meet the artist

LUCIO DIODATI

How were you introduced to art?
Ho sempre disegnato e colorato, sin da bambino...e sono diventato un artista senza che lo avessi cercato.
I have designed and colored since I was a child. I became an artist without searching for it.

Did your first solo show begin your success?
Piuttosto la mia personale mi ha fatto capire che il mio hobby poteva diventare una professione; avrei continuato a fare quello che mi piaceva ed essere pagato.
It was me personally that understood that my hobby could become a profession. I would have continued what I liked and to be paid.

What do you do if you experience a creative block?
Non penso possa accadere, a me piace sognare, sarebbe come morire.
I don’t think I can experience a creative block – I love to dream; to not would be like dying.

Your work shows many beautiful, colorful women – are there or have there always been such strong women in your life?
Il mondo è delle donne, l' uomo è solo un comprimario. Io, come Arlecchino sono loro complice. C'è forse qualche cosa di più bello della figura femminile?
The world is women. Man is only the supporting actor. I, as Arlecchino, am an accessory. Is there anything more beautiful than the female figure?

How do you handle criticism or feedback of your work?
C'è chi critica e chi suggerisce, ma io faccio comunque quello che amo senza farmi condizionare.
There are people who criticize and question, however I do not let it affect me.

What is the first thing that usually comes to your mind first thing in the morning?
Che è molto bello esserci.
What a beautiful thing to be alive.

How do you nurture your creativity?
E' una domanda che non mi sono mai fatto. Dipingo solo il mondo che mi circonda o... forse solo quello che mi interessa.
This is a question I have never been asked. I paint only the world around me or…perhaps only what interests me.

Where do you create?
Nella mia mente elaboro, poi in studio racconto.
I create in my mind and then in the studio I tell the story.

When you are working on a piece do you think about your audience and their reaction to the work? And if yes, who do you imagine your audience to be?
Non dipingo per gli altri ma penso comunque di aprire una porta a chi ama ancora sognare.
Not that I paint for others, but you open a door for those who love to dream.

If you were told you could no longer make art for some reason, what would you do with that energy?
Nel 2000 ho avuto un embolo al cervelletto e sono rimasto paralizzato alla metà sinistra, dicevano che sarei rimasto su una sedia a rotelle. Nel 2002 ero alla maratona di New York...e ho continuato a sognare.
In 2000 I had an embolism in my cerebellum and was paralyzed on my left side and they said I would stay in a wheelchair. In 2002 I ran the New York City marathon…and have continued to dream.

What do you think are the most positive things about being a working artist in today's cultural climate?
Essere veramente se stessi.
To be able to truly be yourself.

What gives you hope in the world?
Nel sorgere quotidiano del sole.
The sun rising everyday.

To see more of his beautiful work, take a look at Lucio's website: www.luciodiodati.com