#PowerArtists Interview with Painter and Sculptor, Robert Girandola

Many of you will recognize these #PowerArtists from their strong presence on Twitter and Facebook. Last week we met, Annie Strack in the fantastic interview, #PowerArtists Interview with Maritime Painter, Annie Strack.

The #PowerArtist this week is, Robert Girandola. This eclectic painter and sculptor uses his social media skills to keep his collectors and fans informed.

“PowerArtists are the social media ‘rockstars’ of the art world! Not only are they talented creatives, but they understand how to harness the power of social media and use it to promote their art careers. #PowerArtists are inspiring and freely share their knowledge with others.”

Robert Girandola is an internationally acclaimed artist with significant pieces in both public and private collections. Robert has a Bachelor of Science, Fairfield University, a Master’s of Fine Arts, Columbia University and a Masters of Science, RIT.
Robert helped coordinate an exchange of art and artists with the now defunct Soviet Union. He was twice chosen to participate in the prestigious ‘Art of the Northeast’.
Most recently he was chosen to design a bronze 9/11 memorial on permanent display near the World Trade Center and is currently working on a Veteran’s Monument.

1. Describe a typical day in the life of a #PowerArtist.

Well, I think the first thing is there is no ‘typical’ day. I have a wide range of work going on in my studio at any given time. There are sculptures in various stages of completion as well as canvas being painted.
What is typical, however, is I have my Blackberry with me almost constantly and while I am working I tweet various thoughts and ideas that come to mind, share steps along the way or read others tweets and re-tweet them. I find the whole process invigorating as if I have half the world in my studio.

2. Give an example of how you use social media to promote your art career.

I use social media to share my thoughts and my work. I enjoy directly engaging with my audience and getting immediate feedback from artists and friends around the world. I intertwine my blog and Posterous and Youtube with my tweeting and Facebooking to give my audience a multi-faceted look at the work I do.

3. If you could meet any artist: past, present, or future, who would it be and why?

I would love to meet Vermeer. I’d love to see how he would use contemporary tools in digital imaging as well as take a close, close look at his technique.

4. If your art could be displayed anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

The Museum of Modern Art in NYC. I have always had an affinity for that space. I see large scale works in my mind and in that space having an effect on the hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

5. What sage advice would you give an artist who is just starting out in his/her career?

Stay true to your core. Examine each boundary and try your best to identify if it is simply a self-imposed boundary or if it has real merit.

6. As a #PowerArtist, what do you do to ‘give back’ or ‘pay it forward’ to your community.

• In 2006 I did a bronze memorial for four firefighters who died in the North Tower on 9/11. This piece hangs in their firehouse today and inspires them each and every day. I did that work gratis and helped the firehouse raise over 10,000 dollars to pay for its casting in bronze.
• I am also currently working gratis on a Veteran’s Monument for our township.
• I am President of a local artists association (Trenton Artists Workshop Association) and help that group raise money, receive grants, develop shows for new and established artists as well as provide two scholarships a year for graduating high school seniors in photography and painting.

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Thank you, Robert for taking time to away from your busy life to share your interview with FineArtTips.com. To learn more about #PowerArtist, Robert Girandola and to view his works of art,  please visit his sites and links below:
website: http://www.robertgirandola.com
blog: http://robertgirandola.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/RobertGirandola
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/RobertGirandola
Animoto: http://animoto.com/play/PrR0yY9t2eIrwq7TIBh1bg
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Robert-Girandola/1549752903
Posterous: http://robertgirandola.posterous.com/
Stay tuned for the next #PowerArtists interview with, Tara Reed. If you know potential a #PowerArtist you’d like to nominate, please let his/her name in the comment section! Thank you, Lori 🙂

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