer exist or have been altered dramatically.

The Accolades

There have been many throughout my career, from the beautiful comments and testimonials about my work, to the National Commissions and purchases of my work in the top Galleries, Museums, and Private and Corporate Collections. Each are very special to me, and there are a few that really have stand out over the years.

The first was when my work started to be represented by some of the top galleries in the U.S. Another was when I was asked by the Governor’s Office for the State of Arizona to design and create the Christmas Ornaments for our National Christmas Tree in Washington D.C. Christmas is my favorite Holiday Season and for this Artist is does not get any better than that. It is also when my art started to be collected by museums and corporate collections that my work reached a new milestone.

Each accolade, recognition, and testimonial is a validation of my art and my career, and I carry them in my heart with joy and gratitude.

About My Work

While my body of work will always be landscape paintings, I have created other subject matter whether for a special commission, commercial work, of my own personal challenge as an Artist. All my Fine Art is always painted in oils. It is the perfect medium for me. It is also an archival medium that allows my paintings to withstand the test of time. I used to paint on canvas, but in my later years switched to painting on board (tempered Masonite) because it more durable and provides a smoother texture to paint on.

My Color Palette has not changed since 1977 when I studied under Master Artist Warren Smith. My palette consists of just nine colors which are Titanium White, Ivory Black, French Ultramarine Blue, Thalo Blue, Alizaron Crimson, Cadium Red Light, Raw Sienna, Zinc Yellow and Permanent Green Light.

The Journey

Anytime I had to myself as a child was spent drawing. I grew up in a Catholic Italian Family who owned a Bakery and Deli for half a century. So, when at 14 years old, I declared to my Father that I wanted to be an Artist for my profession, it was only natural that he would be concerned. My Dad then enrolled me in a Vocational High School, and while they did not offer any art classes at the school, I studied Architecture there and later in College.

It was during this time that I also started my two-year apprenticeship with Artist Warren Smith. It was under Mr. Smith that I established my style, palette, and techniques. After earning my Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts and my Master’s Degree in Education, I became a Fine Arts Educator and Department Chair for 25 years while developing my Art Career. It was also during this time that my work as an Artist started to be recognized and collected by both private and corporate collectors and my art business became a viable means to support my family.

Me Today
 

Today my art can be found among some of the most prestigious galleries and museums as well as private and corporate collections in the world. My Art Career has taken me half way around the world to 37 countries and counting. I have gone farther in my art career then that little boy drawing “pictures” in his upstairs bedroom could ever have imagined.

When someone ask me what is your favorite painting my answer is “my next one.” It is the journey I took to get to the place, the photograph it for my studies, and then take that experience and information back to my studio to create my painting. It is the moment that I begin the layout and composition, mix my colors, and the first stroke of my brush touches my board that get me excited. Even the hours of solitude I will spend alone next to that painting that takes me back to that place.

I have now traveled farther in the world than my father, or any of my family members ever had, and I have been more prosperous as well. But the truth of the matter is, that I would have kept on painting no matter what the financial rewards or recognitions I received over the years, because for me, painting brings joy to my soul.