Wednesday, November 26, 2014

New Painting - Thanksgiving


This week I decided to post one of my recent painting that I created for the Allentown Museum of Art show. The painting is titled “Wings of Unconditional Empathy” and was inspired by the artist Mora. It is a small burnt sienna study.

The idea for the painting is part of series that I am slowly bringing to life about the conflict of what I call the world of Apathy Vs. Empathy. In a world that used to be full of empathy, compassion, and other centeredness, has now found itself consumed in apathy, self-centeredness, and indifference. Attitudes have changed. At times as I watch society I find that there is an urgency to extinction. In times that feel long gone, families and communities could come together and give thanks and slow down to enjoy diversity and difference.

I have more to say on the topic but the bottom line that I have found is finding common ground to build on and putting yourself in someone else’s shoes before passing judgment.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and it is a time to reflect on family and friends and give thanks. Whether you find yourself down and out on the streets or just surviving to make ends meet. Give thanks for what you have and that is the family of humanity. If you can give more to help those who have less then do it.

There is a quote that I have written down in my sketchbook and I don’t know who said it but it goes like this…“Blessed are those that can give without remembering and receive without forgetting.”

Caniglia    

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Caniglia-New Oil Painting


Here is my latest oil painting “The Question of Life”.  The painting was inspired from notes in my sketchbook. Every artist has a story to tell about his or her life. Every person you meet or walk by on the street has their own story.  The homeless on the streets the person in front of you in line at the bank or checkout line has a story.  Every friend and work colleague in your life has a story.

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a fleeting moment.  Everyone has something to offer and share with you and you have something to contribute.  Imagine treating every person you encounter with respect and interest. I guess the question that I was asking myself was do we care about each other enough to really get to know each others stories.

But the story can only be told if someone asks to hear it.  As an artist I am constantly trying to understand the story and the thread that weaves through all of us.  I love the quote by the artist Eugene Fromentin “Art is the expression of the invisible by means of the visible”. When applied to an artist we filter expression and feelings into imaginary worlds never seen before. It can also apply to life, that we are invisible until someone wants to see us and ask us about our story.

Caniglia


CANIGLIA-WORLD WAR Z AND FILMMAKING



The sold out limited edition copies of World War Z should be shipping over the next few weeks from Cemetery Dance Publishing. I found out that Max Brooks gave me a “Shout Out” for this new edition when he was on the radio last week.

Here is the link to the radio / podcast. on 94.1. The Max Brooks interview is great and if you have time it is worth listening to. He talks about upcoming projects. If you want to skip to the World War Z "shout out." Skip to about 27:39 in the interview to hear it.

http://media.channel941.com/audio/102014+HOUR2.mp3

I have been having a blast working with my students on their films. The last two weeks I have been collaborating with film directors who have been guest lectures and visitors in my art classes.

Some of my guest this past week included Alexander Payne (Sideways,About Schmidt), Nathan Crowley (Production Designer: The Dark Knight, Interstellar), Tom Elkins (Annabelle, The Haunting in Connecticut). Jason Levering (The Shining) and acclaimed photographers and directors Marc Longbrake and David Weiss.

It was incredible opportunity for the students to have a chance to ask questions and gain insight into their films with the guest lectures, professional directors, writers, cinematographers, editors, and actors.

I have more news coming about upcoming projects.

Caniglia