Artist Ron Di Scenza has a fitting last name. In Italian, conoscenza means knowledge or awareness, and a knowing sense of familiarity comes through Di Scenza's canvases, giving his images special meaning and significance.
Di Scenza's deep understanding of human nature is expressed in the faces and body language of his figures, much like Spanish painter Diego Velasquez. Especially exciting, Di Scenza's detailed realism is on par with Flemish painter Johannes Vermeer's, while the soulfulness of his subjects brings to mind Italian artist Michelangelo Caravaggio.
Carrying on these powerful painting traditions in the 21st century is Di Scenza's way of connecting the classics that shaped him at an early age with today's modern, fast paced world. He is intrigued by the universal traits of humanity that span the centuries and that are always relevant.
"When I paint, I try to continue the great painting methods that came before me," explains Di Scenza. "At the same time, I seek to create the immediacy of the here and now through the unique spirit of the person I'm painting. From a larger perspective, I think people of today need something to believe in, to recognize. They respect skill and want quality."
Born in 1954 in Ohio, Di Scenza's mother took him to Rome where Michelangelo Buonarroti's painting in the Sistine Chapel convinced him, then and there, to become a painter. He recalls many idyllic summers spent in Italy surrounded by his sister, cousins and a vibrant natural landscape. Back home in America, he moved with his family to Long Island in 1970 and soon Di Scenza became exposed to the exciting art scene of New York City.
His formal training includes the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, where he was awarded a scolarship and earned his Bachelor's of Fine Arts degree. After graduating, Di Scenza became the school's yougest instructor at the age twenty while he simultaneosly embarked on a carrer in illustration that would last twenty years. A 1978 poster commission by Italian neorealist film director Ermanno Olmi gave Di Scenza his big break. For inspiration, the director, whom the young artist did not recognize at first, gave Di Scenza a private showing of his masterpiece, The Tree of the Wooden Clogs, in a New York theater he had closed to the public for an afternoon. Di Scenza's brilliant interpretation of the film, which was that year's Cannes Film Festival grand prize winner, became a wildly popular poster shown all over New York City and seen by everyone.
Soon Di Scenza was enjoying a bohemian lifestyle in a Chelsea loft and thriving on New York's energy. For many years following, the city fueled his commercial work as an illustrator. Di Scenza's real calling didn't come until 1995. That year and at the age of 41 he and his family vacationed at his parents hometown in Italy, the place of his original inspiration. One day he looked out at the breathtaking scenery and into the expressive faces of his Italian neighbors and realized he always wanted to be a fine artist, particulary an oil painter. "I had no doubt. I knew I had found my destiny and I decided to stay" recalls Di Scenza.
"The golden light and warm colors of Italy cannot be found anywhere else in the world," he continues. "The country is a natural palette of sienna, umber, ochre and warm greens and blues. From the earth to the skin tones of its people, from the old stone buildings to the air itself in Italy is bathed in a warm glow."
Today Di Scenza lives with his wife Maria, whom he met in Italy and their young son in the Italian region of Molise. He works in his studio twelve hours a day. His process begins with preliminaty drawing which is then transferred to the canvas. As he paints, he works "from dark to light." Once Di Scenza established his monochromatic design, he adds color.
"Some of my color is opaque; some is comprised of several layers of glazes," he asserts. "Light bounces off the glazes, adding life and luminescence." Di Scenza often often works from models and his own photographs. He positions his figures then uses his imagination while painting the landscape in the background. His skies and buildings are done in great detail from memory, a skill he developed as a young boy.
Di Scenza's work is bold and precise and he uses a canvas with an ultra-fine grain to produce extremely smooth surface. Dramatic lighting is a key attribute of his works. "One of my early influence, Rembrandt, used candles for his moody images and Vermeer often painted woman seated in a dark room next to a bright window. You can't go wrong with a window," he laughs.
"I work on expressing sensibility in my subjects, creating the sensation that you get when you meet someone for the first time, but feel you've known for years," Di Scenza concludes. "I'm trying to connect to that idea. Create a familiar spirit. Whether young or old, woman, men or children, I am attracted to the unique beauty of individuals faces. I'm excited about featuring my son in several themed paintings, now that he's old enough." Overflowing with the ideas, the artist also plans to incorporate the historical sites of Italy into his upcoming compositions.
Di Scenza's impressive portfolio as an illustrator includes works for Ballantine Books, Bantam Books, Doubleday, RCA Records, Field & Stream, Sports Illustrated, Time Magazine and actor Peter Sellers, for whom he created a book cover. Di Scenza also designed jewelry and objects of art for Tiffany & Co. Other clients include Sony, IBM and Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.
