A Mecca for artists recently had Warren representation.
Kristina Giunta-Faulkner, a Warren native, participated in Parallax AF, an art show in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood during August. Dr. Chris Barlow usually puts on the show in London, Giunta-Faulkner said, but this was its inaugural appearance in the United States.
Although Giunta-Faulkner had just a narrow double panel to use, she said she was able to display her modern, progressive fantasy art. At the same time, she met people from all over the world with 30 countries represented.
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Proud artist
Kristina Giunta-Faulkner stands next to her work displayed in New York City.
Applications for the juried show were done online. A total of 175 artists participated, said Giunta-Faulkner said, called the experience overwhelming.
"So many people came to the reception," Giunta-Faulkner said. "They were wealthy and interesting people."
As curious art appreciators, Giunta-Faulkner said they took interest in the work. In addition, they were educated and knew about art.
One of the other artists at the event, Hiromi Katayama, has had her work displayed at the Crary Art Gallery in Warren. She had recently shown with Giunta-Faulkner as well, so they were surprised to see each other again.
Throughout the show, Giunta-Faulkner said, she received good reaction to her art. Like Pablo Picasso, she wants to give people a new way of looking at art.
Because she studied at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Giunta-Faulkner said her work has a commercial edge; it's not traditional.
Although her work isn't anime, Giunta-Faulkner said, it includes influences from that discipline. Anime is a type of Japanese movie and television animation.
Giunta-Faulkner said when she was very young, she started as a self-taught artist. While in grade school, her artistic mother influenced her.
Other schools Giunta-Faulkner studied at include Spokane Art School and Jamestown Community College. Recently, she has been studying at State University of New York at Fredonia.
"It's smart to keep going back," Giunta-Faulkner said. "You can never learn too much."
During the show, artists handed out cards so prospective buyers could contact them through their websites. Organizers didn't want to handle sales, Giunta-Faulkner said, and it was more about networking.
As an artist, Giunta-Faulkner said the hardest thing she had to do was decide which pieces to enter. Her work ranges from landscapes to abstracts to portraiture.
Mainly, Giunta-Faulkner said, her art is fantasy. One of her pieces at the show was entitled "Nostradamus."
Much of her work includes dayglo colors. While visiting other galleries in New York City, Giunta-Faulkner said, she saw a lot of neon incorporated into clothes and artwork.
"I was just about to lose that out of my work," Giunta-Faulkner said. "I thought people didn't like it."
Instead of reflecting a 1960s vibe, Giunta-Faulkner said she just puts a few such colors in to spice things up.
For any other local artists who want to progress in their artwork, Giunta-Faulkner recommends continuing to work. They should participate in every show they can and apply for everything.
"Like anything else, it's all work," Giunta-Faulkner said. "It's not glamorous like everyone thinks it is."