The Feelings Behind Art

It’s not often artists get to participate in a community painting and learn about the philosophy of art, but on Friday at the March meeting artists were able to do just that. With swirls and strokes of acrylic paint, they created an abstract painting. 

Robert Cariola, the guest artist at the March meeting at also delved into his feelings about creating art. 

As about 40 people observed from the audience, Cariola first demonstrated a pastel on craft paper that had three faces in a semi-abstract theme. He was playing with space and had the lines give him direction as he created spontaneous energy. 

“I’m creating an emotional sensation with this pastel,” Cariola remarked.  “Colors have emotional analogies such as red for blood and yellow for happiness.  Ask yourself, ‘What is the mood for my drawing or painting?’"

Next, Cariola brought out a piece of sheetrock, much to the surprise of the artists since that is not a typical medium to paint on.  Yet Cariola proceeded to add black lines in acrylic with a large brush to create rhythm in the composition. 

“I’m looking for an appealing design movement and then I’ll add color," he said.  “The material is dead, but I’m breathing new life into it.” 

After working on the painting for a while, Cariola invited a number of artists to come up and add their contributions to the community painting.  Linda Murad, Lisa Fazio, Gus Rodriguez, Chris Klein, Eddie Harkins, Tim Savage and Adeline Jahelka added colors, still keeping the look abstract and true to what Cariola envisioned.

Cariola stated that when starting a piece of art there are three things an artist has to do: “Go in with your emotion.  Start analyzing, organizing and think about the intellectual.  Use your technical abilities to refine and purify the artwork.  When all parts of the painting [drawing, etc.] coalesce, you have beautiful harmony and balance.  That’s when there’s a stratosphere [of feeling].  On the way you have frustrations, but it goes beyond the human…Do the type of art that appeals to you.”

Don Maguire, an artist from New Hyde Park, said of this experience, “I’m an impressionistic artist.  I don’t respond to abstract art, but I found Cariola to be very genuine and personable.  He invited people up to contribute and express themselves.” 

Chris Klein, an ALNC board member, won the raffle of the evening, which was a print from Cariola. 

“He’s unbelievable with composition," Klein exclaimed.  "It was intense as we were painting up there.  In the end I joined the painting together with thalo blue.  You could feel Cariola’s depth of feeling as he talked about art.  He has a strong understanding of art history and art theory.  I think it helped everyone understand their own art.  When I get into my art, hours pass.  When I’m on that plane [in art] it’s similar to a runner’s high.”

Cariola, from Merrick, is also a sculptor and printmaker.  He received two Tiffany Grants and numerous prizes.   His work is in many public collections, including Hofstra University, Fordham University and also in private ones, including that of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.  He currently teaches at the National Art League in Douglaston.  Cariola has written a book about the Shroud of Turin entitled Shroud: Art Images.