| Jimmy Talarico | Artist |
Artist Bio:
I was born and raised south of Chicago, Illinois but left shortly after high school to start a life in Montana. I attended Montana State University where I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Design and a Master's Degree in Architecture in 2001. My passion for the arts has always been a staple of who I am beginning in elementary school one evening at the kitchen table. While the rest of the family was watching television, I grabbed a piece of notebook paper and borrowed my sister's mirror to see how well I could draw my eye. This was the beginning of a life of artistic expression that grew to public poetry readings in high school, short experimental films in San Diego, furniture design and construction, 2D and 3D art of all media. All of this was previously done sporadically as a creative outlet before I realized this could become a life focus. Most people go through life never realizing why they were put here, accepting their fate and settling for their circumstances. I was fortunate enough to have a burn that would not let me rest till I began to respect the first passion I had as a child; art.
"Where do your ideas come from?" I'm frequently asked. To put it simply, they begin with our wounds.
My natural tendency is to be introverted and guarded. Vulnerability is a challenge for me. It has taken me many years of unconditional love from my wife, Melinda, to truly appreciate what I had suppressed for so long. I, like you, have masks that I've worn throughout my life for protection. But my art has broken down that barrier and has required that I look truthfully at myself. I present that person to you in hopes that we will find common ground and a desire to share compassion for each other's faults. This process may not always be pretty, but it can be beautiful.
This desire for dialogue between our wounded-ness and our beauty has given me a unique perspective for commissioned work. I am asked to take sentimental items that have a memory and present them back to my clients in a way that captures an emotion significant to them. Oftentimes I bring Melinda and our two kids into the work so we can discuss the creative process and so we all can participate in the "making." The opportunities we see to build family transforming relationships with art transcend our ego and help us to focus outside of ourselves. The commissions we receive give us families to serve. We believe these commissioned pieces can help families to build on the positive things that make them unique. And if the pieces reflect moments of unconditional love and family values, maybe those things will stay on their minds and they will be more likely to share them with others. This reflection will positively reinforce who they are as a family. After all, family is where society begins, good or bad. And we welcome the chance to contribute to the good.
"Where do your ideas come from?" I'm frequently asked. To put it simply, they begin with our wounds.
My natural tendency is to be introverted and guarded. Vulnerability is a challenge for me. It has taken me many years of unconditional love from my wife, Melinda, to truly appreciate what I had suppressed for so long. I, like you, have masks that I've worn throughout my life for protection. But my art has broken down that barrier and has required that I look truthfully at myself. I present that person to you in hopes that we will find common ground and a desire to share compassion for each other's faults. This process may not always be pretty, but it can be beautiful.
This desire for dialogue between our wounded-ness and our beauty has given me a unique perspective for commissioned work. I am asked to take sentimental items that have a memory and present them back to my clients in a way that captures an emotion significant to them. Oftentimes I bring Melinda and our two kids into the work so we can discuss the creative process and so we all can participate in the "making." The opportunities we see to build family transforming relationships with art transcend our ego and help us to focus outside of ourselves. The commissions we receive give us families to serve. We believe these commissioned pieces can help families to build on the positive things that make them unique. And if the pieces reflect moments of unconditional love and family values, maybe those things will stay on their minds and they will be more likely to share them with others. This reflection will positively reinforce who they are as a family. After all, family is where society begins, good or bad. And we welcome the chance to contribute to the good.
