Morning Reverie
36 x 24 in.
Oil
Painting and drawing from live models in college is where her passion for figurative painting emerged. While attending Otis/Parsons School of Design in Los Angeles Carla D’aguanno discovered the art of illustration, which led to the start of her career in the movie poster industry and book cover industry. However, her interest in fine art fifteen years later would lead to a permanent detour in the direction of her career. Today, she feels her maturity as an artist has come full circle. She perceives the gift that she’s been given as a continual work in progress that keeps growing and evolving with each work of art on her easel.
Two of her favorite most outstanding artists of influence are John Singer Sargent and Mary Cassatt. The intensity and depth of Sargent’s portraits and figures have been a great source of inspiration to her. What she admires most about the works of Mary Cassatt is her portrayal of the endearing bond between mothers and their children. Carla believes her enthusiasm for painting children may have come to fruition with the birth of her two children. They quickly became her models and still model for her today. There is much for the eye to behold when capturing the beauty and innocence of a child. They possess an inquisitive nature and their interaction with animals is what she finds intriguing. The bond between children and horses is among her favorite subjects to study since the outcome is always spontaneous and unpredictable. Women, children and horses are at the top of her list of priority subjects of interest to paint.
“There’s something beyond compelling about the anatomy of the human figure, and when exposed to a single light source, it’s always s challenge to convey the most interesting perspective that creates a perfect harmony of light, shadow and composition,” she claims. The unique characteristics and curvature of the human figure draws the viewer in for a closer look invoking a range of emotions while revealing a story,” she believes. It is vital for her to have familiarity with the personality of her models, since it enables her to unveil the true essence of their character on canvas. It’s her belief that there is gold hidden in every soul and she has made it her mission to reveal it in each individual.
Carla’s love for horses and western genre is also apparent in her work. She finds the sight and sound of running horses to be one of the most breathtaking sights to behold. Their majestic beauty, size and grace makes them one of the most impressive and magnificent creatures on earth in her opinion. It’s no wonder she loves being in their presence and photographing them continually. Her intentions as an artist are to emphasize the simple beauty of life that comes from our Creator, and in so doing she is hopeful that her art will put a smile on the faces of those who see it.
Carla is represented by Concetta D. Gallery in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
See more of Carla’s work on her website and contact her at [email protected] or (508) 463-5465.
