3 minute read
LOST IN HER ART
An interview with artist Gina Lijoi
by Sandi Solomonson
Busy at her desk, Gina is juggling incoming calls, agent questions, and daily emails. With 15 years experience as the Regional Office Manager for Chase International, she’s accustomed to managing multiple projects at once. She glides through her busy day like an artist weilding a fine brush stroke. In fact, Gina is a gifted painter and in this edition, we are honored to showcase her talents.
Growing up in West Virginia and spending warm summers in Sant’ Andrea Italy, Gina recalls having a childhood love of art with her favorite pre-school pastime was drawing and painting. Her affection for art continued with securing a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from East Tennessee State University.
After pursuing a career in graphic arts for years and painting with acrylics and oils, she discovered watercolor. “As a young mother,” she says, “I remember putting my 2 small children to bed, then staying up to 2:00 am, lost in my art.”
From early on, she was drawn to sunlight and shadows which have, in fact, become her signature style. “Shadows, especially elongated shadows, are my strength as they reflect every color in the sky. I enjoy painting whatever is casting the shadow, yet isn’t visible.” You can see this represented in a painting where bottles of Chianti wine are highlighted by the shadow of an unseen iron railing. It’s simply extraordinary.
Being the recipient of more awards and ribbons than you can count, Gina’s entries have been accepted in local, national, and international art shows; a true honor. She is a member of multiple societies including the San Diego Watercolor Society, and the Nevada Museum of Art, where she has inspired artists through demonstrations and workshops.
Each painting takes weeks of meticulous, detailed artistry. She starts with a photo, either her own or one provided for a commissioned piece, then delicately sketches the composition before pain-stakingly bringing life and color to the canvas. A whisk of paint here, a tender brush stroke there, layer by layer bringing forth a palette of life captured in a fleeting moment. Once completed, maybe it will hang in a gallery, define a corporate office, or instantly become a cherished family heirloom. “The hardest thing for me is to know when to stop and when to sign my name on a piece,” says Gina-spoken like a true perfectionist.
Always one to embrace her artistic license, Gina painted a bicycle that was “just always at my Uncle’s property in Italy,” she recalled. Yet, the painting needed more. So, I added some chickens from my hairdressers property in Reno. It became a true international combination of Reno chickens and an Italian bicycle.” In fact, upon viewing her beautiful website, I was awe-struck by her ability to transform everyday scenes or objects into timeless masterpieces, or “copolavori” as this petite Italian would say.
So, what does the future hold for Gina and her art? With deep Italian roots, she is currently securing her dual American/Italian citizenship and is excited to spend more time at her studio in Southern Italy. As with all her travels, she is inspired by a spinning color wheel of life. Additionally, she wants to combine her love of golf and the outdoors with her artwork; in particular, painting famous golf clubhouses. As a 20+ year veteran of the sport, she is eager to diversify her art portfolio, all while traveling to play famous courses worldwide. Now, there’s a “brush” stroke of genius.
You can commission a painting or invest in one of her diverse pieces by visiting her website at artistGina.com, where you can message her directly.
