Meet Federica Campagnari: Visual Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Federica Campagnari and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Federica, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I inherited the love for the Arts from my family and I have an inner thrive for a visual research through different media, styles, forms, and colors. Creativity brings me joy, helps me find resourceful ways to overcome challenges and reach out to my aspirations.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My primary focus is on two-dimensional abstract art utilizing different media and techniques to express my inner vision. I consider my art an extension of my emotions. I draw inspiration from the constant flux of my surroundings where shapes, forms, and colors are continuously changing, Music is another source of inspiration, from the colorful exuberance of Baroque composers Arcangelo Corelli and Handel to the innovative music of contemporary composer Daniel Rothman. While living in Italy, I was surrounded by art, history, and centuries old culture which motivated my curiosity to explore past art forms and techniques. Over the course of my artistic career, I worked as a free-lance textile designer, I owned a stained glass studio where I designed and built leaded glass windows and did commission work, I exhibited my paintings at many venues in Italy and in Los Angeles, including the LACMA Art Rental Gallery. What interests me the most about art is the creative process and where the imagination would lead. I enjoy my hands on making the charcoal lines, the mixing of colors, the layering of the brush strokes and the textures. It’s exciting to see how a concept evolves into the actual visual work. Creating art is an emotional journey that never ceases to surprise me. One of the quotes I like by Auguste Rodin is: “The main thing is to be moved, to love, to hope, to tremble, to live”

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would recommend a tour of the Southern California coastal area to take in the remarkable views and beauty of the ocean, its natural surroundings, and explore the charming beach towns. Points of interest are Santa Monica with a visit to the Villa Getty Museum and lunch at the Museum restaurant. In the South Bay I recommend a stop at the “Caffè 3 Venezie” for authentic Italian espresso or cappuccino, fresh baked pastries, panini, gelato with an Italian café atmosphere. It’s in the city of Torrance at the foot of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The Coast Highway tour may continue to Long Beach with a detour through the Vincent Thomas suspension Bridge over the Port of Los Angeles and a visit to the Long Beach Art Museum. If in Orange County I recommend the city of Huntington Beach, historic surf hub. There, I suggest eating at “Zero Zero 39 Pizzeria” on Main Street for authentic Italian pizza. Further South on Coast Highway other interesting places are Laguna Beach and the Historic Capistrano Mission in the city of San Juan Capistrano.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Throughout my art career, I encountered many inspiring people. I choose to dedicate this article to my parents. I am thankful I inherited their creative genes and they encouraged my passion for art and music. I am grateful to Maestro Gianfranco Ghidoli, Master Stained Glass Artist, for his mentorship. Maestro Ghidoli broadened my skills and artistic vision through his knowledge and secrets of the ancient techniques of painting and firing on glass. His studio (Bottega d’Arte) was in the historic part of the city of Verona, Italy. It was like a leap back to the early Renaissance era, a completely unique experience.

Website: www.fcampagnari.com

Image Credits
Federica Campagnari