Portfolio of Works

As I reflect on my current feelings, I find myself drawn to create a new collection that I've titled "The Child in Me." I am yearning for simplicity and a return to the carefree days of childhood. It's natural to wonder if it's possible to become a child again at my age. It seems that as we age, we slowly lose the ability to embrace our inner child. My mother used to refer to this as the "ruota" wheel - the cycle of life that goes round and round until it eventually closes. We start off as a wrinkled, bald, toothless baby who can't see, and gradually grow into adults. But eventually, the cycle reverses, and we become wrinkled again, our hair thin, our teeth tired, our eyes and hearing weakened, and we may need a walker or have issues with incontinence.

Having watched my parents and other older adults go through this cycle, I am reminded of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing each moment. And so, I find myself inspired to create this new series as a way of reconnecting with my inner child and embracing the joy and wonder of life. The process of creating this collection allows me to reflect on the nature of existence and what truly matters.

I’ve always felt a deep connection to Marc Chagall’s words: “If I create from the heart, nearly everything works; if from the head, almost nothing.” That sentiment captures the essence of how I move through the creative process.

The Strati series is my way of exploring the natural world, not just what we see, but what we feel within it. These paintings are rooted in the layers of earth, water, and air. They emerge from the textures of seascapes and skies, from landscapes that speak in quiet tones and shifting forms. Through abstraction, I aim to distill those sensations into something felt rather than explained.

Creating Strati is about immersion. Each piece holds a moment where I’ve surrendered to the rhythm of nature’s overlapping patterns, the way light bends on water, the hush of wind across a field, the subtle rise of stone beneath moss. These elements come together not as representations but as expressions of layered existence.

At its core, this series is about balance. It’s about standing in the middle of movement and stillness, being held and lifted all at once. My hope is that each painting offers a quiet invitation to experience that blend, the seen with the unseen, the known with the intuited

"Welcome to my new category, the world of Geometric Shapes: A Journey through Time and Inspiration. While I label it 'new,' these creations have always lingered in the backdrop of my art since my youth. Geometric shapes are more than just forms - they are a bridge between the visible world and the abstract, a way to capture the harmony and balance found in nature and the universe. They represent order amidst chaos, structure within fluidity, and the timeless connection between human creativity and the fundamental patterns of existence. Discover the source of inspiration and the stories behind these timeless geometric wonders in my latest blog post."

"My abstract landscape series is a testament to the profound connection between nature and the human spirit. These paintings are not literal depictions but rather an exploration of the essence, mood, and rhythm of the natural world. Through layered textures, dynamic brushstrokes, and a harmonious blend of colors, I aim to capture the fleeting moments and emotions evoked by landscapes that inspire me. Each piece is a dialogue between the seen and the unseen, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the serenity, vastness, and mystery of these abstract terrains. It’s an invitation to journey beyond the surface and connect with the soulful whispers of nature."

"My fresco series is deeply rooted in my fascination with old buildings and the peeling paint that reveals the history beneath. These sights vividly evoke my memories of life in the old country, where weathered surfaces hold stories of time and place. Inspired by the ancient techniques of fresco painting used in Rome and perfected by Renaissance masters like Giotto, Masaccio, and Michelangelo, I sought to capture that sense of timelessness and beauty.

To create these works, I meticulously layer plaster onto boards covered with linen, alternating between white plaster and egg tempera paint. I sometimes add gold leaf or powder pigment to enrich the surface, which I then work by imprinting designs and developing imagery. Once dried, a mixture of cold wax and oil pigment brings the surface to life, adding a lustrous finish that both protects and enhances the piece. This labor-intensive process allows me to achieve unique textures and colors, creating art that feels like a bridge between past and present."

"When I approach painting a figure, it rarely begins as a figure. Instead, it is an evolution—a process of adding, subtracting, scraping, and reapplying. In the past, my beautifully rendered figurative works often felt incomplete, lacking a sense of soul and connection. Over time, I began to omit features, allowing my mind to shape the figure in a way that felt more authentic. But the true transformation occurred when I stopped thinking altogether—when a landscape turned sideways became a figure, revealing how deeply intertwined we are with nature. It was a breakthrough moment, a realization that the figure wasn't something I painted, but something that emerged on its own terms. This powerful understanding has since guided my work, allowing each figure to find its own voice through the creative process."

As an artist, I'm constantly amazed by the power that art has over us. In these troubling times with the COVID-19 pandemic and the negative news coming out of Italy, I find myself turning to nature more and more. Lately, I've been painting a lot of olive trees. It occurred to me that the olive tree is not only a symbol of peace but also one of the oldest living things on earth. Some olive trees in Italy are believed to be up to 6,000 years old, and in my home region of Puglia, they're at least 2,500 years old.

I find these trees fascinating, with their nature-made trunks that look like sculptures. I can spend hours just looking at them and getting lost in their beauty. In fact, I've even written a few poems about the power of the olive tree. If they could talk, I wonder what stories they would tell.

Through my paintings of olive trees, I want to remind myself that nature has survived so much over the centuries and that we too will overcome this current crisis.

"My floral series is born from a lifelong fascination with the beauty and resilience of flowers. Surrounded by their intricate designs and vibrant colors, I feel a profound sense of wonder. For me, flowers are not just objects of beauty—they are symbols of life, magic, and the quiet strength found in nature.

I never cut flowers for my own pleasure, as it feels like taking away something meant to remain part of the natural world. Instead, I gather only those that have fallen or wilted, appreciating the life that still lingers in their fading forms. When gifted flowers wither, I cannot simply discard them - I hold a small ceremony, returning them to the woods to continue their journey back to the earth.

Through my paintings, I strive to capture the essence of flowers, not merely their physical appearance. My work seeks to convey the timeless beauty and hope they bring, reminding us of the delicate balance between life, decay, and rebirth."

I've been working on a series of "Natura Morta" - "Still Life", featuring a lot of containers or some would say Vessels.

It wasn't until the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic that I realized my art has evolved to reflect my current state. I started to ask myself why I was painting vases, cups, and containers. One day, while discussing my work with my artists group "Art from the Soul," it became clear to me. Each container represents a place to hold not only my frustrations and struggles, but also my hopes for a better future for us all.

As I paint each vessel, I imagine filling it with positive energy and light, and it helps me to stay focused on the good, even in the midst of difficult times. It's a reminder that even when we feel trapped or confined, there is always hope and potential for growth and change. These still life paintings have become a way for me to express my emotions and connect with others who may be feeling the same way.

I love working on paper just as much as I do with other surfaces. The beauty of mixed media is that it allows me to be free and experiment with a variety of materials. I often start with gessoed paper, then layer on acrylic, inks, watercolor pencils, graphite, and finally, oil sticks.

My approach to each piece is very intuitive, and I enjoy exploring how each medium interacts with the others. It's a playful process that allows me to let go of any preconceived notions and just have fun with the materials.

Ultimately, the artwork is finished once I achieve that visual harmony. It's a feeling of balance and completeness that tells me the piece is ready to be shared with the world.