A Moment with Daniela Pasqualini
Tell us a little bit about how you went from Italy to Texas.
I was born in Rome, Italy and I lived my youth in Petritoli, a little town on the Adriatic coast. After completing my degree in Business administration, work and life circumstances brought me to the Tuscany region of Italy, specifically Florence and this represented an important turning point in my creative spirit and outlook on life. The constant connection with the historical and cultural context of the city of Florence and the many opportunities provided by the sites have been artistic stimulus in my passion for painting.
In 2013 I was offered a unique challenge to leave the only country I ever knew and lived to move with my family to Boston, MA USA. In New England the many colors, different types of landscapes, and many different cultures have provided me a surreal environment as a backdrop to really launch my true passion. And 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.
They say that if you do what you truly love, then you will never have to work another day of your life. That describes my situation
Do you feel your transition from living in Italy to living in the US has shaped who you are as a creative?
Definitely Yes. 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 and being here in Texas has provided me a surreal environment where I can express myself in ways that I didn’t know was possible.
Describe your style in 3 words.
Modern, Minimal, Neo Impressionist.
In what ways do you think your work has developed and refined over the last few years?
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. 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. In the last few years my desire to consistently push the boundaries of my creative spirit has led me to explore the abstract in my search for producing what I feel expresses my true nature as an artist.
As I continue to grow in my understanding for what art means to me and as my life experiences with family, love, loss, and joy shape the outlook on life, I am certain that my creative expressions will reflect this.
Tell us a little bit about your experience exhibiting at The Vatican!
On February 2016 I got selected and invited to show my artwork in two places in the Vatican during the Jubilee of the Misericordia : Palazzo della Cancelleria, Sale della Santa Sede and Vicariato , Palazzo Maffei Marescotti. Having family within 1 mile of the Vatican and always visiting as a grew up it was a surreal experience to then have my art displayed in such an iconic place in the entire world. It is something that I will always cherish as an experience and I think has helped further establish my credentials as an emerging artist with plenty to give.
The event as I said was in the locations mentioned but words can’t truly describe the breathtaking location in the heart of Rome for what was an amazing event. The event was broadcasted on tv in Italy by Arte24. As part of the process I also had the opportunity to have my work reviewed by the Art critic and journalist Mara Ferloni. The show closed at the end of March and the painting created for the exhibition has been purchased by an Italian couple.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to break into the Abstract art world, but doesn’t know where to start?
Perseverance! Do not Give up and be Authentic with your practice!
We learn from our failures, more than from success. It is the Yin and Yang of art. It takes time, discipline and courage. I learn that Success is not cheap and failure is not the end of the world.
Some other advices I can give who wants to break into the Art World are:
Have a good portfolio shots with great light; write a good artist statement, do not procrastinate to send applications, do not ignore deadlines, make sure your hard work get seen using also social media, during gallery shows approach visitors, do not underprice or overprice your work, be involved in your local community, take art or business education class.
Since i started this adventure i understood that you must be able to access a wide range of skills in order to run your art career to succeed. Honestly, my Finance education heavily influenced and helped my art career:
Keeping good financial records throughout the year tracking business expenses and income; being smart about marketing myself in the right way trying to expose my work to new audiences, creating a wide networking, building an artist support system; being able to navigate web design, prioritizing my expenses, equalizing my production and sales efforts, managing my time.
I am a to-do list addicted always trying to approach problems and challenges systematically. I plan before i invest money and i don' t leave things to chance.
I think is really important to UNDERSTAND your financial picture, to have KNOWLEDGE about your business. The more you know the less you fear. In the end BE BOLD and believe in yourself. Trust the process.
