Gino De Simone

Gino De Simone (November 8, 1932 - April 2, 2013) -- Somerville, Massachusetts

Gino De Simone was born November 8, 1932 in Somerville, Massachusetts. His mother and father immigrated from Italy to America in the 1920's. They were of proud Italian decent working hard to provide for six children.

De Simone's artistic talent and interest began at a very young age with drawing in pencil. He created imaginary characters, cartoon sketches and sketches of American presidents. His brother Frank remembers watching Gino draw at the kitchen table creating cartoon characters. At an early age he was interested in the art of the great masters.

He studied with Donato Lacedra in Boston, MA at the Donato School of Art. The Copley Gallery the oldest art gallery in Boston, Massachusetts is where he developed into a life-drawing instructor. The Copley Art Society in Boston, Massachusetts recognized his quality of line and his understanding the anatomy of nature. He turned part of his time to teaching and lecturing in Boston Public Schools, Fenway Schools, and in Winthrop, MA he worked with children of special needs. Commissioned for over 300 murals for homes and businesses his work is visible throughout the region. The commissioned murals are the foundation for his life long art career in Massachusetts. De Simone's creative career spans over 55 years. His works include landscapes, portraits and commissioned mural work.

De Simone travels to historical sites and the American National Parks for inspiration. He does not need a camera. He uses his memory to paint from when he returns home to his studio. His memory of image and color allow him to create beyond the real and bring an inspiring interpretation of a location or scene. Many of his finest landscapes are of the Lexington area because of his love of nature. De Simone was the first artist invited to exhibit in Minute Man National Park in Lexington. His travel to Arizona allowed him to develop an expressive and impressionist view of the desert, canyons, waterfalls, streams, and distant mountains in his work.

His paintings, drawings and metal sculptures have been exhibited at The Copley Art Society, The First Baptist Church, The Galerea Rossana, Boston City Hall galleries, Minute Man National Park and many other regional exhibitions.

The artist believes "the lesson is not about art, but about people, life and the sciences." A good painter must be a student of life, a psychiatrist and scientist. Through the years of painting pictures for people he has learned great life lessons about art.

Many other artists have influenced his art. These are: the great masters, the French and Italian schools, Pissarro because of his very emotional work and Monet for his expressive impressionist style and use of color. De Simone prefers to work in oil.

Gino De Simone's art is displayed throughout Massachusetts in restaurants, homes and other businesses. He continued to give demonstrations on seascape, landscape, portraiture, and still life throughout Massachusetts.