Diversity is a good thing and it
certainly exists in my work. My recent journey
back in to watercolor while still playing with acrylics is an example.
That makes me think of my Art Tribe, a
very diverse group and two of them more diverse than others, Anne Morgan and
Barbara Fugazzotto, I sent a list questions
because I wanted to introduce them to you all.
Since one of Barbara Fugazzotto’s many talents is writing I’m just going
to let her tell you about herself. But first an example of her work. You can see the variety on her website Fugazzotto Art Works.
And now, here's Barb --
“I've always considered
"home" to be where I am currently living. I've lived in Florida
for 30 years and currently I am in my new Home. I was born in Michigan
and have lived in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and New York State. My college
and career were in Michigan. My roots extend into these former homes and
into my family heritage of Sicily and northern Europe. I wonder if my
mixed media approach to creating is somehow related to my many
roots extending in different directions during my life.
Early in my childhood,
my mother taught me a variety of hand crafts--crochet, embroidery, and
most important, sewing. Since about 5 years old (she estimated, when she
gave me needle and thread and fabric scraps) sewing is still a
favorite activity in my art life.
She didn't
"teach" me to cook, but I must have learned how by watching
her and enjoying her delicious meals--made with love of family for the
family. Cooking for me is still enjoyable and I approach it as a creative
process with an eye for beautiful presentation.
My father's humble
Sicilian immigrant heritage has made me appreciate a spirit of adventure,
the "can do" spirit, and making something out of nothing, so to
speak. All of these qualities relate to being an artist. His rise to
PhD status in public health inspired my drive and achievement in school,
and interest in science. But the vivid enduring image of
him--"peasant in his garden" continues to touch my heart and connects
me with my family heritage here and in Sicily.
I have always
enjoyed art and craft activities--My biology diagram of the frog
dissection was in technicolor.
But I didn't think of
myself as an ARTIST. My father's influence "encouraged" me
towards a "substantial career--art is a good hobby". Ironically
I became an art teacher.... while looking for something more substantial. After
25 years, teaching was my substantial career. So I have always thought of
myself as a teacher and an artist. Now, after retirement, I believe I am
an artist.
Of the famous artists,
I've always loved Van Gogh for his use of color and vivacious brush strokes
patterning his canvas. My dear Aunt Louise, a career art teacher, had Van
Gogh prints in her house. When I visited her, I visited Van Gogh
too. Vermeer's "Girl with the Pearl Earring" was there too, and
nearby, fresh iris from the garden.
I really love Matisse’s
use of pattern and color too.
My favorite artist--one
I know personally and admire is Margaret Benefiel. Her use of color is
always so surprising and delightful. Pattern dances around her whimsical
figures, furniture, and flowers. Pure joy in every way.
I am energized by the
question:
What will the result be
if:
I use this medium
One this surface
Using this technique?
Having been a junior
high art teacher, my art experience, skills, and interests were
varied. I thoroughly enjoyed teaching and doing drawing, painting,
pottery, textile processes and all the variations and combinations I could
offer students.
There's that big
question:
Why not paint on fabric,
then cut it up and stitch on it and then make it a vessel on a wire
armature? The possibilities are infinite. Combining various
processes and media are similar to those earth building processes of nature and
cultural history.
In my travels around the
world, I gained broad first hand exposure to the arts and crafts of many
cultures. Some of those traditions and techniques have influenced my
studio work.
My early childhood
family trips Out West brought me face-to-face with dramatic landscapes of
mountain cliffs, mesas, and canyons, and earth colors I had never seen before.
At 10 years old, I
couldn't believe my eyes! Rusty orange cliffs and lavender dirt!
Indiana was flat, and dirt was brown. The amazing landscapes and primeval
processes were home to ancient cultures whose ruins added to the mystery and
wonder. All of this had a profound and lasting influence on my art.
In the studio, intuitive decisions about lines, shapes, and colors
have come from that vast subconscious resource of travel in the West
and elsewhere in the world. My media are layered, scrubbed, and
overpainted just as sedimentary rocks were layered and eroded by ancient
oceans, and scoured into fantastic shapes.
Wherever I traveled, the
weavers, potters, fabric dyers, painters and other artisans and artists
fascinated me. Their techniques, patterns, and color choices are
additional influences. Throughout the ages and around the world, a
procession of ancients have expressed the infinite possibilities for design ,
shapes, forms, colors, and patterns to embellish their everyday lives.
I believe my
artistic spirit is linked with those ancients and present day artists,
traveling this journey of creativity.
Other areas of life that
art influences -- my home and myself. I am reminded of Aunt Louise again.
She had a beautiful collection of Majolica pottery on display. The
name, the colors and the designs of those pieces were totally
captivating . On a buffet, she arranged what I have come to
know as a still life.
A vase of fresh flowers--iris, forsythia, pussy willows depending on the
season; a silk scarf carefully draped around a charming and
beautiful figurine. I stood there studying those compositions and
enjoying the beauty of it all and the concept of beautifying her home.
I love doing that too. And I try to have a put together look
with my own clothing, and accessories--hand crafted and
collectibles.
Looking at photos of my
early work, I saw some really good ideas there that could be re-visited, but
with more finesse, and polish, and an updated style of
presentation. Using found objects and collected stuff, I realize the
importance of "MAKING IT MY OWN". Weaving on a bicycle wheel
has to be taken way beyond the wheel and the yarn. The elements have to
give up their identities to blend and become a unique (disguised?)
identity. This is a concept I try to keep in mind always.
I am not doing extensive
world travel anymore, but I treasure those decades of experiences. They
are still a resource I draw upon.
Here in Florida, I have
some connections with artists and art groups. Some friendships are slowly
developing, but for now these are opportunities for showing my
work, and meeting the artists and gallery people.
My ART TRIBE in
West Michigan is my long standing group for enduring friendships, sharing art
ideas and current life events. We've combined our creativity in
group shows at the Gallery Uptown in Grand Haven. For more than 40
years, this group has supported, encouraged, and enjoyed the artistic life of
each of us. Even across the miles, I feel that I am part of this Tribe, and
benefit from that inclusion.”
And like Barb, we all
feel that we benefit from the connections that make up our Tribe.
