Biography
As far back as Gloria Cigolini can recall, creativity has been her healer, her solace, her friend and joy. This experience of awakening to life through creativity permeates all her work.
Born prematurely and later diagnosed with a life-threatening childhood disease, Cigolini spent much of her early youth in hospitals. After surviving several near death experiences she knew she would commit her life to painting and drawing. She attended New York's School of Visual Arts, and afterwards worked professionally as a textile designer. Changing her course, Cigolini moved to Paris to realize her dream to further study art and painting. In Paris, she studied at The Louvre and Paris American Academy, steeping herself in art history and architecture. Her painting teacher, Monsieur Arnaud D'Hauterives, was the recipient of the coveted Legion of Honor Award in 1977 and a student of Balthus, he introduced her to several Salons. In less than a year she was invited to exhibit with the Salon de Comparison and the Salon Des Artistes Francais, winning an award at the Grand Palais in the Artistes Francais 1978 exhibition for her large canvas, "Moving On."She returned to New York earning other awards: first place at the Duncan Gallery Prix de New York 1979 exhibition, and the Mamaroneck Artists Guild 1980 juried exhibition.
She returned to Italy in 1982 and discovered the Macchiaioli Painters of Tuscany these paintings had a profound effect on her. This series was received enthusiastically and was shown in NY at several galleries including the Hansen Gallery on 57th Street and the Jack Gallery in Soho. The Mediterranean series then toured the Midwest and was shown at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Columbus Ohio Museum, and Indianapolis Museum. The series also appeared on Dariaz Suisse Editions note cards for distribution in Europe. Her most recent works have been shown with Art Dialogue and the Joseph D. Carrier Galleries in Toronto, and the Art Gallery of Ontario, (AGO). She continues to paint landscapes of the Hudson Valley and is inspired by an inner knowledge of what some may call a channeled muse allowing the spirit of the eternal to guide her. Ms Cigolini De Pietro is presently working at a residential treatment center doing Art Therapy with orphaned and displaced youth.
Born prematurely and later diagnosed with a life-threatening childhood disease, Cigolini spent much of her early youth in hospitals. After surviving several near death experiences she knew she would commit her life to painting and drawing. She attended New York's School of Visual Arts, and afterwards worked professionally as a textile designer. Changing her course, Cigolini moved to Paris to realize her dream to further study art and painting. In Paris, she studied at The Louvre and Paris American Academy, steeping herself in art history and architecture. Her painting teacher, Monsieur Arnaud D'Hauterives, was the recipient of the coveted Legion of Honor Award in 1977 and a student of Balthus, he introduced her to several Salons. In less than a year she was invited to exhibit with the Salon de Comparison and the Salon Des Artistes Francais, winning an award at the Grand Palais in the Artistes Francais 1978 exhibition for her large canvas, "Moving On."She returned to New York earning other awards: first place at the Duncan Gallery Prix de New York 1979 exhibition, and the Mamaroneck Artists Guild 1980 juried exhibition. She returned to Italy in 1982 and discovered the Macchiaioli Painters of Tuscany these paintings had a profound effect on her. This series was received enthusiastically and was shown in NY at several galleries including the Hansen Gallery on 57th Street and the Jack Gallery in Soho. The Mediterranean series then toured the Midwest and was shown at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Columbus Ohio Museum, and Indianapolis Museum. The series also appeared on Dariaz Suisse Editions note cards for distribution in Europe. Her most recent works have been shown with Art Dialogue and the Joseph D. Carrier Galleries in Toronto, and the Art Gallery of Ontario, (AGO). She continues to paint landscapes of the Hudson Valley and is inspired by an inner knowledge of what some may call a channeled muse allowing the spirit of the eternal to guide her. Ms Cigolini De Pietro is presently working at a residential treatment center doing Art Therapy with orphaned and displaced youth.
