Caniglia Portrait Commissions

Over the last year I did two big portrait commissions. I have added some pictures so you can get an idea of how big the pieces actually are. The first painting I did for Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart School in Omaha. The oil painting is about 30”x40” in size and portrays Janet Erskine Stuart (1857-1914). The painting is now on permanent display at the school in the main hall as you come into the school. The painting took over 7 months to complete.

Janet was born and raised in England. She entered the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1882 and also became one of the leading teachers of her time. She believed, "it is not so much what we say or do that educates; what really educates is who we are". Stuart insisted that educators must "bring up children for the future, not for the present". She wrote an entire book dedicated to the education of young women.

The other portrait commission I created this past year was for Beveridge Magnet Middle School for the Arts. The school commissioned a portrait of 5 of their gifted students. I created the painting so the students are looking towards a bright horizon off to the left. The idea is that the bright light is their future and they gaze off the picture to a future that awaits them. The painting took over 6 months to complete.

The painting is now on permanent display in their auditorium. If you get the chance take the time to go see the paintings. Pictures do not do them justice. I have more paintings that I will show later this week.

Thanks

Caniglia    

Je Suis Charlie

Post from January 11,

This week the world witnessed more attacks on innocent people. My heart goes out to the people of France and the horror that unraveled in Paris. I know as a fellow artist who creates art that deals with both social and political issues that I stand in solidarity with the people of France and with these my fellow artists who support freedom of speech.

Today, a historic crowd of more than a million people including 40 world leaders jammed the streets of Paris to show their unity and support. In a world that can seem dark at times, there is always a light of hope and humanity that seems to rise above the chaos of extremists.

I created another silkscreen painting based off my “Tanks4Nothing” series. The little girl stands with her pen quill in the face of extremist guns and is not afraid. This piece is for those artists at Charlie Hebdo who knew that freedom of speech is worth the fight and the pen is always mightier than the sword.

Je Suis Charlie…

Caniglia

Happy New Year and Gallery Shows

Happy New Year! I know it’s hard to believe that 2014 has come to an end already! And, with the arrival of January, now is the perfect time to reflect back on this past year… I first wanted to thank everyone who came out to my Bancroft Street Market Gallery art show in December. The show featured more then 40 pieces of my classical atelier style drawings and paintings. The show was called the “History of Little Italy” and featured the singing talents of Carmelita De La Guardia who sang opera and classic Sicilian songs. Louie Marcuzzo who gave the lecture and told personal stories of Omaha’s Little Italy and how the traditions in art, music, faith and food have carried over from Sicily into Omaha.

I always feel that it is important to take the time to reflect on 2014 so that you can create an inspired 2015. I believe it is one way to move forward on anything you are trying to do and accomplish. I find that it is not only important to write down new years resolutions but to also find a way to support your ideas to make them happen. Give yourself time for reflection, growth, contemplation, and family. Not easy when you are trying to balance jobs and other obstacles life throws at you. So I feel it is key to try to set realistic goals while dreaming a little, keeping a balance between challenging yourself and being flexible.

2015 is going to be a busy year for my work as I am pushing into new areas. I have 4 art shows coming up this year and will keep posting dates as I get them from the galleries and museums. I am also currently working with Tabitha King on two of her novels this year. I also turned in the final cover art for Anne Rice “Interview with the Vampire-Special Edition” which will be re-released this year as an anniversary edition with all new extra features. I am also currently working on two films as a concept artist. I will have more info on the films as we get through film production. I am also teaching more this year at Creighton Prep and this summer at the Kent Bellows Visual Art center. In March I am taking a group of students to Italy and Greece to study the history and the art. This trip should be very inspiring.

I appreciate everyone who collects and follows my art. I hope that it has moved you or inspired you to create in some way. Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I will keep adding more updates so check back for more news to come.

Happy New Year!

Caniglia   

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    

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     

Caniglia-Fruit Studies

Here are a few more of my latest fruit studies. These still life paintings are a great way to understand light, shadow, color and composition. The still life painting genre is as diverse as its history is long. From the times of the early Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans paintings of fruit can be found on tomb walls, tile floor mosaics and wall paintings in Pompeii all the way to Rome and the High Renaissance.

Even in our modern day and age, works of art with contemporary themes of fruit and still life painting is still going strong. The genre has always been one that artists turn to again and again when they are not working on bigger commissions.

These studies are so important for artists to pursue to understand color and light. Through them, still life art compositions articulate ideas about our natural world, religious symbolism, personal as well as allegorical explorations, and universal human reflections on life and death. I have been enjoying bringing these little fruit studies to life during the fall season. Artists can look to this unique genre for the answers that painters are forever trying to find.

If you are interested in purchasing any of the paintings please e-mail me here on my blog and I will let you know the price with shipping included.

Thanks

Caniglia