DIGITAL PORTRAITS #3. PADDY CAMPBELL.

So glad to resume the Digital Portraits with an interview to a greatly talented artist and very dear friend, Paddy Campbell. Paddy is an Irish businessman that achieved beginning a new carreer as a sculptor, here in Florence, where he has exhibited in some of the most beautiful places like Palazzo Medici Riccardi and Fiesole. But let's hear Paddy's own words about how he changed his life following his deep passion for art and sculpture.

"Even as a child in Ireland I loved to draw and paint, and art was by for my best subject at school. I chose a career in business, but when I was about 50 years old I returned to art, and came to Florence to study painting. After a few years, I tried sculpture, which I realised was my natural gift, and from the year 2000 I spent three years full time studying figurative sculpture technique in Florence, where I soon found a studio. Since then I have worked and lived mainly in Florence, making sculptures large and small, first in wax and then having them finished in bronze or marble. To my pleasant surprise, they are exhibited and collected in many parts of the world, mainly in Ireland and Italy."

If Paddy is surprised, we are not, because his works have the special power to express a strong love for life and a vibrant, thankful passion. I love the energy of his athletes and I'm captured by the way Paddy can portray women, at every stage, moment, mood in their lives.

LAVORO. WORK.

Passione. Passion.

I chose to sculpt people because I was always fascinated by the human form, and also by the story behind each face, each gesture, each emotion. My passion comes from the Irish tradition of storytelling. I use form instead of words. Sculpture in place of poetry.

2.0

I use technology to improve my images (eg. Photography), but I work mainly which my hands.

Mondo nuovo. New world

Financial crisis are never permanent (nor are boom-times). Art survives in a crisis, but rarely thrives.

Mantra. Mantra.

“Art should stir the heart” (far vibrare il cuore)

Progetti. Projects

Next exhibition will be at Slieve Donard, Co.Down, Northern Ireland, in January and February 2014.

Paddy Campbell's exhibition in Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Florence, summer 2013.

ARTE. ART.
Estetica. Aesthetics. 
Beauty is what stimulates an emotional response, be this happiness, sadness, delight, even passion. Creative art enables us to indulge any one (or more than one) of our senses intelligently.
Arteterapia. Art therapy.
Art is sensual therapy
Sinestesia. Synesthesia.
I create sculptural scenarios which can embrace form, colour, sound-effects, lighting, and emotions. They become a 3-dimensional theatre which turn the viewer to voyeur.
Colore. Colour.
All colours excite my- eyes – even colours I dislike.
Fari. Lighthouses.
Artworks that I love include paintings by Van Gog and Egon Schiele, sculptures by Bernini and Ron Muech and poetry by Seamus Heaney.
I am greatly inspired by Bernini’s “Daphne and Apollo”.

CONTATTI

Paddy Campbell

Via Luna 24 a

50121 Firenze

info@paddycampbell.ie

WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

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DIGITAL PORTRAITS

ART ON ETSY # 3. JESUS PEREA

Abstract prints, altered landscapes, collages and paintings, I love everything Jesùs Perea creates especially those imaginary landscapes.

Born in Madrid in 1971, Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts in Universidad Complutense de Madrid. For many years, Jesùs has simultaneously developed his career as a graphic designer and illustrator along with his personal work. Currently, Jesùs's work is focused on the production of digitally generated pieces. 

When did you start being an artist? In my city, where I always live, Madrid.

Who influenced you? So many artists, hard to mention just a few.

What makes your work special? I think I can't answer that... I only can say that I feel happy doing what I do.

Where do you love to work? In my study, always listening to good music.

Why did you decide to sell on Etsy? A friend of mine told me about it, and I think it's a great place for selling art.

Find more of Jesùs Perea's beautiful art and purchase his creations here

WEBSITE

WEBSHOP

FACEBOOK

TUMBLR

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ART ON ETSY

ART ON ETSY # 2. ELVIA PERRIN

Today we are meeting one of the first artists I fell in love with when I discovered Etsy, Elvia Perrin. I love Elvia's elegant and minimal work, and it's a real pleasure to have her interviewed in my blog, thanks Elvia!

Elvia Perrin received her MFA from the University of North Texas at Denton, Texas, 2002. She was a collaborator, printer and artist at Flatbed Press in Austin, Texas from 2002-2009.  She was the Intaglio instructor and the class coordinator at Flatbed Press.  She has taught Basic Drawing at Texas State University at San Marcos after graduate school.  Elvia taught Printmaking and Drawing I at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas.  She currently is a Lecturer of Art at Texas State University teaching foundation courses and working in her own printmaking studio. Elvia lives and works in Austin, Texas.  She has shown nationally and internationally.

When did you start being an artist? I have always made art, but I considered myself an artist after graduate school. I felt  like I had a clear vision and voice in my work. I felt secure in my worth of my artwork and as an artist compared to fellow artists.

Who influenced you?
 I admire many artists like Tara Donovan, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Sol Lewitt, and many others.  I love looking at art and researching individual artists and their methodology.

What makes your work special? 
I like my work because it is sincere. It reflects my obsessive nature, it mirrors the balance of control and disorder in my life. I think my work is beautifully crafted, thoughtful and the true me.

Where do you love to work?
 I work in my printmaking studio in my backyard.

Why did you decide to sell on Etsy? I started to sell on Etsy because I wanted to share my work with as many people as I could and to have an excuse to make more. 

Your Mantra 
Be good, Get good or Give up.

A reason to buy art I believe you should buy because art that inspires you, engages you & is a piece you can’t live without it.

Find more of Elvia Perrin's beautiful art and purchase her creations here

WEBSITE

WEBSHOP

FACEBOOK

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ART ON ETSY

DIGITAL PORTRAITS # 2. SOYOUN KIM.

Eccoci qua a postare la seconda intervista dei Ritratti Digitali. 

Oggi incontriamo l'artista e fotografa Soyoun Kim.

Ho avuto il piacere di conoscere Soyoun durante la mia prima mostra, mentre tornava da Venezia, dopo aver vinto il premio d'arte internazionale Laguna.

Soyoun è nata in Corea ma vive in Australia, ha esposto il suo lavoro e vinto premi a livello internazionale. 

Ecco cosa dice del suo lavoro: "Sono interessata nell'espressione corporea e nel paesaggio semi-surreale basato sul concetto di indentità inteso nel senso più ampio, lavorando con la fotografa artistica e la stampa".

Here we are posting the second interview of the Digital Portraits. 

Today we'll meet the artist and photographer Soyoun Kim. 

I met Soyoun during my first exhibition, she had just been in Venice where she had won the International Art Prize Arte Laguna, and was on her way home. 

Soyoun was born in Korea but lives in Australia, she has exhibited her work in many galleries and won art awards worldwide. 

Here is what she says about her work: "I have been interesting in body expression and semi-surrealistic landscape based on the broad sense of term 'identity' working as a photo media artist and printmaker."

Soyoun Kim (clockwise):
Self portrait, Music Duet, Burnt for Serenity. 

LAVORO. WORK.

Passione. Passion.

Mi sono innamorata della creatività visiva grazie ai film, e volevo lavorare nel cinema. Poi ho scoperto il fascino del ruolo molteplice e integrato delle immagini fotografiche. Creare un senso visuale mi appaga.

I fell in love with the visual creativity in films and wanted to be in the moving picture industry. And found out the charm of multi integral role in still image works, 'photography'. Creating the visual sense fills me up.

2.0

Internet e la tecnologia digitale sono diventati parte della nostra vita quotidiana. Nella fotografia, ho vissuto il passaggio dall'analogico al digitale. Ho cominciato sviluppando le foto in bianco e nero in camera oscura, e ora invece lavoro con il computer. Dipende dal tipo di lavoro che faccio, ma sia dal punto di vista pratico che economico, è necessario utilizzare la nuova tecnologia per essere nel mercato. Non si tratta solo di facilità e comodità, ma di metodi differenti.

Internet and digital technology is became the part of our daily life.  In photography, I was in the era of changing from analogue to digital camera. I started with B&W processing in the dark room and now I use the computer software instead. It depends on what kind of works I do but practically and financially, I had better work with the current technology stream to be in the market. It is not just easiness and convenience but rather they are different methods.

Mondo nuovo. New world.

Se la crisi economica continuerà e peggiorerà, specialmente nel mondo del lavoro, artisti e fotografi dovranno necessariamente trovare un modo unico per sopravvivere.

If the financial crisis continues and getting worse, in specially job wise, auxiliary workers like photographer and artist need to figure out their unique way to survive I think.

Mantra. Mantra.

Fallo!

Do it!

Progetti. Projects.

Small mixed media group exhibition is coming this May and I am going to continue my on-going portraiture project 'Self, role play'.

Soyoun Kim. Self Portrait.

ARTE. ART.

Estetica. Aesthetics. 

Devo sentire la bellezza con il cuore. Senza questo, è come avere un'immagine da cartolina senza vita.

Have to sense the beauty with my heart. Without it, it is like the lifeless picture on postcards.

Arteterapia.Art therapy.

L'arte stimola e richiama tutti i sensi del nostro corpo e la mente.

The art stimulates and recall whole sense of your body and mind.

Sinestesia. Synesthesia.

Lavorando con le immagini, provo a visualizzare . L'olfatto e l'udito possono diventare colori e immagini disegnate di forme astratte.

As an image maker, I try to visualise most from the sense I felt. The smell and sound can turn into colours and abstractive shape drawing image.

Colore. Colour.

Violetto. E' complesso, ricco, elegante e sottile.

Violet. It is complex, rich, elegant, and  subtle.

Fari. Lighthouses.

I film sono il mio primo amore, ma dovendo scegliere opere d'arte visiva, la serie di autoritratti di Cindy Sherman, "L'urlo" di Edward Munch.

The movie popped up first but if I have to pick up visual artworks, Cindy Sherman's self portrait series,  Edvard Munch's 'the scream' .

Soyoun Kim. Etchins.

Scopri di più sul lavoro di Soyoun Kim o contatta l'artista qui

Discover more about Soyoun Kim's work or contact the artist here

PERSONAL WEBSITE 

E-MAIL 

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DIGITAL PORTRAITS

DIGITAL PORTRAITS 1. MONGOBì.

Per cominciare bene i Ritratti Digitali, oggi incontriamo l’artista e storica dell’arte Bibbiana Tanina Mele, alias Mongobì.

Sarda di origine e fiorentina di adozione, lungo percorso di studi in Storia dell'Arte, pubblicazioni, collaborazioni con riviste, critici, musei importanti, riconoscimenti ed esposizioni internazionali, dettagli nella bio.

Della sua ricerca dice “Lavoro sull’idea di scarto, sul tema dell’abbandono, della perdita e del recupero di qualcosa. Sia esso un oggetto, un pensiero, un’emozione. Utilizzo materiali di scarto, la mia arte è fatta di niente, privilegio il caso e lo inseguo con lo sguardo, quotidianamente. Inseguo un idea di arte fragile, transitoria. Ciò che mi interessa è il suo farsi veicolo di un messaggio, di un emozione."

Today we'll start off our Digital Portraits meeting the artist Bibbiana Tanina Mele, alias Mongobì. 

Born in Sardegna but living in Florence, Tuscany, long studies in History of Art and Contemporary Arts, publications, collaborations with reviwes, critics and important museums, international awards and exhibitions, more details here.

Here is what she says about her research: “I work on the idea of difference, on the theme of abandonment, of loss and recovery of something. I use waste materials, my art is made of nothing. I privilege the case and chase it with my eyes, every day. I chase an idea of  fragile, transient art. What interests me is its being a vehicle for a message, an emotion.”

Mongobì. Atoritratto digitale.
Mongobì. Digital Self Portrait.

LAVORO. WORK.

Passione. Passion.

Creo per eccesso di sensibilità e per necessità. 

I create out of an excess of sensibility and for necessity. 

2.0

E’ fondamentale. Consente al mio lavoro una certa visibilità soprattutto tramite i blog specifici e Facebook, agevola i contatti di lavoro e lo scambio di informazioni. 

It's important because it allows some visibility to my work, primarily through the specific blogs and Facebook, it facilitates business contacts and exchange of information.

Mondo nuovo. New world.

Non sono ottimista, la crisi continuerà a peggiorare le nostre condizioni di vita. Le novità continueranno a venire dal Web e dalla libera circolazione delle informazioni se si è capaci di scovarle. 

I'm not optimistic, the crisis will continue to worsen our living conditions. The news will continue to come from the Web and free flow of information if you are able to find them.

Mantra. Mantra.

Mi chiedo cosa avrebbero potuto creare Leonardo o Michelangelo se solo avessero potuto sperimentare l’ebbrezza del parto…. 

I wonder what could Leonardo or Michelangelo have created if only they had been able to experience the thrill of childbirth...

Progetti. Projects.

Attualmente sto collaborando con alcuni artisti americani nell’ambito della pratica del collage. 

I am currently working with some American artists in the practice of collage.

1. Still life 2012 Collage mixed media on paper. 2. Sky Blue #2 2012 Collage mixed media on paper. 

ARTE. ART.

Estetica. Aesthetics. 

L’arte per come la intendo io è molto simile a una supposta, deve dare un po’ fastidio. 

Art as I understand it, is very similar to a suppository: must give a little annoyance.

Arteterapia. Art therapy.

L’arte è liberatoria fuoriuscita dalla costrizione mentale.  

Art is liberating escape from mental duress.

Sinestesia. Synesthesia.

La sperimento spesso con la mia ricca attività onirica che in qualche modo, ma non so dire esattamente come, influenza la mia attività espressiva. 

I often experiment synesthesia with my rich dreaming activity and it somehow, but I do not know exactly how, it influences my expressive production. 

Colore. Colour.

Assolutamente ho un buon rapporto con il colore in generale. Oscillo indifferentemente dai contrasti forti a quelli tenui a seconda di ciò che voglio esprimere. Non associo nessun significato a un colore specifico, ma ritengo perfetta la compresenza di rosso-nero-bianco. 

I absolutely have a good relationship with the color in general. I use strong contrasts and soft ones, depending on what I want to express. Not endorse any meaning to a specific color, but I consider the combination of red-black-white perfect.

Fari. Lighthouses. 

L’elenco potrebbe essere infinito ma provo a limitarlo. Gli artisti Dada Jhon Heartfield, Roul Hausmann e in particolare Hanna Hoch. Robert Raushenberg  i suoi Travelling degli anni ’70 e poi Louise Bourgeois, Annette Messager, Stefano Arienti. Per la pittura Cy Twombly, Gastone Novelli, Paolo Masi.  

The list could be endless but I try to limit it. Dada artists Jhon Heartfield, Raoul Hausmann and Hannah Hoch in particular. Robert Travelling Raushenberg his 70s and then Louise Bourgeois, Annette Messager, Stefano Arienti. As a painter Cy Twombly, Gastone Novelli, Paolo Masi.

1. Shelter 2012 women’s hair, shoe, paper collage.
2. Sack of potatoes 2012 women’s hair, old sack, nylon stockings. 

Scopri di più sul lavoro di Mongobì o contatta l'artista qui

Discover more about Mongobì's work or contact the artist here 


PERSONAL WEBSITE
TUMBLR 
COLLAGIST
FACEBOOK

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DIGITAL PORTRAITS

RITRATTI DIGITALI. DIGITAL PORTRAITS.

Quando ero adolescente, pensavo che fosse necessario essere speciali per essere un artista.
Quando sono cresciuta, ho realizzato che tutti siamo speciali.
Quando sono diventata madre, mi sono concessa più tempo per dipingere.
Adesso, mi chiedo ancora chi sia l'artista.

Ma grazie ad internet posso parlare con molti di loro,
e posso chiedergli che cosa significhi.
Sono sicura che scopriremo cose interessanti con i 
RITRATTI DIGITALI
una nuova "rubrica" del blog che si propone di intervistare artisti
a partire dalla settimana prossima con... 
beh, ma questa è una sorpresa, tornate a dare un'occhiata!

When I was a teenager, I thought you should be somehow special to be an artist.
When I grew up, I realized everyone is special.
When I became a mother, I allowed myself to take more time to paint.
Now I still wonder who an artist is.

But, thanks to the internet, I can meet many of them,
and ask questions about what being an artist means.
I am sure we will all discover interesting things with 
DIGITAL PORTRAITS 
the new section of the blog interviewing and featuring artists.
Starting from next week with ... 
oh well, that's a surprise so stay tuned!


Ecco le domande alle quali risponderanno:
Here are the questions they are going to answer:

James Joyce.
A Portrait of the Artist
as a Young Man.

LAVORO. WORK.

1. Passione. Passion.

Perché hai scelto questo lavoro, cosa ti piace, da cosa scaturisce la tua passione…

Why did you choose this work? What do you like of it? Where does your passion come from? …

2. 2.0

La presenza di internet e tecnologia nel tuo lavoro. Se e come usi questi strumenti.

The presence of internet and technology in your work. Do you use these instruments?

3. Mondo nuovo. New world.

Come pensi che si evolverà la nostra società con la crisi? Quali sono le nuove opportunità?

How do you think our society will change due to financial crisis? Can you see new opportunities in it?

4. Mantra. Mantra.

Una frase che ti ripeti spesso, che indica la tua filosofia di vita, qualcosa che vorresti  raggiungere o che ispira il tuo vivere.

A sentence you often repeat to yourself, indicating your lifestyle, something you aim to reach o that inspires your life.

5. Progetti. Projects.

Progetti lavorativi a breve termine. Mostre, concerti, pubblicazioni…

Next events and projects. Exhibitions, concerts…

ARTE. ART.

6. Estetica. Aesthetics. 

Qual è la tua concezione del bello, il significato profondo della tua ricerca, dell’invenzione o il tuo modo di concepire l’arte?

Your idea of Beauty, the deep meaning of your research, your way to see and conceive art.

7. Arteterapia. Art therapy.

Trovi che l’arte sia terapeutica? Se si, in che modo?

Do you think art is a therapy? If yes, in what way?

8. Sinestesia. Synesthesia.

Una sinestesia  è una figura retorica in cui si abbinano sensazioni provenienti da sensi diversi. Intesa in senso psicologico è un fenomeno sensoriale/percettivo, che indica una "contaminazione" dei sensi nella percezione. Ad esempio un odore o un sapore che richiamano un altro senso, oppure vedere i suoni, sentire i colori. Hai mai sperimentato la sinestesia? Se si, come interviene nel tuo lavoro? 

Have you ever experimented synesthesia? If yes, how does it affect your work? 

9. Colore. Colour.

Il tuo rapporto con il colore. Ti attrae, ti lascia indifferente, quali colori ti attraggono, come stimolano le tue emozioni, a cosa colleghi un determinato colore…

Your relationship with colour: love, indifference, which colours attract you, how they stimulate your emotions…

10. Fari. Lighthouses.

Segnala una o più opered’arte-artisti che ami, che hai scoperto come un’illuminazione o che ti hanno influenzato.

One or more artists-artworks you love, that influenced you, or enlightened your life. 

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DIGITAL PORTRAITS