Meet Adrian Giuliani

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Adrian Giuliani . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Adrian, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

I think it comes down to being 100% myself, not trying to be anyone else. It is a flawless plan, really.

I know that as long as I am doing honest work, which for me means using a great deal of observation, those moments of reality that I am capturing are going to shine through. Since I am focused on good drawing skills, I am able to then embrace some imperfection, sharing a personal part of myself with the viewer. I believe that perfection is overrated. A bit of imperfection is interesting.

I also treasure confusion, because I know that creativity comes out of confusion. If I slow down and truly observe, I am going to discover something.

If a piece doesn’t work out, I believe the painting session is still a victory, as long as I have learned something. I often paint directly over the ones that did not work out.

Since, in my mind, imperfection, confusion, even frustration and “failure” are not negatives and can all lead to learning and creativity, self confidence comes from embracing my flaws and allowing them to become my strengths.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am an American contemporary, internationally recognized, pastel artist.  My passion is soft pastels.

First introduced to soft pastel by Flora Giffuni, the founder of the Pastel Society of America, I was fortunate, as a high school senior, to take a pastel class with Flora in her home. The following year I began my studies at the Rhode Island School of Design, where working from life was a daily practice. Walking into the studio, we were greeted by a model, sometimes nude or clothed in colorful costumes. Junior year I took a pastel class with an inspiring instructor, Richard Merkin. Entranced with the immediacy, tactile quality and brilliant colors, pastel became my medium. I began to set up still lifes on my kitchen table, working from life. The process of working from direct observation is so important. It strengthens our skills. Connections are made, as we witness the magic that happens when light touches an old tarnished tea kettle, and we appreciate beauty in the simplest of subjects.

After graduation, children’s pastel portraits were my focus, joyfully capturing moments in time. Eventually I realized how much I missed working from life, and I dove, head first, into exploring pastel still lifes, florals and self portraits. Today I am exploring all of these genres, playing and experimenting. Beginning in observation, I eventually engage my artistic instincts to instill a bit of fun, working with a complete sense of freedom. Then I will often flip back to my observation. Observation anchors the piece. It is a push and pull, as I play with both! I do not have one particular process. Keeping myself open to exploration, without worrying about the finished piece, gives me the freedom to take some bold chances. Preferring to leave the piece a bit unfinished, the viewer is then invited to fill in the parts that I have not spelled out. Playing with abstraction, I am able to create simplified marks and strokes to represent the reality I see before me.

Proud to be a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America and on the PSA Board of Governors, I achieved my IAPS Master Circle Status in 2019. My pastel work has been exhibited in numerous international shows, including the PSA Enduring Brilliance annual exhibitions and the International Association of Pastel Societies shows. In the Pastel Society of America 2020 Enduring Brilliance, I was honored to be awarded the Daniel E. Greene PSA-MP, HFH Memorial Award for my self portrait, Breaking Through Boundaries.  Creating this self portrait during the Pandemic was a powerful experience for me.  I expressed a plethora of intense emotions, experienced during a time of racial injustice and upheaval, that is still going on today.  This recognition by awards juror, Marjorie Shelley, Metropolitan Museum of Art pastel expert, honoring the memory of Daniel E. Greene PSA-MP HFH, a pastel icon, was so meaningful to me.  My floral, Harmonic Celebration, was on the cover of the 2021 issue of Pastelagram, and I was also quite honored to have a featured article with several of my works in the 2023 Fall issue of the Pastel Journal.  My work is in the permanent collection of the National Arts Club.

As I create alone in my studio, painting simple everyday subjects, which are close to my heart, this recognition of my work means a great deal to me.

This past year I have been giving presentations to various pastel societies. My presentation is entitled: Ideas and Philosophies about Art Making; Looking at Things in a New Light. I am delighted to share some of the unique ways that I look at art making, and all of my philosophies may also be applied to life or any art medium. Many artists, including my students, have told me that they have been inspired, finding the freedom to embrace new ways of looking at the creation of art.

I am teaching two pastel classes, one in person class, locally, and another Zoom pastel class for the Pastel Society of America. It is an ongoing class called Finding Your Freedom Through Observation, Exploration and Joy. The title of the class expresses my goals for my students! Through demos, in depth student artwork review, discussion and presentations, I encourage my students to find freedom and joy in their art, honing their drawing skills, observing, and instilling a sense of play by engaging their artistic instincts. “Adrian is the most refreshing and unconventional instructor who is unlocking such a sense of freedom in my work!  She isn’t just teaching us techniques, she is explaining how to embody the joy of creating.”  Laurie Basham about my PSA Zoom class.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

  • Working from life: When I was a young girl, marking pen in hand, I would sketch my Dad, as he posed for me. I only painted and drew from life and my imagination back then. That is what my heart told me to do. At RISD, painting or drawing the model in a studio class, creating still lifes in my kitchen and sunset pastels while peering out my pantry window, all became a strong foundation for me to build upon.   A joyful way to work, my art these days is almost exclusively done from life.
  • Finding my medium of pastel: I love the immediacy, versatility, the buttery consistency of these little gems and their glorious colors. The pastel gliding across the sanded paper is melodic to me, as I create a fresh glowing mark, sometimes leaving it pure and untouched, other times lightly scumbling another pastel to create interest and depth.
  • Being respectful of my own artistic journey. This is my own journey, and I honor it. I don’t compare myself to others. I am, of course, continuously inspired by other artists, both old masters and my contemporary peers.  We artists are always growing and learning.

My advice to an artist who is just starting out would be to work from life, strengthening your drawing skills first. Drawing is the foundation of every painting. Experiment with many media and find the one that makes your heart sing and is a good fit for you. You will know when you find it. Play and experiment, take some workshops. Stay focused on your own journey, and do not compare yourself to others. In addition, genuinely support other artists!  Go to museums, appreciate the old masters, then find your own artistic voice, that unique thing that makes your work yours. If you haven’t found it yet, immerse yourself in your work, get immensely curious without the need for perfection, just learn. It will happen organically. Immerse yourself in observing shapes, angles, and values.  Forget what you are drawing.  Enjoy your journey, PLAY, and keep learning!

The pastel artistic community is the most beautiful and supportive I have ever encountered.  It has added joy, purpose and excitement to my life. My involvement with the Pastel Society of America, IAPS and the Pastel Society of New Jersey, among others, has been so rewarding. The friendships I have formed and my involvement in these societies, which includes wonderful exhibitions, events and a celebration of the pastel medium, has greatly enhanced my life!  Go visit the annual exhibition this September for the Pastel Society of America, Enduring Brilliance, in New York City. You will be amazed at the diversity and immense beauty of the exhibition!! I also encourage new artists to join your local society and volunteer in any way you feel comfortable!

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

I love doing my artwork in my own experience, alone in my studio. One of my challenges is just that. Since I prefer to be alone when doing my artwork, demos were initially less comfortable for me. After graduating RISD, I was working on my own for many, many years. Taking no classes or workshops, I instead intently focused on my own artistic growth, exploring, delightedly, in my own “happy place.”

Painting is an immersive experience, and I am at my best when I am by myself. Playing, pushing, and experimenting freely and fearlessly, I don’t worry about the final piece, often following my subconscious mind’s lead. I like to crank loud, eclectic, upbeat music or a podcast while working.  My work sometimes transitions these days. I may begin painting one subject and then eventually douse it with water, flip it around, painting something entirely different on top. I love to feel completely free and uninhibited. Putting myself into a state of freedom is easier for me when alone.

With practice, I have become much more comfortable with demoing. I think the best way to overcome this challenge is to do it anyway.  Suspending worry about doing my “best” work, I still share my thought process and my unique beliefs and tools. I have given myself permission to joyfully share my unique ways of working, as “untraditional” as they may be!  I am happy to report that I am successfully sharing all aspects of my philosophies and artistic process with my students, encouraging, instructing and inspiring them, despite these challenges!!

One demo that I had created last year in my in person pastel class, entitled Adrian Apple Seed, was juried into a recent IAPS Web Show, also winning an award by juror and master painter, Martin Campos, in a Red Rock Pastel Society of Nevada Show.  Both were so exciting!

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Leadership Development
Empathy Unlocked: Understanding how to Develop Emotional Intelligence

“Empathy is the starting point for creating a community and taking action. It’s the impetus

Productivity
Where do you get your work ethic from?

We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic

Productivity
Boosting Productivity Through Self-Care

When you have a never-ending to-do list it can feel irresponsible to engage in self-care,