Wim Wenders used to say, "The world is in color, but the reality is in black and white". I find this sentence disarming and very true ... This is the third painting in a series of small works on wood in black and white, entitled "Almost in black and white", in which the colors shine and the emotions become stronger. They are small portraits that do not suffer from too much definition, because the absence of color can give way to their silent show ... This artwork is made with black gesso and acrylic colors on birch wood cradled panel. The edges are painted and the signature is present on the left one. The artwork is ready to hang and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. The surface is finished with a double layer of water-based satin varnish, which makes it resistant to UV rays and the passage of time. Painting, why? Because It is a deeply moving experience. Because the activity of thought is finally fixed and stopped in a tangible, completely personal form. Cultivating one's creativity is like entering Alice's wonderland, where painting is following a path of upside-down images, where seeing is no longer to look but to feel. I paint because for me it is a sort of abandonment, in which I lose track of time, have a place in my brain to look at the unfolding of a new world, never perceived before ... My early formative years at the atelier of the esteemed painter and dear friend Rodolfo Guzzoni directed my artistic path towards a profound exploration of portraiture, an art form with which I tried to capture the essence of a moment, of an emotion or simply a memory. My portraits almost act as windows into the human soul, through which melancholy, loneliness and fragility emerge. I have an impatient nature, I need to instantly realize what I have in mind. I prefer acrylic colours, which have a short drying time which allows me this. I also love their matte finish, which doesn't hinder the view of the work depending on the angle of the light. I am aware of the power that colors have. I started by painting in black and white, almost whispering. Now I use colors sparingly, few and in large areas, trying to create an unreal, almost metaphysical atmosphere, in contrast with the concreteness and realism of the portrayed subject. I love to always experiment with new techniques, new materials, create contrasts and continually test myself. We are constantly evolving and this change, although sometimes imperceptible, helps us grow and improve. I'm represented by ONART Gallery in Florence. For further information, please visit my website and my social profile. www.federicabelloli.com @federicabellolipainter