MAKING SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING
My artistic interest resides in an investigation of the hidden, the humble, in that which, thanks to the focus of the viewer, is transformed and exalted. My fascination concerns zooming in on the ordinary.
What will emerge?
I am British-Italian and was born in Rome, bilingual, and have lived in various countries in Europe and on the East and West coast of the USA. I have taken courses at The Falmouth College of Arts, UK, studied figure drawing with Rawle Harper at the Akthof in Munich, Germany, and in Rome at the Temple Tyler School of Art.
At secondary school, I had the good fortune of studying painting with two successful New York painters. One told me: "You have the soul of a painter." Following my Art A level, I was awarded a merit scholarship to study Fine Art at The Maryland Institute College of Art, USA. There I studied painting with Raoul Middleman, the celebrated painter. At a class crit, referring to our landscape paintings, he said, "Denise, your coursemate has made nothing out of something but you have made something out of nothing!"
It was in Italy, whilst walking through woods near Rome, that I created a series of informal landscape paintings, oil on canvas which can be viewed on this website.
"Denise's paintings have a dynamic quality which invites the viewer to step right inside them. She creates a deeply felt and evocative atmosphere so that nature becomes an inward and harmonious experience. She is worthy of standing on a podium."
Alessio Pinelli, article in the local magazine La Voce del Villaggio. Now Journalist at the Press Office, Roman Senate.
For this Series the Rome City Council awarded me prizes and shows. In 2005, I received a Special Mention by the Jury at the Premio Torretta Valadier for my painting Enchanted Wood.
“For having expressed quivering chromatic frequencies in a context of unity." Prof. Luigi Tallarico, Newspaper Il Secolo d’Italia
In 2006, I was awarded the First Prize at the Premio Monte Mario for my Green Triptych.
"Denise's knowledgeable, indeed virtuous brushstrokes express form while at the same time infusing it with dynamic energy. She interprets nature in an individual and psychological way. Luscious foliage and bountiful greenery express the force, radiance and abundance of a season bursting forth."
Jury members: Enrico Benaglia, painter, Annamaria Marchesini, Amici di Monte Mario Association, Alida Maria Sessa, writer.
Torretta Valadier (109 B.C.) at Ponte Milvio in Rome.
Between 2005 and 2007, the Rome City Council sponsored three solo shows of my paintings at the historic Torretta Valadier (109 B.C.) at Ponte Milvio in Rome.
My paintings depict wild vegetation and soil formation. Close-up views reveal intricate forms which interact symbiotically as parts of an organic system. New relationships come into play as old boundaries dissolve and new identities emerge. Dualistic forces such as above-below, inside-outside, and in focus-out of focus, operate in a context of unity.
“Denise's sensitive brushstrokes and compositions merge with her deeply felt and psychological interpretation of nature.”
Alessio Pinelli, Journalist at the Press Office, Roman Senate
“Denise transforms simple images through imagination, colour and light so that a simple shrub or a plant clinging to an escarpment becomes an image full of joyful vitality.”
Annamaria Marchesini, Amici di Monte Mario Association
“The brushstrokes and colours in Denise's paintings express her deep spirituality. Emotionally captivating.”
Loredana Ciocca, Cultural Managing Officer, Rome City Council
Comments from the art critics
Comments in the visitor’s book
“An ode to nature.”
“Highly refined brush strokes which demonstrate your sensitive nature.”
“Thank you for transmitting through your art that shadow and light which are always present in our life, and a deep sense of spirituality.”
“I really like these paintings because they have beautiful bright colours. A child. “
“An escape into an inner world.”
“An admirable journey from the insignificant into the infinite.”
“I have had a terrible day but when I saw your paintings I forgot everything!”
Shows and Prizes
2007
SOLO SHOW
Rome, Torretta Valadier at Ponte Milvio. Promoted by the Rome City Council.
SOLO SHOW
Rome, Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin in the 6th Century Cloister.
GROUP EXHIBITION
Ostia (Rome Province), Historic Public Library.
2006
ART AND FASHION EVENT
Rome, Gran Hotel Gianicolo. Organised by Galleria Astrolabio. Promoted by the Rome City Council, Cultural Section.
WINNER OF THE FIRST PRIZE
Rome, Painting competition Premio Monte Mario.
"In Denise Del Giudice’s very striking Triptych the image is divided up into an unsynchronized sequence. Her knowledgeable, indeed virtuous brush strokes deeply express matter in its physical aspect while markedly infusing it with dynamic energy. The use of a mossy green background leads to a very individualistic and psychological vision of nature. The luscious foliage of a tree and the vibrant, bountiful season back in full force express radiant and inspiring abundance".
Jury members Enrico Benaglia, Annamaria Marchesini, Alida Sessa. Organised by Associazione Amici di Monte Mario. Promoted by the Rome City Council
SOLO SHOW
Ode to Joy. Rome, Torretta Valadier at Ponte Milvio. Promoted by the Rome City Council
GROUP EXHIBITION
EstaExpo 2006. Civitavecchia (Rome Province), at the mediaeval Fortress. Organised by Associazione Culturale l’Anello. Promoted by the Local Tourist Authority.
GROUP EXHIBITION
Mirabilia. Rome, Torretta Valadier at Ponte Milvio. Organised by Associazione Culturale l’Anello.
2005
SOLO SHOW
La Natura nel Lazio. Rome, Torretta Valadier at Ponte Milvio. Sponsored by the Rome City Council
RECIPIENT OF A SPECIAL MENTION BY THE JURY
Art competition Premio Torretta di Ponte Milvio
Soul Colours
“For having expressed quivering chromatic frequencies within a unified environment”. Prof. Luigi Tallarico, Il Secolo d’Italia. Organised by Associazione Culturale l’Anello. Promoted by the Rome City Council
GROUP EXHIBITION
Estate EXPO 2005. Civitavecchia (Rome Province), at the mediaeval Fortress. Organised by Associazione Culturale l’Anello. Promoted by the Local Tourist Authority,
2003-2004
GROUP EXHIBITION
Siamo quasi 100 pittori, Bracciano (Rome Province). Organised by Associazione Pittori La Cerqua
GROUP EXHIBITION
Tre giorni di arti figurative a Trevignano. Trevignano Romano (Rome Province). Organised by Associazione Pittori La Cerqua.
ART COMPETITION
XIII Concorso Nazionale di Pittura: Scorci e Panorami di Manziana. Manziana (Rome Province). Organised by the Local Tourist Authority.
GROUP EXHIBITION
MusiCarnevArt - Anguillara Sabazia (Rome Province). Associazione Giovanile “A Prescindere”