(An A to Z 2013 Challenge Entry)
Once
again, I deviate from the planned path after a new random idea comes to
me. I was going to share a handful of trailers for movies I’m looking
forward to this year. I am a movie trailer buff afterall!
Instead,
I thought I would share some information I learned about a piece of art
I’ve had for some time now. One that has always, for inexplicable
reasons, drawn me to it. I will randomly think about it and become
curious of its origins. Preferring not to have anything on my walls —
they have been bare white for almost seven years (minus the posters and
bats placed up for my ex’s son) — this is one piece I wouldn’t object to
placing up. I’ve no real idea why I haven’t ever done so.
Goddess
I
found this piece of art at a garage sale years ago. I have this odd
thing where if something continually draws my attention (usually art)
then I end up buying it, if I can afford it. This was one of those
pieces. As soon as I saw it I felt a “connection” of sorts, and I wanted
it. I avoided it for a bit, walking around checking out the rest of the
merchandise. It made no sense for me to buy it, I never hung anything
on my walls anymore.
But,
like I always do, I bought it. It was cheap. Like $3 cheap, so why the
hell not? Did it ever go up on my wall? Nope. I still felt a deep
resonance with it, and I began associating unrealistic qualities with
the painting. I titled it “Goddess” and thought of her as my Guardian
Angel and Muse. I had a dream once about my supposed Guardian Angel and I
will perhaps talk about it sometime. Maybe I had this dream close to this
period of time? I can’t recall.
Either
way, I never hung it up (only partially due to not having a real
frame), and I never left it out to inspire any of my writing (which I
wasn’t doing at the time anyhow). I guess I figured a Guardian Angel
could do their work from the closet. They must be able to, because I’ve
had a few close calls.
This
weekend I was cleaning out my closet and trying to condense — purge; some changes are coming up that I need to have a bit more available
space for — some of my belongings, and I came across this piece again.
After so many years, I thought it was time to investigate its origins.
It is a print (I assume) and not an original; back is listed as 648. I
know close to nothing about art, though, beyond what I fancy and what I
don’t.
Frank Tauriello
 |
| Source: http://www.leonloard.com/ |
I
made the mistake of misreading the name as Taurielb (the L and O
blending close), which caused some initial frustrations. Once figuring
out the correct spelling of his last name, though, the frustration
didn’t end. I wasn’t able to find him or any pieces of his work. I tried
simple descriptions, and looked up multiple sites. I must be getting
bad at Google. Once locking down his full name I found only a handful of
sites with his art up, most of which being eBay.
I
did, however, find a few blog posts and forum threads about him. It
seems a handful of people were seeking out information about the artist
of works they had found; some describing the same print I have. From
here I found postings from Frank’s daughter giving information about the
passing of her father, and about a memorial site currently in the works.
His
work seems to have been distributed by Leon Loard Commissioned
Portraits (though, I saw someone listing another distributor: Donald Art
Industries/Company; again I know nothing about art!) and this is what
they had to say about the late F. Tauriello:
Although a New York native, Frank Tauriello is known as a noted California portraitist, where he resides and teaches. Born in Rochester, New York, he received a bachelor of Fine Arts degree Cum Laude from Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York. His graduate work spans four years at the Art Students League of New York under Frank J. Reilly. Tauriello spent the next twelve years in New York working in the areas of painting illustrations, murals, and restoration of paintings. Currently, he has put his full attention on portraiture work and the conservation of art.From 1963 to the present, Tauriello has been a private teacher, demonstrating instructor and juror for the California Art Association and the American Society of Portrait Artists. His portrait subjects vary widely, including children and families, state governors, jurists, business executives, and celebrities such as actor Clint Eastwood and television personality Merv Griffin. He has exhibited in numerous art shows around the country, and has won many local and national awards. Tauriello also holds membership in the Salmagundi Club of New York, National Cowboy Hall of Fame, and is Board Emeritus of The American Society of Portrait Artists.Strength, dignity, and realism all shine through in a Tauriello portrait. His straightforward yet sensitive style of painting emphasizes his expertise in achieving simplicity in design and composition, along showcasing his intense ability to recreate his subject's persona on canvas.
I
nice contrast from the obituary. He was a very talented artist (amazing
really, I love what I’ve seen so far and I can’t even accurately
describe the connection felt with the one piece I have in my possession)
and it’s a shame he has passed. Not because I would have ever sought
him out, but that his current art is now all that is left and he will no
longer be bringing new creations into the world.
Then
again, perhaps he will. By means of those he inspired through his years
of work and teaching, his legacy can essentially live on. I hope it
does. I’m sure it will. Not even necessarily in terms of painting(s).
“The
Goddess” inspires me in more of a spiritual way, but even that is an
extension of F. Tauriello’s art. I know his art has also connected and
inspired others, as well. So it isn’t even a matter of “hope” or
“certainty” of an eventual ripple effect. Just the fact that it has and already is living on.
I
should see about getting it properly framed, or at least hanging it up,
and see if that Muse factor can’t give me a little nudge.
Do
you happen to be familiar with Frank Tauriello and his art? Do you have
any favorite artists? What artists or pieces of art inspire you?
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