Daniela Pasqualini – A Recalibration of the Abstract
Daniela Pasqualini is an innovative Italian painter based in the United States who has exhibited her abstract works across private collections and exhibitions worldwide. Her passion for artistic expression emerged as a young child, which focused primarily on drawing and sketching. Her singular background and approach to artistry breaks down elements of flora and fauna by utilizing vibrant colors and intricate textures to widespread acclaim.
In this exclusive interview with NY Art News, Pasqualini breaks down her dedication to art, the process, and how a life outside the conventional has propelled her lifestyle, her mindset, and her creative aesthetic.
As an artist that has straddled both sides of the Atlantic, how has this experience influenced what you create and how you create?
When I moved to the USA I was moved by the many colors, different types of landscapes, but above all by the many different cultural experiences that I endeavored upon. In Italy, the creativity just flowed in a way with the history and culture. That being said, I didn’t necessarily change my creative process but it evolved to really utilize nature much more in forming my creative experience. Being here in Texas has provided me a surreal environment where I can express myself in ways that I didn’t know was possible.
Painting for me is a passion, a creative act but also a means of communication, to express what is in my heart and soul. My task is to communicate a message, thought or idea to whom my artwork speaks to. Painting has, for me, a cathartic function in that, through the canvas, brushes and paints I can express myself. The subjects of my works can be born from an idea, a well-defined image, or from pure instinct. The importance for me is to find the subject capable of arousing emotion.
I personally have the unique benefit of having experienced both life in Europe and the U.S. and as such the artist in me benefits from that. I think in Europe I am viewed positively because I am an Italian artist with an international appeal and here in America I think Europe and more specifically Italy holds special attachments for many given much of the U.S. is founded by European immigrants so the draw is still strong to connect in a way to their roots.
Art allows this to happen.
As a self-described self-taught artist, what are the pros and cons that come with this route to artistry?
Being a self-taught artist and developing your own skills with practice allows for a freedom to experiment. It also allows the ability to express myself and move easily between mediums letting me display my true self and style. Not knowing traditional techniques learned at art school and pre-defined ways to do things is liberating for one’s self and this can lead to finding your own personal style and direction.
I am a firm believer that while a craft can be nurtured or fine-tuned with teachers and school, creativity itself cannot be taught or learned. However, art school gives you structure, discipline, resources, a community and networking opportunities.
But in the end your success or failure depends on your hard work and passion and what you do to achieve results you desire. Being a self-taught artist requires more discipline on working time and consistency to establish credibility in the art world.
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Untouched Beauty
Original painting from the series REVISITING PLACES
What constitutes authenticity and what are the stakes raised when one decides to go down this path? Pasqualini explores it in this series. As someone that has criss-cross the world, Pasqualini conveys through her travels her emotions, and in ‘Untouched Beauty’, she boldly mixes acrylic, oils and chalk on canvas to take the viewer on a visual journey that is woven against vivid hues, deep textures, and subjective lines. Inspired by her own journeys, the piece could be described as unchartered territory waiting to be discovered.
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There is always an avenue to take when it oems to artistry, and Pasqualini’s course of action is a story all its own...
Which route did you take to learn how to express yourself as an artist?
When I was young a phrase of an artist stuck in my head: “Observe the world around you, closely, hungrily” - this is what I do. I am a big observer. I’ve absorbed views, noise, smells, then isolated the components that struck me. Because it is only by this identification and emphasis of selection that we get the real meaning of things. Reacting against conventional paintings, I have broken down the elements of flora and found objects into colors and lines. This approach allows me to convey not only visual but tactile sensations and rhythms similar to ones created by nature.
My paintings convey years of travel seeking stories of all kind - experiences involving nature, places, people, and sounds that are woven into the relationship with vibrant colors, texture and lines. The current artwork is an interpretation of the images and emotion accumulated from my travels. I hope that through scrutinizing this process I am able to communicate the essence of my surrounding.
Was it your initial plan to be a lifelong artist or did you evolve into one?
I absolutely evolved into a lifelong artist. I have a degree in economics with a master’s in finance. I left my finance career in 2014 and never looked back. Everything started with a Christmas gift from my husband - an ART set! I then joined art associations, met amazing open-minded artists, and I have been in galleries both in Europe and USA. I partnered with Lord and Taylor, I worked with interior design companies, an art consulting firm. Prints of some of my paintings are in the Marriott Hotel, Magnolia Hotel and I even took part in an exhibition at The Vatican. They say that if you do what you truly love, then you will never have to work another day of your life. This describes my situation.
How has the world of art changed over the past few decades? Which aspects do you absolutely love and which aspects turn you off?
The quality and aspect I love of the art world is the spirit of experimentation with fresh ideas about techniques and nature of materials with a full attention to the functions of art embracing the political and social changing. Artists experimenting with new and different techniques allow an openness that gives them the ability to express their feelings and emotions to send a powerful message to the audience. I am a full believer that art can be a medium for communicating what may not be able to be expressed in words. As the old adage says, a picture is worth a thousand words.
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Looking Up
Original painting, Looking Up
No matter how busy life my get, always remember to keep a sense of direction.
Here, Pasqualini tackles flora in this abstract pattern that bleeds and beats off the canvas in a striking mix of color that captures the essence of a life lived out loud. In this series, the work breathes from the canvas with an intricate pattern that is both daring and lustrous.
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From Italy to Texas, Pasqualini has lived expansive lives on both sides of the Atlantic. Here she delves into her experience between juxtaposed worlds...
You have moved from a liberal country to the conservative, red state of Texas. What are some of the biggest differences between these two locations?
I have had the great pleasure to live in a few different places and one thing that really has rang true to me is that no matter where I have lived I have had the opportunity to meet wonderful people who are very proud about where they are from and what they have to offer. The wonderful thing about art is you are able to transcend that and just appreciate what is in front of you because beauty is always in the eye of the beholder.
If you could give your younger self any advice now, what would it be?
Find your passion in life and pursue it. Perseverance! Never give up, never quit. Failure is not the end of the world. This is the formula for success. Do not be afraid to take risks, BE BOLD and trust the process, get out of the mirror and let people see who you really are! Trust yourself and when life gets hard (which does happen) remind yourself...this will pass and everything will work out as it should. And remember that the only person who knows what is best for you is you!
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Timeless
Original painting from the series, EMERGENCE
Time and space, space and time. When does it end? Or is there no limit, no bounds?
Using brushes and a palette knife, Pasqualini produces the piece ‘Timeless’ on canvas that seemingly has no beginning or end in this stunning gold painting from her ‘Emergence’ series. As the color cascades, the eye gets lost in the richness of it all, making each viewing a unique visual experience.
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What’s next for you?
Quite simple - to continue to build my brand with inspiring art for all to view.
You can keep track of Daniela’s latest works and projects by following her via social media:
Website: http://www.danielapasqualini.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/art_by_dany/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pasqdani
email: daniela.pasqualini@gmail.com
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