- Gianfranco (John) Gambardella
Gianfranco (John) Gambardella engulfs himself in the historical connection between architecture, culture, and art. Gambardella's focus on picturesque scenery and architecture from Italy shows his undying love for his home country. He seamlessly blends romanticism with unflinching realism, perfectly encapsulating the distinctive quality of historical landmarks. He skillfully employs warm colors, focused angled lighting, shading, and diligent brushes to add detail and dimensionality into each piece. These aspects of his style and keen attention to detail essentially transport the observers to these stimulating locales that form his paintings. Gambardella's strategic use of perspective lends insight into a worldview where all places fit into a more significant global collective.
“The six paintings I have selected were part of a solo series of works titled 'The Italian Connection' –. I exhibited in association with the Annual Melbourne Italian Festival, Australia. The
paintings depict architectural segments of historical structures in some of the major cities of Italy. The exhibition allowed the viewer to absorb the architectural influence and impact of these old historic structures, which have stood the test of time and remain a testament to those that created them. They are surely a beauty to behold, hopefully revolutionizing every feeling of the viewer. The creative process consisted of applying a mixed medium technique, firstly sketched much like a pencil drawing, but using a liquid pencil (not unlike watercolor application).
Then assisted by airbrushing and creating vignettes and tonal effects. The final application was to use acrylic color, adding black ink lineage and layers of gloss varnish to enhance the artworks, thus giving them an almost aging photographic look.”