Francesco Lauretta

I had the honour of working closely with Italian artist, Francesco Lauretta, these past few months as I finished up my masters degree at SACI.  Francesco pushed me to do nothing less than my best, but also encouraged me to celebrate and to be proud of my own work when it was completed (something that's hard for me to do). I speak very little Italian and he speaks just a little English, but yet somehow we managed to find a common language in art.. And though he we often used google translate in our meetings, I think I learned more from this man in one semester about art than any other period in my life. He is a poet in his writing and in his paintings and when you spend time with him you find yourself falling into a love affair with art over and over again.  The last month that we worked together he painted this portrait of my daughter, Aria.  To see  more of his work go to http://www.francescolauretta.it/it/personali/ .

Palette

Yellow Ochre

Tantalizing. It needs nobody. But compliments all.

Alizarin Crimson

Luscious. Easily Overused. It’s beauty forgotten.

Lemon Yellow.

Confusing. Like Pee. Like the sun.

Naples Yellow

Boring. But so necessary.

Viridian Green

Exotic. Changes everything. Has a mind of its own.

Cadmium Yellow

Always reliable. Don’t get too close. It won’t leave.

Burnt Sienna

Kind and strong. Can’t live without. But easily cheated on.

Indian Red.

Potent. A little is enough. Easily smothers.

Titanium White

Stable. My constant companion. Has my bank account.

Lamp Black

Mysterious. Warned against. Nobody understands it.