L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2014 www.italoamericano.com 6 In the Art of Laguna: Artist Giorgio Dimichina In its heyday, Laguna Beach, a seaside city in Orange County, was il centro of a rich and flour- ishing artist colony. All along the Pacific Coast, "en plair air" (in open air) artists were seen with their brushes and easels, depicting Laguna's coastline of coves, beaches and picturesque landscapes. Much has changed since those days. Real estate prices have skyrocketed, forcing many artists to move elsewhere, and while shows such as MTV's Laguna Beach and the resort, the Montage, have ushered in a new era, there are still remnants of its artistic past and its vast physical beauty. Eye popping pink, red, and orange bougainvilleas can be seen along PCH, the water at the Crystal Cove Beach is just as turquoise, and The Pageant of the Masters comes every sum- mer. Art and Laguna Beach have always gone hand in hand; and although its artistic splendor may have dimmed somewhat in the past, a new and invigorated energy has recently emerged within its community. The Artist has come back and one such artist is Giorgio Dimichina. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Giorgio fell in love with art when he was just a little boy. His mother was Argentine, his father an Italian while Giorgio's paternal relatives hail from Loseto near Bari. "Italian families have showed us we're a strong community of people…A lot of them not knowing the lan- guage like my parents made a life not only for themselves, but also for those in the communi- ty." Unlike the tortured pasts of so many artists, Giorgio's child- hood was blissful as his family moved into their grandmother's estate, and he was as he puts it, "smothered with love." It was there that he developed his artis- tic talents while his aunt whom he fondly remembers, encour- aged him to pursue art. "To have an adult stop and take an interest in what you're thinking and feel- ing, that stayed with me till his day," he explains during an interview at the Artist Eye Gallery, one of the city's largest galleries, just a few yards from the iconic statue, the Greeter. Eventually the Dimichina family moved from Argentina to the states. Despite not speaking English, his parents, like many immigrants, worked hard to give their two children the opportuni- ties that America had to offer. "I understood it was a place of privilege." While Giorgio con- tinued to practice his art, he began to work in the computer industry, and it was there where he met the love of his life, Susan. She, just like his aunt, encouraged him, to return to his artistic roots. He did. "I didn't want to be good, nor just great. I wanted to be at a level of being a master." Self taught, Giorgio found a job at an art studio where he ended up drawing illustrations for major corpora- tions such as Mazda and Pepsi. "Opportunities and doors opened. It was a matter of it being the right time, but also coming from a place of gratitude and not [from a place of] want." With his career flourishing, Giorgio continued to paint, tak- ing a particular interest in the rich landscapes of Italy. In love with its culture, history and "mystique," Giorgio also felt a special connection to Italy, the home of his father. "On my first trip there, I was sitting on a ter- race in Sorrento, and the music playing was the same type of Napolitana music that my father used to play—all of a sudden, it hit me. This is where my father is from." While so many of today's paintings are often so modern, they are beyond comprehension or some so grim and bleak, they are just reminders of today's harsh reality, it is lovely to find an artist that depicts a world of joy; with colors that are vibrant, details made with such precise care, and where nature is beau- tiful, not just cruel. "I'm blessed to be working as an artist for a living…where people purchase and take my paintings to their most private place, which is their home. To have it there, to give them a sense of joy and peace...it's a gift and a bless- ing." For over thirty years, Giorgio continues to work out of the same studio. There, amidst paint tubes, titanium primed canvases, and ceramic vessels that holds his beloved brushes, he plays soft music while using special lighting that gives him the "true value of color." His tools of choice are "Golden Brand' and "Liquitext" acrylic paints, his preferred medium as it helps go from light to dark and can be layered. On top of his easel, he has taped a quota- tion, "One inspired idea from God can change my life." "This studio is where my dreams have come true. Held within my studio walls is much more than paints and brushes," he explains with a smile that is as full of life and joy as his paintings. "There is the promise of hope and the belief that all things are possible with God." On August 16 th , from 6-9 pm, Giorgio will be showcasing a new series of paintings that were inspired by Italy's Carnevale di Venezia. 10% of the proceeds in the month of August will go to the charity, Art and Creativity for Healing. 1294 South Coast Hwy Suite A Laguna Beach CA 92651. Please call 949-497-5898 for more information. For more about Giorgio Dimichina, please go to www.artbygiorgio.com GAyA lyNN Giorgio Dimichina at the Artist Eye's Gallery in Laguna Beach Aug. 15 Fri.- FERRAGOSTO - Bocce Ball Tournament and Italian Buffet – at Marbella Country Club (30800 Golf Club Drive, San Juan Capistrano). The event celebrates the most popular Italian summer holiday blending friendly competition with good food and wine. The evening will begin with a bocce ball tournament from 5:00pm - 8:00pm on Marbella Country Club's pristine croquet lawn located right below the Valencia Terrace. Prizes will be awarded! Participants will enjoy an Italian al fresco buffet. Wine tasting will feature Centanni and Rio Maggio wines. Tickets are $30 per person including tax & tip. Tickets can be purchased and bocce ball sign ups can be made online at: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/fer- ragosto-bocce-ball-tournament-and-italian-al-fresco-buffet-evening-tickets- 12320439767 For more information call (949) 248- 3700. Now through Aug. 17 - My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish and I'm in Therapy - Huntington Beach Library Playhouse -One of the longest running one man shows in Broadway history. Steve Solomon's 80 minute smash hit comedy is inspired by his hilarious & dysfunctional family & all the people in his life whose sole purpose is to drive him into therapy.... and they succeeded! 7111 Talbert Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 Box Office 855-448-7469 (Individual Tickets) Group Tickets 888-264-1788 - discount for groups of 12 or more. Show Times: Wed. 2pm & 7pm, Thu. 7pm, Fri. 8pm, Sat. 2pm & 8pm, Sun. 2pm CALL MARLA AT 1-888-264-1788 or email mwallach1@comcast.net for more information or to book seats. Aug. 17. Sun.- Cinema Italiano Bowers Museum 1:30pm reception/2:00pm screening Benvenuto Presidente - Welcome Mr. President Italy (100 min) Italian with English subtitles. For more info go to www.bowers.org Aug. 24, Sun.-Families of Italian Lineage Ferragosto Picnic at Arroyo Vista Park in Rancho Santa Margarita. 11am to 7pm. Bocce courts, swimming pool, jungle gym (for children), volley ball courts. Catered by Newport Rib Company. $20 (members), $10 (3-10 years of age). Tel. (949) 363-5348. Aug. 27- West Coast Film Festival Italian screening - 7:00pm Tribute to Martin Scorsese with the award winning documentary about the renown director plus an 8:00pm screening of GOODFELLAS at the San Juan Capistrano Regency Theater. The documentary takes a unique look at the roots of Scorsese's life and his development in New York City, and relation- ship with his parents and Italian heritage. A film segment of his "first work" at NYU Film School, It's Not Just You, gives you insight that it's Goodfellas in its earliest development. The up close look gives the audience an appre- ciation to his passionate approach and devotion to film and why he ranks amongst the greatest film directors with credits ranging from Mean Streets, The Raging Bull, Goodfellas, to The Departed. Robert Kline, the director of First Works and accomplished filmmaker, will present the Martin Scorsese Tribute. 7:00 pm Martin Scorsese-First Works (30 mins.) 8:00pm GoodFellas R (2 hours 25 mins.) Tickets are $20.00 Pre-sale $25.00 Day of (At 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, August 28, the ticket price will change to $25.00) For more information call 949.489.7771. Tickets will be available online soon. Aug. 29-31, Fri.-Sun.-Orange International Street Fair. Visit the Italian booth sponsored by OSIA Renaissance Lodge and Foundation. For informa- tion on hours, event location and parking, call Orange County Street Fair at (714) 633-4816.

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