Interview With Fine Artist Vincent Giarrano

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Interview With Fine Artist
Vincent Giarrano

NYC Series

Waiting for the Train
14 x 20
oil on board

City Girl
18 x 24
oil on board

Conversation
24 x 30

On the Couch
16x20
oil on canvas

Interview With Vincent Giarrano

TNYO: Hello Vincent it is such a pleasure to meet you.
I think you may have captured the idea of what cinematic art is all about in my opinion, in your paintings and I have to thank you for this. I am happy I have found you and have the opportunity to have this somewhat intimate conversation with you about your art and your life.
Where are you from Vincent?

Vincent Giarrano: I grew up in Buffalo, NY.

TNYO: And where are you located now
Has the difference from where you came from to where you are now have anything to do with the paintings you are making? What are the current paintings you are working on and how have these works developed from previous work?

Vincent Giarrano: I live in Connecticut, a couple hours north of New York City. I had lived in the city for a bunch of years after I finished graduate school.
I think Buffalo is where I developed a taste for the gritty side of a city.
I love the character of the seedy parts of New York City.

My new work is largely about capturing the feeling of real life in the city. There’s an amazing edge and intensity there, and I find it endlessly inspiring.
One of my favorite things is to paint in series. I have main concepts that flow through all my work, but then I have different subjects and ideas that make work into separate series. I find working this way keeps me inspired, and always discovering new creative ground.

TNYO: Man I am from NY and have a love affair with this town and as I look deeper into your work it brings me right in, into the place I travelled to If I had to, the place that played on my thoughts. It looks like your work revolves around Soho and Tribeca, 2 of my favorite stomping grounds for years. It’s no wonder I was gravitated to your paintings. Is it possible you have the same love for these glorious and sometimes mean streets as I do.

Vincent Giarrano: I hear from many people that they know the places I’ve painted. I also get people saying that now when they’re in the city they see it differently because of my work. A lot of what I do is about appreciating the beauty I see in contemporary life, so I like to hear I’m affecting their perceptions.

TNYO: Your obviously a trained academic painter, can you tell me about your training your schooling and what your opinion is on the many different types art that have been in play for so many years. Realism, Conceptualism, Abstract, Illustration, etc.. and why you choose to work in a more realistic approach.

Vincent Giarrano: I was in college for fine art, but at the time I was just doing sculpture. I got my BFA at the University at Buffalo, and my MFA at Syracuse University.

Like most large schools they lean toward developing you conceptually more than technically. For painting I’m actually self taught. I knew what I wanted to achieve, so I really went after learning that in a big way. Writing was a huge part of that transition, and is something I still use in creating my work.

I appreciate a great variety of art, but it’s like different worlds. Some people think of art as one thing, but it’s very separate genres with separate aesthetics. I mostly love what’s been going with realism. It’s come back in such a great way. So nice to see art that involves skill again. I feel like I’m in the right place at the right time.

TNYO: Purple Doorway can you tell me about this painting it is one of my favorites.

Vincent Giarrano: I’m glad you like this painting. It’s one of my personal favorites. What I like best is that it really captures a sincere moment of contemporary life. I also am very happy with capturing the harmony of light in the scene. For me that’s the key thing about creating a realistic impression. The model is a good friend of mine that has been in many of my paintings. There’s something about her that alway makes my painting work out really well.

TNYO: Whats Your Favorite color, flower, meal, and most importantly song as I will post it as we do for all or fabulous artists ;-)

Vincent Giarrano: I love blue, so that’s an easy one. I don’t have a favorite flower. Sushi is probably my favorite meal. For song, I’ll go with New Values by Iggy Pop.