NAME: Eleonora Martorana

LOCATION (COUNTY)(COUNTRY): Vienna, Austria

DID YOU HAVE ANY FORMAL TRAINING? yes
IF SO WHERE/WHEN:2008 MasterDegree,AcademyofFineArtsofRome,MasterofArts(110/110cumlaude) 2006 Degree,AcademyofFineArtsofRome,(110/110)

SUBJECT OF CHOICE
I love to paint wildlife animals, especially birds for their delicate and weightless figure and the lovely bright colours. Now I am also working on insects, animals of the forest and migrating animals.

MEDIUM OF CHOICE
Oil and gold leaf on canvas or wood. I use textured backgrounds and a combination of warm and cold colours, especially blue-green with red-yellow, for the sense of balance, they give me, of restorative equilibrium for the eyes and the soul.
I love to work with gold leaf. It is a heritage coming from my experience as a decorator and gilder. I am fascinated by the capacity of gold to reflect light with different shades, giving back different feelings every time you look at it. Besides, I was inspired by the traditional religious Icons, for the sense of peace, of knowledge, of solemn contemplation.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

Art is my quiet place; it always has been, since I was a child. It was the place where I didn’t have to worry about anything; I could just be myself, be free, alive and magic. I spent most of my childhood drawing quietly in a corner, and it is something that grew up with me. I could just draw what I wanted or imagined, and I was so proud of it!

Art could give me something I was, and I still am, constantly looking for: peace, serenity. Nature is a marvellous place of never-ending inspiration to me. It is where we all belong to, and we all came back to when we need to have a peaceful recharging contemplation.
I am driven by the beauty and perfection of nature, the serenity, the unknown and the unpredictable that lies on the eyes or feathers of these elusive creatures. I am fascinated by the colourful and variety of living things, so tiny and fragile as well as surprisingly resourceful. It is something that speaks to my soul, that makes me feel peaceful, in admiration.

I paint what brings me peace. I paint the serenity of nature, the beauty, the joy, the balance, the fragility. Art is my peaceful place, and I hope to bring the same peace and joy to the viewer.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ARTISTIC AMBITIONS THAT YOU ARE WORKING TOWARDS?
IF SO, WHAT ARE THEY? I am working on four different collections at the moment about the animal world. I am planning on exhibit in solo and group exhibitions, and I am looking for collaborations with wildlife conservation charities or organizations.

LINKS:
WEBSITE: https://www.eleonoramartorana.com/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Eleonora-Martorana-Art-104179227753346/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/eleonora.martorana/

DO YOU OFFER WORKSHOPS / TUITION / COMMISSIONS?

I regularly work on commission. Alongside my painting career, I also worked for years in workshops within the decorative arts sector, in Italy and the UK, and I have a wide knowledge of art materials and techniques. I create paintings, portraits and mural art, as well as grotesque, grisailles, stencils or linocut on panels or furniture. I can realize chinoiserie and traditional techniques like fresco, egg tempera, and gilding. I can paint, antique, decorate and gild glasses and mirrors, create original Verre' eglomise’ and antiqued mirrors.

Please get in touch through my website for any information.