Artist paints with “Profound Lunacy
September 26, 2008
By Laura Geggel
Bobby DiTrani stands next to his artwork, which will be on display in George’s Bakery & Deli until the end of September. Photo by Laura Geggel.
People hankering for a cinnamon roll snack at George’s Bakery & Deli can now satisfy their art cravings, as well.
North Bend artist Bobby DiTrani has filled one of the bakery’s walls with seven of his paintings, dark pieces with textured brushstrokes and startling bright highlights of color.
“I think every artist has their thing they do most. I like the light and the quality of the light,” the 20-year-old said. “I like the Baroque-esque style with harsher angled light.”
DiTrani, a 2006 Mount Si High School graduate, lives in Kirkland and attends Bellevue Community College, where he takes art classes. But he still visits the Valley to see his parents, play guitar with his friends and paint the scenery.
He started painting at 5 years old and found himself fascinated with the surrealist Salvador Dalí book his parents had given him.
“I just liked the idea of him,” DiTrani said. “Now I understand I was more into his unique sense of weirdness.”
DiTrani is perfecting his own “sense of weirdness,” by taking as many art classes as possible. He gets to know his professors, who let him use their studio space at BCC.
“He’s a great student to have — he’s very focused, very serious, very emotive,” said Dale Lindman, an instructor of art at BCC. “We call him Art Rat. He’s there painting a lot.”
Lindman compared DiTraini to Italian painter Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, a Baroque painter known for his dramatic lighting and warm brown tones.
George’s Bakery & Deli co-owner Kathie Stokesberry said she often catches people examining or discussing DiTrani’s artwork.
“He’s very talented,” said Stokesberry, whose father was an artist. Her favorite painting, a self-portrait titled “The Proposal,” has a dark background with a spotlight on DiTrani’s face.
Stokesberry took a break from baking to offer her analysis of the painting.
“It borders on the bizarre with the oversized eyes,” Stokesberry said. “The hand itself is smooth, but it is almost grotesque the way it’s turned. The curves and lines make your eye circle and go to the face.”
This isn’t the first time DiTrani has showcased his art. At BCC, he founded the Student Art Collective, which put student artwork on display. He said he enjoys the dark, thick brushstrokes characteristic of the Baroque period, but used the term “profound lunacy” to define his collection.
In a different self-portrait called “The Secret Primate,” DiTrani painted himself antlers. Another hardboard creation features a face coming out of the earth. He encouraged viewers to interpret his paintings in any way they wanted. He is constantly interpreting artwork himself, having visited the Seattle Art Museum’s exhibit, “Inspiring Impressionism: The Impressionists and the Art of the Past,” three times.
“Every time I went, I wanted to go home and paint,” DiTrani said.
DiTrani’s artwork ranges from $100 to $400 and will remain on display until the end of September. To see more of DiTrani’s artwork, visit http://myartspace.com and enter “Bobby DiTrani” into the search bar.
Reach reporter Laura Geggel at 392-6434 .221 or lgeggel@snovalleystar.com.
Comments
Got something to say?
Before you comment, please note:
- These comments are moderated.
- Comments should be relevant to the topic at hand and contribute to its discussion.
- Personal attacks and/or excessive profanity will not be tolerated and such comments will not be approved.
- This is not your personal chat room or forum, so please stay on topic.
