FONTANA SHELTER? WHAT’S THAT???
Well, you know, in short Fontana Shelter (a member of West Ox Arts Gallery in Bampton, Faringdon Art Society in Faringdon, Oxfordshire Artweeks in Oxford, an Opulent Art represented artist and a JaamZIN Creative represented artist) carries on with the art activity of the Italian painter Luigi Fontana, specialized in pyrography and tempera colours. Fontana Shelter is proudly supported by the cultural website DOWNTON GAZETTE, recently created just after the Covid-19 Pandemic in order to promote the Beauty through Art, Music, Theatre and Literature and concerning whatever can be referred to Downton Abbey TV drama series ( in particular the enchanting and exquisite locations). Fontana Shelter also provides Downton Gazette’s books with lovely illustrations.
Their brave motto is ‘You can change your life if you want to. Sometimes you have to be hard on yourself, but you can change it completely, I know’ (said Mr.Bates to Gwen in Downton Abbey Season 1)
WEBSITE https://downtongazette.altervista.org
INSTAGRAM downtongazett TWITTER Downtongazette EMAIL downtongazette@gmail.com
INTERVIEW WITH FONTANA SHELTER
‘HOW DO YOU DO’
What job would you do if you couldn’t be an artist?
I’m also a writer and a musician. Art entered my life in a flash as a thunderbolt shines in the dark sky during a storm. I had dedicated the most part of my existence to music when suddenly the hand of fate gave me the chance to start a cultural activity (my blog Downton Gazette at https://downtongazette.altervista.org ) connecting all my passions (Art, Theatre and Music) and supporting Fontana Shelter that provides the enchanting illustrations to my books.
The latest one is ‘Shining Ocean’, a tribute to Irish culture; the next one will pay homage to the 30th death Anniversary of Sir Matt Busby (2024).
How did you get into Art?
Well, Art is a ‘family affair’ to me! You know, my Grandfather was a marvellous painter and ‘Fontana Shelter’ carries on with his activity. Born in Piacenza, the son of a decorator and nephew of a paintress who gave him an artistic education, at first Luigi Fontana became a portraitist and his work was marked by a great vitality and rich tempera colours, taste and elegance. After he gave himself entirely over to the landscape, a keen microcosm of man’s soul. He was particularly impressed by some majestic monuments of cities he visited and which he painted several times (pyrography on wood).
‘Fontana Shelter’ was recently created in his loving memory to promote his collections. The Covid-19 Pandemic had a fundamental influence on my way of thinking and the terrible lockdown made me understand the importance of art as a promotional means of moral virtues. Thus it is thanks to Serendipity that I had my rendez-vous with art!
WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT FONTANA SHELTER…
Which single piece of your artworks would you save in a disaster and why?
Firstly I’d call the Firemen, secondly I’d save ‘Tennessee’. That’s a painting celebrating Pearl Harbor’s soundtrack. It describes the passage of time and life in an unconventional, original and scenographic way. A life marked by the daily hardships and storms that make it fly here and there trying to push it away from the right path. Nevertheless our willpower and our strong determination manage to save us from the rushing wind and lead us to the dawn’s light of a new day, a new hope. Like every religion this new dawn means the beginning of a better and fulfilled life that is surely able to cancel all the storms and suffering of the previous life
Does your art represent anything?
To me it’s an emblem for resilience, both a getaway (an escape) and a gateway (a means of access to happiness).
How long do your pieces normally take you? …I’m like Speedy Gonzalez…Always (never…)😂
Is it a quick process or a long drawn out thoughtful one?
It’s a quick process to due the fact that I’m always busy as a bee! 🐝
Do you collaborate with anyone during the process of creating art?
No, I don’t. I prefer working alone like a ‘lonely shepherd’(probably you remember ‘The Lonely Sheperd’, a famous instrumental piece by James Last !). I do believe that the process of creating art must absolutely take place in an idyllic atmosphere, pleasant and simple, without any difficulties or other ‘shepherds’…This peaceful setting is the winning recipe for a good result! Finally, when the work is ready, I’m glad to exclaim ‘That’s a sight for sore eyes!’ (I do hope that…)
Do you work in silence or with music?
Absolutely with music. And obviously, when I create my music compositions, I usually think of my paintings as I’m going to give them a sort of ideal soundtrack. Well, you know, I must confess that I couldn’t imagine a picture without a music accompaniment. Not ever. As a matter of fact, it’s quite easy to understand my point of view: my pictures always become the illustrations of my books and are terrifically accompanied by the lyrics of moving and touching songs. In fact my art is based on circular connections and aims to tell a story like a movie’s script.
Would you like to teach upcoming artists? What kind of advice would you give them?
1) Study! 2) Be resilient! 3) Just go out and enjoy yourself! (this was Sir Matt Busby’s motto)
Would you be flattered or annoyed if you saw very similar artworks to yours?
I would be so flattered and I’d feel very honoured! That would be the definitive proof that someone has spent some precious minutes of his existence in admiring my artwork and has given me the most valuable thing, that is the time we dedicate to others!
Do you have any inspiration for your artwork?
Yes indeed, whatever is magical to me. Art is definitely supernatural and refers to magic (Actor Gabriel Byrne could define it with the Irish word Draíocht).
How would you define your art style?
A ‘wannabe perfect’ style, I mean: Fontana’s style aims to reflect reality and fix it on the paper in order to make it eternal and immortal by capturing emotions as a photograph. But, let me say ‘How difficult, that’s a mission impossible!’
What makes you happy as an artist?
I’m not in search of the appreciation of millions and tons of spectators (if they are so numerous, they’re welcome!). I just wish they could truly understand the effort and the fatigue and, obviously, they could capture the inner beauty of the work.
Where do you find inspiration?
In front of the photographs taken in my favourite places, that are the poignant and marvellous landscapes that I keep in my heart.
When is your favourite time of day to create?
‘Up in the morning early’…quoting Robert Burns! What motivates you to create? The awesome task to continue my Grandfather’s activity and promote the beauty of his art. That’s a way to get home: ‘So lead me on, and leave me strong, like the road I walk on. When I need to get home,You’re my guiding light’ (Guiding Light, a song by Foy Vance)
MY RECENT EXHIBITIONS
– February-March 2023: NEW YORK EXHIBITION AT WEST OX ARTS IN BAMPTON
-April 2023: OXFORDSHIRE ARTWEEKS ONLINE SPRING SHOW
– May 2023: OXFORDSHIRE ARTWEEKS FESTIVAL
– May 2023: MY LOVELY POSTCARDS EXHIBITION AT SOBELL HOUSE HOSPICE. OXFORD
– June-July 2023: USEFUL AND BEAUTIFUL EXHIBITION AT WEST OX ARTS IN BAMPTON
-October 2023: OXFORD BURY KNOWLE ART GROUP AT BAPTIST CHURCH, BONN SQUARE, OXFORD (75th Anniversary)
-November-December 2023: CHRISTMAS SHOW AT OXFORDSHIRE ARTWEEKS
-November-December 2023: THE ART OF GIVING AT WEST OX ARTS GALLERY IN BAMPTON
-November 2023: NOVEMBER CALL OUT AT OPULENT ART GALLERY & ARTSY . 3rd PRIZE WINNER
-December 2023: OPULENT ART Represented Artist on Social Media -January 2024: ARTSY CATALOGUE (Artsy based in NEW YORK)
-January 2024: JAAMZIN CREATIVE AGENCY (based in SINGAPORE)
https://www.artsy.net/opulent-art-gallery/artist/fontana-shelter
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNTckutGhT2n9PCE5F45s2w/videos
https://www.opulentart.co.uk/artist/fontana-shelter
https://www.faringdonartsociety.co.uk/fontana-shelter.html
https://www.artweeks.org/p/maria-grazia-fontana-shelter-woa
http://www.westoxarts.com/maria-grazia.html
https://www.jaamzin.com/post/painter-fontana-shelter
Well, that’s all. Be gorgeous, be great and be glorious!
written by Downton Gazette
downtongazette@gmail.com
