Apparitions:Cellular

The figures in the Cellular series of works, spawned from Apparitions, are every day people engaged in daily life.  The appropriately titled Cellular considers not only the device which has become a quasi-human appendage, but also the consequences of the new media, designed to "bring people together": increasing isolation.  Choose your distraction. A strange beauty, both individually, and as a grouping  Look for these figures-they are everywhere!  The central figure, in perhaps the most liberating gesture, gazes towards the sky....whatever...
Cellular has impact of scale in that it is rather large at 48"x 72" in size.  It is mixed media on canvas and available through Gallery 133.
Enjoy the holiday season....try not to do all of your shopping online.......

If you are in Toronto for the TORONTO INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR, Friday October 25(opening night)-Monday October 29,2012, please check out my work at the HAZELTON GALLERIES booth.  I am delighted to be part of this annual exhibition.  My work will be in good company "hangin'" with names like Morrisseau, Keyhani, Johnston, Miro, Diaz, Manera, Abraham Anghik Ruben, and yes, even Picasso! Many thanks to the directors of Hazelton for making it happen.  In many ways, this represents an opportunity for collectors of my work to enjoy a highly acclaimed show that presents each piece in a context that transcends decor and opens a discussion centered on the artistic soul of each piece.  I've made it a point to attend this show every year, but obviously, this year will be special.
A heartfelt thanks to all of you who have collected my work, and have continued to take an interest in what I do.  
Pietro

Autumn walks

I continue to explore the solitary figure in space in the series:Apparitions.  In the 36x60 piece, Domani Pioggia,  the characters go about their daily business of walking in the urban environment with some of them looking skyward perhaps in anticipation of a rainfall.  Today is a known quantity-but tomorrow-well, it looks like rain...but that too, is a good thing.
Apparitions is available through Hazelton Galleries in Toronto, Gallery 133 in Toronto, Progressive Fine Art (internationally), Art Gallery of Hamilton.
Autumn in Ontario is a wonderful time of year-uplifting and inspiring!  We drove through Gatineau last week, parked near Lake Meech and walked for hours.  The imagery will resonate in the next body of work!  It's funny how I need to get out to be inspired by nature and while I'm there, I get the urge to run right back to the studio!  I suppose plein air painting satisfies the alla prima urge in some ways, but I prefer the unrestricted creative environment that is the studio.  The images may be great, but there's nothing like the feeling one gets when under a canopy of sun-drenched maple leaves of golden yellow, rust, maroon, crimson and remnants of apple greens.  I prefer to go back and paint the vivid memory of that feeling.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Helen Lucas, my professor and inspiration as she travels to Ottawa to receive Queen's Jubilee honours.  She is today, more than ever, a major reason why I am able to continue to fight the good fight!

The piece you are viewing is from the Emozioni series and is 48x72 acrylic on canvas.  You may come across the series in many galleries in North America and Europe.  Feel free to contact any of them for information regarding my work.
I recently had more confirmation about the power of this site and this blog!  I ran into some former students and their families on the weekend who were up on my my latest work and had attended shows in Chicago, New York, Ottawa-one managed to sneak a peek at a gallery in Frankfurt on a business trip.  Cool enough, for sure-but the icing on the cake came on Sunday afternoon when I met a former student and his wife who are still involved in art (interior design) and whose passion has never waned.  He proceeded to inform me of the various career paths taken by friends and former students (including an award-winning author and illustrator of children's books).  It was a perfect stitch in time as we parted ways to finish our tour of the Picasso exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ontario.
If you have the chance to see this show-you won't be disappointed!
Have a safe, enjoyable summer!

Thank you, Ezra & Patti Ballas

Some shows just bring out the very best in an artist.  It helps when the show is being held in a classic venue run by respected individuals in the art world.  I knew the evening was off to a good start when among the first to arrive was a professor from my days at U of T!  Professore Pugliese has been a lifelong mentor and friend, and to have his presence at the show was wonderful.  The evening shaped up to be very uplifting with the little, chic gallery getting crowded and noisy at times.  The positive vibe and enthusiastic response to the body of work will stay with me.  It is at once encouraging and humbling.  Everyone seemed to have a favourite piece or series.  Clients, some with pieces purchased over 25 years ago showed up.  There were people I had not seen since the late 80's who simply wanted to re-acquaint and touch base.  There were old collectors and about-to-become new ones.
A fantastic show.  A job well done.  I must thank the staff of Frame of Mind for their enthusiasm and first-class presentation of the work which hangs at FRAME OF MIND GALLERY, AVENUE ROAD, 3 BLOCKS S. OF 401 UNTIL MAY 5.
The piece above is titled "Nuova Pioggia", acrylic on canvas, 60"x60", 2012.  It is available through
Frame of Mind, 416 485 5731.
Many thanks to all who attended the opening.

Alba Nuova (New Dawn) pictured above is a 30x60" mixed media on panel piece finished in resin and is available through Frame of Mind Gallery in Toronto.

In response to inquiries about my work in the Mississauga/Oakville/Port Credit areas, please check Crescent Hill Gallery as well as Towne Square Gallery and Art Trax Gallery. If you want a pleasant excursion, check out the Art Gallery of Hamilton's beautiful collection and look for my pieces in Art Rental and Sales, AGH.

Once again, Thursday April 26 I will be hosting a solo exhibition at Frame of Mind Gallery on Avenue Road, south of the 401 in Toronto. I am humbled by the response and advance sales. I am taken by the reactions to the evolving series. It thrills me that people have become open to my various moods, explorations, tangents and reinventions. It makes this creative journey very interesting indeed.

I am looking forward to the upcoming show. In meeting and chatting with collectors and lovers of art, the artist is able to derive inspiration from yet another source.

The title of the show is Prima e Vera: a play on the Italian word for spring (primavera).

It alludes to painting "alla prima" or on site. It roughly translates to first is true.

The pieces, for the most part, are visceral and impulsive in nature, a nod to my first true love in painting: abstract expressionism. Many are derived from the Emozioni series, which I introduced last spring at the Richmond Hill Centre for The Performing Arts. The series has evolved into a much more dynamic, atmospheric collection. This well-received collection hits front and centre in this show in both resin on panel and mixed media on canvas. Also showing will be pieces from the Apparitions series, in resin on panel, canvas and limited edition artist enhanced and signed giclees.

The piece shown on the invitation above is from the Emozioni series and is two 48x36" panels finished in resin. It is tiltled:" Nel Vento".

See you on Thursday, April 26th at FRAME OF MIND.

Please mark Thursday, April 26, 2012 on your calendars. I will be at Frame of Mind Gallery in Toronto ( Avenue Road, S. of 401) from 6-9 p.m. I was asked to hold a solo exhibition by my long time good friends, Ezra and Patti Ballas for a good cause: One Family Fund. I will be looking forward to meeting you for what promises to be a lively evening showcasing my latest work. I humbly accepted the request for a solo and although many works from various series will be shown, I chose one from the Apparitions series above as my personal invitation to you.

You see, the Apparitions series, as I feel it, casts light on diversity, on our individuality, on our isolation yet interdependence as humans. It allows for each figure to shine while being a vital member of the group-I believe it is about respect for that diversity, that gift of life. Each figure is interesting in its own way-a universe unto itself. Each figure is someones daughter, brother, father, son, sister, husband or wife-each is truly a marvel, and irreplaceable.

I believe that the piece correctly relays the spirit of the cause-of the noble work by One Family Fund.

Please join me on the 26th....together we can make a difference!

Sincerely,

Pietro

Hazelton Gallery is located in Yorkville and is run by Rocco Pannese, Peter Priede and Lou Ruffolo. I have known them for as long as I have been an artist and I am delighted to be represented in their fine space. I can say without question that one look at the collection sets the gallery apart. My work is in fine company indeed. The collectible level of art that is represented is exceptional. Sculpture, painting and mixed media are juxtaposed gracefully, and presented with great care. It is a return to the gallery as a space for contemplation and reverence. That is not to say that snobbishness is the resulting air. Far from it. Call it approachable sophistication. With two other GTA galleries as resources (Kipling and Canadian Heritage in Kleinburg), the trio represents an important aspect of art in greater Toronto. I wish the boys all the best and I know they will continue their legacy of fine service.

The piece above is titled: "Tempesta d'Amore" (2 40x40" mixed media on panel with resin). It is once again, part of the Emozioni series. Contact Hazelton Gallery for more information.

Is the 64x64" piece above a total abstraction? Yes, it could be inspired by Les Automatistes, or Painters Eleven, or Riopelle or Pollock-or both. But it is a Pietro Adamo original, inspired by nature. It is, at first, a riot of beautifully applied impasto and seemingly random splashes of colour. A closer look reveals timeless reflections, suggestions of loose underbrush and yes, you can see what he sees-the four seasons. I know this is what inspires him most in this type of painting. I know this because I have spent many hours walking with him. I wanted to write this because this piece in particular means that his Giardini series is moving in a brilliant new direction. I wish I could keep them all, but alas "Four Seasons Along The Humber" will have a beautiful home for a family which is richly deserving.
-Erica Adamo