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Art Studio: Sam Chiancola

By LIANE SMITH (Contact)

Sunday, April 8, 2007

For Sam Chiancola, 85, picking up a paint brush is not about getting into a juried show, selling his work for big bucks, or making it into a gallery. He is a hobby artist who picks up a paint brush for pleasure.

Photo by LIANE SMITH / Banner

Sam Chiancola stands in front of a mural he painted on the side of his home in Bonita Springs.

How he paints: "I need to have a picture of something," Chiancola said. "Then, I improvise." He uses pictures from locations he’s traveled to and often uses pictures from calendars.

His art: Every wall is covered with them, Chiancola says, as he and his wife, Lorene, point out animals, clipper ships, and landscape scenes surrounding their home off East Terry Street in Bonita Springs. He also makes and paints his own frames to fit his work. He said he enjoys painting clipper ships the most, because of the amount of detail work needed. He also paints unfinished ceramic statues and murals.

His murals: Outside the Chiancola’s home is a coastal scene with a lighthouse. Inside the home, a ledge high up the living room wall contains a mountainside mural acting as a backdrop for a lighted village of houses.

Chiancola’s first painting in 1974 hangs with more than 30 other works of his throughout the home.

How often he paints: "When I’m in the mood," Chiancola said. Or, for special occassions. He most recently painted a rabbit statue for family he’s visiting on Easter.

Why he paints: "It’s creative, you know what I mean? Creating something that you enjoy," he said. "I’ve always admired artists. I used to visit a lot of museums," Chiancola said. In 1963, he attended an art class. "I enjoyed it," he recalled. "Most of my paintings I give as housewarming gifts. I do them for pleasure."

When he doesn’t paint: Chiancola taught social studies for 31 years in Massachussetts. Before that, he was in the United States Air Force for three years. He’s been retired for 24 years now. Most of his spare time is spent volunteering with various groups he is a member of: Knights of Columbus, Southwest Florida Italian American Society, Naples Elks, and Long Term Care Ombudsman Program. He also serves mass every Wednesday at St. Williams Catholic Church in Naples.