#ESCAPE FROM #REALITY

There is a great beauty to be found in Diego’s subjects.

Words by Stephen Max; “Diego’s artwork reminds us of the simple human love of a mother for a child, of the nurturing gaze of all mothers, and the comfort they bring. We see the best of ourselves in them. His impossibly gorgeous execution of  Suonatrice di Linto was completed while living in Schwetzingen Germany in 1975  and his focus was upon the beauty of the human spirit.
Diego painted with immense beauty and grace, executing his work with painstaking care and attention to detail. Each of his brushstrokes was an act of love, and little by little, something breathtakingly beautiful came into formation. Overall a sense of comfort and peace soothe the onlooker liberating the stress embodied in everyday life. The beauty and tenderness of her face, that portrait of love and softness, encompasses every detail of this masterpiece.
In February 1975 we were entertained by Helga and Diego in their Schwetzingen home (near Heidelberg Germany).  After enjoying an exceptional wine, reacquainting ourselves with Helga, and meeting Diego for the first time, we observed this unfinished painting on an easel in his studio. The exceptional beauty and serenity of the painting could be easily visualized in its finished state and we simply had to have it. Following a good natured and animated dialogue, Diego agreed to complete the painting exclusively for us. We re-visited two weeks later for the purchase of this masterpiece and have enjoyed Suonatrice di Linto placed in a prominent location in our home ever since.”

The completed Masterpiece.
© 2017, Antonio DIEGO™ Voci,Suonatrice di linto. Oil on Canvas (gold leaf) Original Oil Painting 251-199 1975 80 CM X 40 CM Wendy and Stephen Max. Used with Permission The Diego™ Voci Estate.

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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.”

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.”

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.”

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

 

 

WHAT WOULD #DIEGO SAY?

“I am always learning, always painting, to fill a need… to express.”  Diego’s exact words.  We want and need more quotes!

First, thanks to Mara, Lars and Stephen for your comments that inspired by the life and art of our hero, Antonio Diego Voci (1920-1985).

Lars, we are so grateful you found Artifact Collector’s (see link http://www.artifactcollectors.com/diego-voci-antonio-diego-voci-3984818/Page17.html#115141 ) and shared your story with the history your parents have in collecting Diego Voci’s works of art.

ACTION FOR HELP:

Lars, and everyone who knew Diego, we would like to know much more about your personal experiences with Diego every detail to include in the Diego Voci Archive™.  One thing we treasure is the exact words as Diego would express his thoughts from the mundane to the worldly view of the great philosophers; everything in his broken Italian accented English. We are gathering such quotes to publish on Wikiquotes.

What would Diego say when he was smoking a cigarette? (2 packs a day, unfiltered)

Would Diego say anything after a first sip of wine?

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?

What were the first words out of Diego’s mouth when a potential collector came thru the door?

What were the first words out of Diego’s mouth when Diego put down his paint brush and knew a painting was done?

What were the first words out of Diego’s mouth when he sold a painting?

What would Diego say over and over and over again to Alessandra?

Helga, what slipped thru Diego’s voice to keep you calm, “quote” in his words?

Lars, we hope you receive the message on Artifact Collectors “Antonio Diego Voci” thread.  When you sign in on a “Guest” post without registering with AC (it’s free to register when you do) we are unable to respond to you directly and you will not be notified when we respond back to you.*

We” is in reference to the all-volunteer Diego Voci Project to assist the Diego Voci Estate in cataloging all of Diego works of art and creating awareness for the Diego Voci Legacy™.  Helga is still living in Taunusstein, Germany near Wiesbaden.

*NOTE: To all Artifact Collector readers, please sign in.  90% of “Guest” entries get lost in cyberspace of the website, preventing further person to person communication.  Signing in allows use of AC personal messaging system (not available as a “Guest”).

 

 

#MAX AND #DiegoVoci™PART TWO

Stephen and Wendy Max, #collectors of #DiegoVoci™ works of #art and past exclusive agent for Diego’s works in #Canada shares his personal experiences with #DiegoVoci™.

“Diego’s paintings are wordless, eloquent and #joyous expressions of Diego, a man and an artist we have known”. …Stephen and Wendy Max December 1985

“In 1975, we visited Diego and Helga at their home to meet with Diego and consider purchasing additional #paintings.

Diego and Helga were living in #Schwetzingen, #Germany at the time. Diego’s home housed art in so many #mediums and #forms, the visit was enchanting and we appreciated an enjoyable afternoon with Diego and Helga and a great bottle of #wine. On that visit we purchased the “Madchen Mit Tuch” and while there, we noticed an uncompleted painting, on an #easel in Diego’s #studio which was to become Suonatrice di Linto (February 1975).

Wendy and I instantly became entranced with the unfinished work and developed an unshakable bond with the painting, we needed to have it. We were able to convince Diego to complete the painting for us. This was truly a privilege to have witnessed the creation and completion of this painting which we enjoy as a masterpiece today.”

 This Guide to #TV shown with the image of “Suonatrice di Linto” was Stephen and Wendy Max first exposure to #DiegoVoci™ in #Germany 1974.                 https://www.pinterest.com/diegovoci/max-and-diegovocitm/

To view additional writings about “Suonatrice di Linto” click on the links below:

http://www.artifactcollectors.com/diego-voci-antonio-diego-voci-3984818/Page15.html#86908

and

https://diegovociproject.wordpress.com/2015/06/15/watching-master-painter-diego-complete-a-masterpiece/

Stay tuned to Part III…

AC DV History #213 2/24/2016

#CRAFTBEER #TATOOS AND NO SMOKING

…are a runaway trend in today’s “#New_Generation”…

Does the artwork of a long-dead artist fit into the lives of the “New Generation”?  Tastes change with time. For example, the constant smoking of internationally collected artist Antonio “Diego” Voci (VOH-chee, 1920-1985) would not be welcome in today’s trendy gathering places where no smoking is allowed.  40 cigarettes a day shortened Diego’s life when his lungs gave up.  45 years ago, at the La Gondola in Ramstein, Germany smoking was accepted. That’s where I dined with Diego on several occasions.

A good red wine, a tablecloth with an ash tray would be Diego’s setting as he perused Italian fare on Gigi’s menu.  Diego was most comfortable with extraordinary people in an ordinary setting, playing cards on the Mediterranean with fishermen in some poor village.  Diego’s specialty was portrayal of people.

As Victoria Williams wrote in 1974: “In the South, DIEGO says, people live their lives more openly.  They are more observable.  They gather in groups to talk on the street, they play games in their yards; they sit in the parks, – lovers, strangers, the poor, the rich, mothers, fathers, children, happy people, sad people, – people who have experienced – who are experiencing.  PEOPLE … living, feeling, being… these are the subjects of DIEGO.  He interprets freely on canvas what he has experienced.”

“An Italian under the rule of the Sun DIEGO paints richly.  He is drawn to living colors – warm, bright, dramatic.  His paintings radiate.  Like DIEGO, they dominate the space around them.  They demand attention.”  

One thing has not changed.  Art remains very much in the lives of our current generation.  Tattoos today are a fine art, very personal and proudly displayed on the aficionado’s skin rather than a canvas on a wall.  (Notice on The New Yorker cover the small of the lady’s back above the belt line).

The “New Generation” is not blind to quality and value. There are about 4,000 oil paintings signed “Diego” on 2 continents and some of them are appearing at absolute bargains. So be on the lookout.

GOOGLE, “Diego Voci” for more!

Happy Holidays!

Coop Cooprider, DIEGO Historian

DIEGO VOCI PROJECT