Featured Artist of the Month : Mary Chiaramonte Jun. 2012 | TheArtList - Art & Photo Calls for Visual Artists and Photographers.

Mary Chiaramonte

Richmond, Virgina

At three. I was having my portrait drawn by a family friend on one of those humid drippy summer nights on their front porch in West Virginia. I sat as still as can be, I was so amazed at what she was doing, that I knew I was staring right at my future. I went home and drew.

How and when did you start creating art?

Figurative, realism, narrative. acrylic on birch panel.

What media and genres do you work in?

The Romanticism era, Arts + crafts Movement, All manner of Folklore, music.

Who or what are your influences?

Oh, this is a story of what time can do to us. There is this abandoned house, last inhabited in the ‘80s, behind our house in the woods that I like to visit + envision different scenarios about the family that was once there. Where do we go, why do families need to part? Questions of this nature.

Describe your creative process?

Concepts first, then I arrange scenes with my models, dress them up, photograph them. I work from lots of my photos + combine the best elements for the painting. After sketched out, under shadows, the darkest parts are laid out in paint, and the overtones follow with many layers, lots of layering. At times, the painting’s narrative will change during work, and the painting is nothing like what I originally intended. It unfolds more in the exploration, or discoveries that are revealed while working.

What are you working on currently?

Ideas. I have finished the last piece just yesterday, so it is time to march off to the idea room, do some sketching. While I’m not doing this, I work on the business end of things until the next painting comes.

What are your near/long term goals as an artist?

For today, I would like to broaden my gallery representation. I am really just getting started working full time again. For later, whatever I do, I just want to continue to explore technique + narrative.