Loredana Messina

While over the years I have concentrated on commission work, lately I have resolved to make myself more visible in the art world.  Recently  I  was invited to participate, and then became a commission selected finalist,  in the 2013 International Art Competition organized by the Taiwan International Contemporary Arts Association.  My two commission selected works can be viewed by following this link:   http://www.arts.org.tw/2013/eng/result.html  

Manifestly, the selected works, known as “Sutera: Rabato Antico” and “Villaggio Antico” are also published on this site.  Simply scroll down my profile page to see the works.  The originals of the two works will be on show from 3rd to 6th May 2013 at the Taipei A.R.T Revolution show held at the Taipei World Trade Centre.

My name is Loredana Messina, I am an Italian living in England.  I paint principally  in oils in my studio in London. I started painting at the age of 12 after being encouraged to do so by my art teacher who had faith in my artistic abilities.  Apart from art lessons at school,  I have never had any other lessons in art,  design or whatever.  I remember being fascinated by everything creative and after my schoolwork I would draw and paint everything  I saw, so much so that my father bought me my first easel and oil colours.  I still have my first tube of oil  which  I guard jealously to remind me of my passion and my father

I remember my first oil painting, it is in my mother’s house in Italy, a house and a tree overlooking an expanse of sea; so simple and elementary, that touches me to this day!  Years ago, art was not considered “a proper job” and so, being realistic, I continued with my formal studies. I went to the liceo classico, what in England would be a grammar school, and then I went  to Palermo University to study law. After my wedding in 1987 I joined my husband in London and started to teach Italian.  Today, between the demands of work and family I always find time to dedicate to my passion: painting.

Principally, I am inspired by the land of my birth, by nature and by scenes of everyday life that I love to reproduce with particular attention to detail.  Often in my work you can see an ordered reality in its ambience purely to evidence a contrast with daily life that is certainly far more frenetic.  Having been born in a coastal city, the sea features in many of my artworks.  From a technical viewpoint, my touch is very linear amidst strongly contrasting colours.  The technique used is that of the relief, especially when treating architectural elements.  In my paintings, I certainly do not dwell on perspectives, proportions etc... etc...., but within me there is a quest for expressiveness as a way to manifest interior feelings and emotions.

I paint with my heart and I hope that you can appreciate my art purely because it brings out in you a feeling, an emotion, which touches your soul.