Carver Hill Gallery: July 5 First Friday Opening of "IL MIO MONDO

Rockland, Maine - Carver Hill Gallery, 338 Main Street in Rockland, Maine, is very pleased to introduce three incredible new artists in the show “Il Mio Mondo” (In My Own World) for our July First Friday Art Walk, 7/ 5/2013. The opening reception hours are 5 – 8 PM.

Roberto Boiardi’s paintings explore cityscapes and 20th century figures in "anonymous” urban locations, rather than recognizable metropolitan areas with iconic buildings and landmarks. The work has the look of old crumpled photographs, which he creates by preparing the canvas with a layer of cementite and acrylic paste. He then paints in oil, which he frequently mixes with chalk to add even more texture. The result is a wonderfully matt, distressed look that is further complemented by his palette of smoky colors. Roberto Boiardi currently lives and paints in Piacenza, Italy.

Giggi Gatti’s work combines cultivated painting (nineteenth and twentieth century figurative work), medieval frescos, and images from advertising and illustration. His paintings have an uncanny familiarity to them that most viewers agree on, but can’t pinpoint. There is a nineteenth century folk art feel to them, but they are far more accessible and believable. His brushstrokes are short, slow and deliberate. Nothing happens by accident in these works. They are thoughtful and compelling. Like Modigliani, he outlines his work, but it is much less obvious – it separates his subjects from their environment, which they almost seem to blend right into. Like faded comic strips, they whisper instead of shout. Gigi’s poetic expression is centered in human solitude and the mysterious charm of existence. He currently resides in his home country of Italy.

Laura Balombini is a *been there done that* kind of artist. She has a BFA in ceramics, but is also a fabric artist, milliner, jeweler, and painter. Interestingly enough, she seems to do it all well. Throw creative writing and gardening in the mix and you have this wonder woman of a creator. Laura’s pursuit of wholesome, natural living brought her to Maine 20 years ago where she continued to make art, babies, and gardens until her recent move south, to the hills of North Carolina. Her work humorously depicts life’s trials and tribulations, combining her finely tuned ability in clay work with wonderfully appropriate found objects and fabric.

Collectively, the three artists of “Il Mio Mondo” offer us a “viewer’s vignette” of casual moments in time where the rest of the world is tuned out.

Show runs through July 31. http://www.carverhillgallery.com/