Interview 17

  Beltain/May Day Month Preview Special

Alessia can you tell us your last name and where you are from and a little about your name, family and where you live.

My name is Alessia Coppola; I’m an Italian illustrator, painter, handicrafts woman, and writer. I was born on October 19th 1984 in Brindisi, where I have been living ever since with my family, namely my parents and my sister.

Can you tell us if your family has supported your art and if so how.

Indeed, my family has always been very supportive on my artistic inclination. My mother gave me my first paint box when I was three years old, and since then, colour became a necessary element to my life. Furthermore, they have always followed the artistic path, during each project elaboration, as well as during the competitions and exhibitions I have attended, and the ones I still take part in. As I understand, I suppose I started painting in an attempt to emulate my mother’s work. Once I met art, I did never give up on that, along with singing and writing, and that became a prominent thing in my entire life, and what gave meaning to it. Namely, I think that it was art that found me, not the other way around.

Alessia can you tell us if you have had any formal training in art and if so where.  If not what kind of work has helped you in your art?

I attended my hometown Figurative Arts high school, but after that I didn’t go further in such studies in the field, having chosen different paths.  Nonetheless, during the high-school years I learned how to model clay as well as to carve. As a matter of fact carving is another great passion, not to mention photography. As it can be inferred, I am self-taught, having learned on my own the techniques and use of colour.

Do you use models for your art? 

I don’t generally use models for my works. Sometimes, I get inspired by my sister, to write and draw, and that’s why her face appears frequently on my drawings.

How do you think of your subjects for your artwork?

The elaboration of subject matters varies according to the selected technique. To make a painting, I generally use oil-colours on canvas. For illustrations on paper I use different material instead, such as pastels, watercolours, oil-colours, echo line, Indian ink, and so on.

Can you tell us why you do fantasy art and magical fairy art?

I did not choose Fantasy-style purposely; it was a recurring theme in my drawings, since childhood. When I was a kid I was enchanted by the Grimm’s fairy-tales, Andersen’s ones, Disney movies and such enchanted places, only existing in imagination.  With years going by, I took interest in readings such as “The Lord of the Rings” and illustrators such as Alan Lee, therefore, I could not but be charmed by this world, so very far from reality. My fantasy world happens to be my real world… maybe I am more a kid today then many years ago, as well as I dream more today than what I used to do in the past. I love drawing elves, mermaids, dragons, and mythological creatures, not to forget the fairies.  Fairies are my favourite subject matters, because they allow me to express a part of myself best. The fairies have bonded many memories and “reveries”. They are my magic lucky talismans, my guide. Many people are beginning to call me a “fairy”!

Can you tell us all the other type products that you make with your creativity?

Apart from painting, fantasy and children drawings, I am a handcrafts woman; therefore I make objects with clay, china puppets, bijouterie, I paint on glass, canvas, wood and other material.

Have you ever been to the United States?

No, unfortunately I have not been to the USA.

Do you have any pets?

No, I do not have any animals; I would love to have a black cat though!

Can you please tell us what you think of the global warming and the protection of our earth?   We ask this of all of our Interview People and would love to hear what you think is important to help.

I think that global warming is a major threat to the sake of our planet. Scientific data are growing more and more alarming and it’s us, as mankind, to be blamed regarding this phenomenon. Therefore, we should cut our greenhouse-gas levels, as far as it’s possible.

Can you tell us if where you live impacts what you paint?

The place where I live often influences my painting. I get inspiration from the colours of my beloved land, from landscapes, the sea and the scents. My land is always recurring in my work.

Can you give any advise to future artists in what they should do to pursue  a career in art and how to market their art?

I’m not capable of making suggestions to other artists, not feeling contrived myself and being in a constant effort to provide and raise visibility to my works. I can plainly say that the web is a major way to gain popularity. Thank to the web I had the chance to get in touch with artists that gave me hints and tips. Sites such as Myspace, offer various connections, and that is how many people got to learn about my works. From there came a number of invitations to exhibitions, even abroad.

Can you tell us some places in France that has helped you with your art that we might be able to look online to see?

I’ve never been to France, but a friend of mine showed me some pictures of southern France. I got charmed by that, awesome… Above all, I was fascinated by the castles and the greenery of the parks. I made up a work inspired by one of these castles, which is now online on myspace, its title is “Il Ritorno” (The Rebound). I have not exhibited in France yet, but over there, I have sold a work that is viewable on myspace, titled “Il Risveglio della Primavera” (The Springtime awakening). I made several exhibitions in Italy though, and I think that it will happen again soon.

Excuse me dear for a short time I was thinking you lived in France

Do you do shows in Italy and what things are you doing now in addition to painting.

My inclination for art began at a very tender age, I remember of it blooming and growing when I was still a little kid. I am keen on painting, drawing, writing and reading. Moreover, I get my inspiration source from the music and the world, which surrounds me. My first exhibition occurred in my hometown at the age of fifteen.  Since then, after that “debùt” experience onwards, over the past years, several other experiences came forth.  In 2005 I got my first collection of poems published and soon a new one will come to light. As of today, I am busy writing a fantasy novel and I am also working on a fairy-tales collection devoted to children.

I think our readers would like to know something that is interesting that has to do with Italy and Art that you feel you love for others to know.

There are things of my Italy that I would love to spread, such as art and architecture bearing witness of the great geniuses of the past.  I often regard my Italy, such as an art cradle… In particular I love my region, Puglia, as well as my hometown. I feel a strong bond to it; it belongs to me just as I belong to it. I love its sea, the enchantment of its sky, the olive-trees on country trails, and each thread of grass.

Can you tell us what famous artists inspired your art.

There are many artists I love, and by whom I got inspired from in the past. I am now trying to develop a rather personal style to my works, trying to let aside possible influences. But I have always loved Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Jacques-Louis David, Francisco Hayez, Auguste Renoir, Van Gogh, Edward Monet, Gustav Klimt and many others.

http://www.artalessia.com  (currently down for maintenance)

http://www.myspace.com/alessiacoppola

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31466786@N06

http://artwanted.com/artist.cfm?artid=41504

http://fairiesworld.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=246

http://www.facebook.com/posted.php?id=41371376644#/pages/Alessia-Coppolas-Art/70182903311?ref=mf

http://www.facebook.com/postedphp?id=1371376644#/profile.php?id=1063810149&ref=name