FOND #MEMORIES FROM HELGA, DIEGO’S WIDOW

Words from Helga recently shared with us on October 17, 2019; “In 1968 we spent 6 months in Tenerife. At that time we had a Fiat sport car cabrio and we drove to Barcelona and took a boat to Tenerife, it took 4 days and almost all passengers were seasick.”

Diego Voci; Beach of San Marcos Tenerife 1968 24″ x 30″

Me too, except Diego and a Swedish man. We became friends with him during the whole time we stayed there. We rented a small bungalow which was built on top of a big house and which had a very big terrace with a great view over the island and the sea. It was great. On this terrace Diego painted mostly and at that time he had a contract with Joy and Jawdat (Naffouj)and we would sent her about 20 paintings each month in a roll. We had a fantastic time there.”

To learn more about this time period of Diego’s life: https://www.artifactcollectors.com/diego-history-4330818/Page2.html#43810

1975 #RAMSTEIN #GERMANY!

richard cummings with indian drawing 1975

Almost 40 years ago, Lt. Col. Richard Cummings purchased “Indian” from Antonio Diego (referred to the biography written by Joy Gibson) at the Ramstein AFB in Germany.  Receiving memories on how Diego collectors purchased Diego’s works of art adds to the history of Diego Voci and becomes a part of the Diego Voci Legacy.

Be a part of the Diego Voci Legacy, share your memories to diegovociproject@gmail.com or visit Diego Voci Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diego.voci

 

Memories of Diego Voci by Widow Helga

The Diego Voci Project is gathering “everyday moments” of Diego.

We posted a series of questions on Artifact Collectors to help us learn more about Diego.  http://www.artifactcollectors.com/diego-voci-antonio-diego-voci-3984818/Page17.html#115141

Helga Voci in Germany, responded.  She is the widow of internationally collected artist Diego Voci (1920-85).  Helga shares with us her behind the scenes life with Diego.

What would Diego say when he was smoking a cigarette? (2 packs a day, unfiltered)
“Diego said never anything when he smoked, he enjoyed his cigarettes, and he only got mad when me or somebody else would criticize for smoking so much. He smoked all over, in the house, in the car, at a friends’ house.”

DIEGO with cigarette in hand

Would Diego say anything after a first sip of wine? “Wine was fine for him, but he would never drink more than 1 or 2 glasses, after dinner only espresso and water.”

What would Diego say when he was frustrated with a painting? What would he do? Would he stop and say something or did he gesture a frustration?  “When Diego was frustrated with a painting he would put it aside and finish it later.”

What were the first words out of Diego’s mouth when a potential collector came thru the door?  “Diego was always friendly and very pleased when somebody would come through the door, a customer or just friend, he always liked to have guests in the house, we always said-we have an open house.”

What were the first words out of Diego’s mouth when Diego put down his paint brush and knew a painting was done?  “When a painting was done, he would put it away and it did not interest him anymore, he was only interested in a white canvas, so he could start again.”

Foto0120 Christiane Hauk (2)

What were the first words out of Diego’s mouth when he sold a painting?  “Diego did not get so much excited when he sold a painting, he knew he needed the money to pay the bills, but money did not really interest him, he wanted a good life, nice Restaurants, Holidays, good Hotels, pay his bills, the house, etc.  But he never was interested to shevel money, he did not care, as long as I had a comfortable life and Alessandra had everything she needed, everything was fine.”

What would Diego say over and over and over again to Alessandra?  “He always would say to Alessandra “Pallina mia” (little ball), he loved her very much, he would go to Italy once a year and buy beautiful dresses, coats and shoes in expensive boutiques for her, this was his biggest pleasure, he would buy everything what she wanted.”

DIEGO, Joy & Alessandra in St. Tropez, France 1977

Helga, what slipped into Diego’s voice to keep you calm, “quote” in his words? “To me he would say: Tutto bene (everything all right), non aver paura (don`t worry), and stai calma (be quiet, there are no problems).”

Diego__and_Helga

Diego Collectors, share your memories with us at diegovociproject@gmail.com.

 

 

ONE #DIEGOVOCI PAINTING HOLDS SO MANY MEMORIES

petite-village-de-montague_a

Tony and Stacie Westbrook share their #heartfelt #story of their Diego Voci painting title “Petit Village de Montague” and how this #painting holds many years of memories for them.

In Tony’s words:

My wife and I purchased this piece while living in Germany and serving with the US military around 1982.  We seem to recall that we purchased it at an art show probably held at the Officers Club in either Stuttgart or Heidelberg.  We were living in Heilbronn at the time.  Over the years we have collected many pieces of art – originals and limited prints – yet this piece (Petit Village de Montague) remains our absolute favorite.  It is a constant reminder of our time in Europe and what we took on as a very young married couple.  I am happy to say that after 37 years we are still very happily married and that this piece always gets the most prominent spot in the house.  It has been all over the United States and has been enjoyed by countless numbers of our friends.  Its simplicity, warmth, and mixture of color/contrast make it a wonderful piece to gaze at and enjoy for a lifetime.  This painting is one of my most prized processions and I will never part with it.

“Petit Village de Montague” as painted by Diego, represented all that we loved about out time in Europe while allowing our imagination to constantly explore who lived in village, where the village was, what the families experienced, endured, and enjoyed about their town.  The painting just brought forth positive feelings and thoughts which is what drew us to it.

This is one example of stories we receive from collectors of Diego Voci’s work of art.  The Diego Voci Estate dreams of one day to find a generous benefactor to sponsor a major museum exhibition… in the meantime take a tour of Diego’s virtual museum: https://youtu.be/GG5Jl-2FuXM

 

SEND US YOUR #PHOTOS and #MEMORIES OF #DIEGOVOCI

The #Cooprider family has never been distant from #ART. My mom Patti, an #ArtHistory Major, is having a show this weekend – with just a #Taste of her talent being shown in La Jolla, CA. Patti and my dad Coop raised us in Europe and always made sure we appreciated the cultures and the arts of each country we visited. My parents both studied Art – and even with seven kids we traveled, they traveled, seeing museums and collections we never dreamed of seeing in person. They continue with their passion of the “#Arts.” Check out my mom Patti’s Gallery Show link: http://www.1210gallery.com (FB, too).

Below are 2 photos. First shown are my dad Coop Cooprider (Diego Historian) with my 6 siblings (I took the photo in ‘72) with one of their first Diego Oil #Paintings up on the wall. “Friends” was bought from Naffouj’s Private Collection (see our heading on WordPress).

“Friends” by Diego with the COOPRIDERS, 1972

Antonio DIEGO #Voci is just one artist who graces my parents walls today in their home in California 40 years later. Best, here is the 2nd photo of my mom, #Diego, my younger sister Kendra– and myself #Kami – shown below. Diego took time (not much – maybe 5 minutes) to sketch for me my own personal “Clown.” It hung on my walls for many years. During my many moves over the last 40 years though – it disappeared.

Diego sketching a #CLOWN for #KamiCooprider, with mom Patti and Sister Kendra, ca mid 70's

Diego sketching a #CLOWN for #KamiCooprider, with mom Patti and Sister Kendra, ca mid 70’s

#TRIVIA: a point often overlooked in old photographs where Diego was captured there might be a hidden DIEGO we can identify – notice the “Flower” Painting in the top right corner? It could be the one that belongs to this day to the “Dr. Ogden Brown” family in Colorado. “Petit Fleurs” is one of the numerous DIEGO artworks in their family collection. https://www.pinterest.com/diegovoci/

“Petit Fleurs” by Diego Voci, PC. Dunne-Brown

Do you have old photos with DIEGO in them?   Send them to us: diegovociproject@gmail.comcom or post on Facebook “Diego Voci”

Search DIEGO VOCI on YouTube and GOOGLE

AC DV History #206 9/6/2015

DIEGO VOCI 95 AUGUST 10!!!

Diego 1973 COPY

What ideas does everybody have to honor Diego’s birth 95 years ago on August 10, 1920?

Email us at diegovociproject.com.

Diego Voci on Google and YouTube.

Courtesy of www.diegovociproject.com

MEMORIES OF UNCLE DIEGO by Mario #Voci (U.K.)

“Hello everyone! As I was going through some old photos it occurred to me an episode happened when uncle Diego was visiting us in the mid 50’s, same time of the photo where the whole Voci family are posing in front of St. Peter’s in #Rome with “nonna” (grandma) Arcangela ( See photo: http://www.artifactcollectors.com/diego-history-4330818/Page7.html#198)

Antonio #Diego Voci in 1954

Antonio #Diego Voci in 1954

He came with his big car #Opel #Kapitän and as I was fascinated by its size and style. I asked my father Guiseppe (#Diego’s younger brother) if uncle could take me for a drive, which he did.

Whilst driving I noticed a hammer on the dashboard and I asked what on earth he had such a thing next to him. He took the hammer, and smiling he banged it against the windscreen and  said it was only rubber – that he used it when driving in Paris for the drivers there were a bit naughty. Uncle “Toto” would frighten them by banging the hammer on his windows.

Funny but true. He liked to joke a lot my dear uncle “Toto“. I hope this will be of interest to you.

Best wishes from Mario Voci in England”

Thank you Mario! With regards from the DIEGO VOCI PROJECT Team
Coop, Stephen, Lisa and Kami

Visit and Write us at: www.diegovociproject.com

AC DV History #198 4/5/2015