Above: Life sized self portrait in oils by Tony La Spina
Hi everybody..
I though it a good idea at this stage to give my partner, Tony, his own post which can be added to as relevant events occur. Until now, he has popped up in combination with me in previous posts. Let’s start with a brief profile on Tony…
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Profile on Artist: Tony La Spina
Born 24.1.1926 in Sydney NSW to Sicilian born parents, Tony began his art training at the Antonio Dattilo-Rubbo (A.D.R.) Art School in Sydney. At 18, Tony joined the Australian Army as an Interpreter for 3 years during World War II. After his discharge in London, he studied at Hetherlies Art School and on return to Australia, was awarded a full time scholarship in Art, enabling him to complete 5 years comprehensive training at the National Art School from 1950-1955.
A special love for portraiture saw Tony’s portrait of well-known Australian Composer of music, Alfred Hill accepted and hung in the Archibald Prize c. 1957.
After a time working as a freelance Commercial artist for the Daily Mirror, Tony then worked with the Art Dept. of MGM for 2 years. He then directed is career primarily into Art Teaching and after completed a 1 year full time teacher training course, began teaching art at Liverpool Girls’ High in 1960.
Along with raising a family of four with wife, Rae, a move to Coffs Harbour, NSW in 1962 saw Tony teaching art with TAFE (which he was to continue for the next 28 years) as well as teaching art at the Jetty High School and Orara High School – during which time he was seconded to the University of NSW for 3 years to work within the Aboriginal community establishing the Playgroup movement for children.
Tony retired from teaching in 1990 and moved with Rae to the Central Coast prior to her demise in 2000. He now pursues art without any pressures, along with various community interests with a passionate interest in environmentally friendly alternative renewable energies. He and Julie assist each other with local art workshops and classes as well as painting together both in studios and on location.
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Tony and I became partners back in 2001 after we were both widowed. We have shared many positive activitites since then through our mutual love of art, music and family involvements. Here’s a little pic of us when we first joined forces and my portrait of Tony (in 3 modes)…
Now here is a slideshow of some of Tony’s portrait and landscape work…
If slideshow requires activating, please click on top right hand X
Now Tony in action at the Central Coast Festival of Arts demonstrating the art of portriature…
A beautiful Oil sketch Tony did of our friend and fellow-Artist, Lennie, painted in his 90s at the Senior Citizens Centre, Gosford.
Note; Another step by step portrait demonstration by Tony can be found in Post No. 7 of this blog and I will be adding in more of these from us both shortly.
I hope you have enjoyed viewing Tony’s approach to painting. As you can see, his current paintings still shine through with the results of impeccable early training. In fact, he is busily working in the Studio right now as I write!
Should you wish to contact him, please leave a comment so that he can reply.
Cheers, Julie
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