Issue #159
Davide Piubeni
Il Passeggero
Davide was born in Italy (Sarezzo, Brescia) and graduated from L’Accademia delle Belle Arti, Brera in Milan in 1994. His artistic career had its beginnings in Brazil, where he produced very large biblical scenes for the church of Viseu, later for the cathedral of Bragança and San Vincent of Paul, in Belem du Para. Until 1998, Davide’s paintings were done strictly in the studio, but that year he met a fellow artist who convinced him to become a plein air painter (the french term plein air means out of doors.) He traveled throughout Western Europe where he would paint street scenes and would sell his work right from the spot where he painted them. In Spain he met another artist who had painted in Los Angeles, but his finances only permitted him to go as far as Miami. There, his sales improved enough to allow him to travel to Australia, where he continued to paint and sell on the streets of Sydney. He returned to Miami, where the demand for his work bloomed and he received numerous commissions by owners to paint their homes. Through the fortuitous association with another artist, in 2004 Davide was introduced to the Beach Cities of Los Angeles. The same year he was married to Veronica and who are now the proud parents of three children. Davide and his easel have become a familiar sight on our street corners and along the Strand, from Playa del Rey to Palos Verdes. His small gallery at the corner of Highland and 39th in Manhattan Beach until 2009 was also an eye-catcher when driving into town from the north. Now he is living in Culver City.
In my life, I paint the landscape in the streets, mostly on the iconic beaches in Southern California, where I meet many people from many countries. Since the weather here in California is mostly warm and sunny, I have the possibility to work outside most of the year. In my free time, I spend most of it with my family, visiting small towns out of the city in the mountains or desert, or along the coast. On top of that, I like to go on my weekly runs for my health and shape.
I left Italy in 1994 and I started traveling and painting in the streets of Europe and also painting churches in Latin America. Once I got to the United States in Maimi, I started also painting out in the streets, however, the weather was not great for the occasion, because it was very humid and tropical, which wasn’t ideal for my job. After Florida, I went to California, where I found the perfect weather and landscapes for the job I did.
One of the many, many best memories I have in the city is when one day I was painting in Beverly Hills, my white can of paint fell off my isle, and it rolled in the middle of the street, a car drove on it, causing all the white paint to squirt out of the can, and it got a parked car splashed with the white paint. After this, I had to pack all my stuff and leave.
I chose this specific location because Venice Beach is one of the most picturesque beaches of LA, and the big Mexican sombrero protects me from the heat and the sun.
I feel as if the Project ITALIANY is a good creation because it creates a memory for all the people who left Italy to pursue their dream and that can describe their adventures. Also, some of these memories/adventures can be an inspiration for people who want to do the same and leave Italy for their passion.
To be honest, I don’t feel as if I am an ambassador. This is because I paint Californian landscapes with the eyes of someone who was born and raised in a small town in Italy. I have seen museums of many churches and many religious artworks in antique churches, which can be imprinted on my artwork.
