Interview: DAVID TUMINELLO

I saw some very interesting art on the web last week. David Tuminello has a website LeftyArt.com but he also sells work at his Ebay store. I recently interveiwed David and the interview appears below:

How did you get into art? “I’ve been drawing ever since I was 2 years old. It was something that was very natural for me. When I was 9 my mother would take me to the University of Arizona to attend art appreciation classes with her. I came to admire the artists of the renaissance and the expressionists of the turn of the century.”

Do you remember the first art works you did that you felt satisfied you? “I remember creating a city scape in the 2nd grade with mixed media. The buildings in the scene were cut up pieces of newspaper and the sky was painted with watercolors. The cars and people in the streets were painted with acrylic. I created this piece during my art class and received a lot of praise from classmates.”

Do you have an area of specialization? “I feel my specialty is creativity. I like to put together a piece that hasn’t been seen before. I want someone to be in deep thought and question the meaning of my work. I want it to be thought provoking. I’ve always found still life and landscapes boring. My creativity compensates for my lack of technique.”

What kinds of subject matter do you prefer? “I prefer creating subject matter that reflects on my Italian heritage. I feel I have a chance to represent the culture a little. Some Italians have expressed that they don’t like the fact I’m creating a whimsical view of the mafia.”

What will be your next project? “My next project is a Mafia piece. This one is a little different from the other seven works that I have created in that the characters and setting is going to be impressionistic rather than my usual pop art. This is a scene from Godfather 2 where Vito and his mother are speaking with Don Ciccio. His mother is pleading for the life of Vito because Don Ciccio has just killed her husband and her other son Paulo. It will be my first mafia piece showing the mafia in the old country and also a scene from Godfather 2 that many will recognize. It will be full of brilliant vibrant colors because the scene has beautiful flowers in Don Ciccio’s garden and the backdrop is his opulent mansion.”

Do you ever use exotic materials or techniques? “Nothing that I am willing to disclose. Trade secrets.”

What kind of tools/light/studio do you prefer? “I like to paint using an easel for my canvas. I apply paint with a number of filbert brushes. I prefer soft light when I’m painting to cut down on the refection of wet paint on the canvas. My studio is in my house. I prefer painting there because I can turn up my music lock the door and not be disturbed for hours.”

What are your sources of inspiration? “My main source of inspiration is listening to my favorite music. A lot of my art I create is based on the subject matter of my favorite musician’s lyrics. A PERFECT CIRCLE and TOOL are probably the most influential.”

What artists do you admire? “Alex Grey’s work is truly amazing. Adam Jones is a genius. I’ve always loved Picasso’s work. My mother has recently turned me on to Klimpt. I remember seeing some of his work as a child but never really looked at the body of it until recently. Incredible artist.”

What was the toughest project/commisssion you’ve encountered? “I had to create a scene that involved 40 characters. 2 of which were portraits and that is definitely not my specialty. That piece took me several months to complete.”

What are your interests and dislikes in art? “My interest in art is to see an artist that really breaks ground. To put something out there and without regard to their reputation. Maybe offend the majority but a few appreciate the calculated risk. I like when someone creates something that is more than coordinated color theory and orthodox techniques. I like the risk takers. My dislike is southwestern art. To get in the galleries hear in Scottsdale this is what they are looking for. The artist’s abilities are quite admirable most of the time but I hate the subject matter.”

Thankyou David for the information, and the great figurative style. I really like the Mafia series.

Daniel Ferris