Vanessa Tignanelli: May 2010

5.28.2010

Leonardo's Muse

2008
Acrylic on wood panel
Self-portrait
Inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's "Le Donne" series

Poppies

2008
Oil on board
Still-life Reproduction

5.20.2010

The Hands of My Father

For my Dad, to remind him of his Dad
Acrylic on canvas
2008

Noah

Portrait of coworker's son, designed for Miami Ink to use for tattoo
Graphite on paper
2008

Landscape Photography II (Lake Nipissing Series)

5.17.2010

Cugini

A wedding present for my cousins
Graphite on paper
2008

Martini Series

Glass and acrylic paint Pen and blue ink

Charcoal, graphite and tea bag

Oil pastels Acrylic paint

2005

Anniversary

My Mom and Dad's Wedding photograph in the style of Monet's Impression, Sunrise
Acrylic on paper
2006

All About Me (Self Portrait)

Chalk pastel and photo

2007

- Self portrait

- Blown-up photo of my Nana replace portions of my own face

- Vanessa in Greek is "Butterfly"

- Music is a huge part of my life

5.15.2010

In 2006, I did a project for my grade 11 art class all extending from my idea of "Tainted World". On a rather depressing note, I addressed major issues within society that I wanted to approach in my work. The following experiments were a large step in further understanding the making of political artwork.

True Colours

Acrylic on canvas

2006

-- I created this work as a cry for help. In today's society foster care, abandonment, single parenting, divorce and child abuse are on a rise and are harmful to young children. Growing up in these environments has the potential to damage a child's confidence and sense of self. This work is entitled "True Colours" to represent their inabilities to know who they are completely and their struggle to let it show.

On or In a Corner?

Marker and water on paper

2006

-- Naivety and innocence is of less value than it was in the past. In movies, music and all media, we are faced with an unrealistic idea of sexuality, love and intimacy. This work not only addresses this system, but also the sad reality of women feeling like the last resort is to sell their bodies. The title makes it clear that their situation is two-fold, yet there is no excuse for the existence of this profession.

Lest They Forget

Oil on canvas

2006

-- The USA's war in Iraq struck much conversation and conflict. My reaction is embedded in this painting. These three soldiers, each of different race and fighting for different sides, are portrayed here standing together with their arms around each other. It is my belief that war is perhaps the number one most unnecessary invention derived out of human greed. Good men died, and for what exactly? Any problems we have, we must deal with in a way that does not require such suffering. These three soldiers prove that we can rise out from the darkness with our arms around each other in civilized agreement rather than animalism.

People

Acrylic, oil and magazine on canvas

2006

-- This work was to show the limelight that celebrities receive, the fame and fortune they gain from smiling on the red carpet, while people go starving on the street. While they are lit by the flashing cameras, the homeless boy sits beneath a lamppost which shines light on his inability to be successful and his limitations. I did this work in reaction to celebrities acting as spokespersons for organizations, asking people to donate to charities, while they live more than comfortably.

Rated 'R' for Reality

Oil on canvas

2006

-- In response to the Columbine shootings and other such disasters in the modern world, many experts blame violent video games and children's inability to set apart games verses reality. I contemplated the idea of how such games desensitize obsessive 'gamers', and provided this interpretation of the idea in this painting. The figures are all cartoon and graphic to emphasize.

Tainted World

Acrylic on canvas

2006

I soon realized that my passion for painting people was much deeper than the mere shades of their face, the wrinkles on their neck, but the meaning behind their eyes, smiles or frowns. My first big leap into the world of art was realizing that I wanted my work to MEAN something, to get people to not just look, but to see what I was trying to tell them. To make them think. This is a difficult task, and you will see the struggle of a developing artist spread across these years of experimenting.