Being an Artist in a Controversial World

Resilience and Authenticity in a Changing Planet ⁓

As I've already written, I find it difficult to activate my creative side these days. Painting, writing, teaching... in short, thinking positive!

Should the Show Must Go On?

I admire those who pretend it's "business as usual." They put on their brightest smiles, express their enthusiasm, sing and dance, have a party. "The show must go on!" While the world is burning around us. This is understandable; it helps keep morale high, makes us feel part of the solution and not part of the problem.

Middle Eastern Eyes - Watercolor by Francesco Fontana (c) 2025

Today's Meaning is Hidden in the Past

To rediscover meaning and motivation today, I reread old blog posts or review old paintings. As Jerry Saltz says in How to Be an Artist, "In your old suitcase is the truth of who you are." Looking to the past helps me recognize what recurs over time: signs, color, themes, sensitivity. This allows me to get rid of what no longer represents me and helps me be true to myself. By developing this and moving forward, I hope to leave a tiny trace of truth in the world.

Being Proud of Myself

I don't intend to leave this planet too soon, and I plan to create works that I'll be even prouder of. Works that bear witness to my presence in this fantastic and painful, bloody and ecstatic era all at once. And I leave you with a question: shoud I (we) be more radical in our artistic research!

As always, write to me with your thoughts and feelings.

Happy Art Life, Francesco

P.S. More about my artistic statement in this my blog post: 

Join my (News) Artist Letters!

Follow me on Instagram
Share and have a friend subscribed
Send Francesco an email

The Mentor I Always Wanted

When I was very young I longed to have a mentor. My father, a good man in many ways, lacked the patience and character to be a guide, a beacon, a role model. His mission was to support five children! Not to support the artistic ambitions of a young hippie!

A wise guide since the antiquity

In the Odyssey, Ulysses entrusts his son Telemachus to the wise Mentor, to carry out the function that he will not be able to carry out by going to war against Troy. Me, I struggled alone for a long time in the search for who I was and in authorizing myself to be so. But I was lucky enough to meet a couple of 'fatherly' men in my journey. Thanks to them I built self confidence day by day, one experience at a time, in different countries and with different personalities. 

The answers you ignore to have

Today I am told to be a good listener, and be able to guide my mentees so that they reflect and discover by themselves the best choice for them. I became a 'father'. Beyond the technique and practical advice in painting, I suggest different lens to look at their own works, and let them finally see what is 'hidden' before their eyes. This gives great confidence to those who follow the path of art!

Happy Art Life! -- Francesco 

Join (News) Artist Letters! Visit my Art Store
Follow me on Instagram
Share and have a friend subscribe
Send Francesco an email