NY 80's-90's | Deborah Lanino

New York Period

Expressionist Painting - 1980's - Brooklyn, NY

Conceptual Illustration - 1990's - Chelsea, NY

Tuscany in Water

Oil on canvas

30" x 40"
1986

Water

Oil on canvas

30" x 40"
1986

Volcanic Lava I Mt. Etna, Sicily

Oil on canvas

30" x 40"
1986

Volcanic Lava II Mt. Etna, Sicily
Oil on canvas

30" x 40"
1986

Water, Volcanic and Urban Street Scene Paintings
These paintings were made early on in the 80's while living in New York City. Some years ago, I traveled by train from Florence to Sicily with an artist friend and we stood very close to the lava of Mount Etna, an active stratovolcano located in Sicily, Italy. Our sneakers melted! These paintings were made after that adventure. These striking expressionist street scenes of Rome are oil paintings that utilize one point and atmospheric perspective. Ancient architecture can be seen in the background. Colors and textures are from reality imagination and memory. This series is about courage, overcoming fear, a journey towards truth and light.

Ancient Street
Oil on canvas

30" x 40"
1988

Ancient Street Scene

Oil on canvas

40" x 60"

1986

Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay

Oil on canvas

40" x 60"
1986

Urban Rural

Acrylic and Marble Dust on aged wood

19" x 46"

1986

Time Traveler - Berlin, Germany

Acrylic on canvas

36" x 24"
1992

Spicy Lady

Oil paint, sand, coffee, spices and mixed media fabric on canvas

30" x 40"
1986

Past Present - Bologna, Italy
Oil on canvas

40" x 30"
1987

Beach Girl
This is a self portrait by the sea. It was made when I was moving from Long Island to NYC with oil paint and sand from the long island beaches where I grew up. There is also some marble dust mixed in from Carrera, Italy from when I studied painting abroad in Florence the year before.

I still remember the day I went on a local bus with the quarry workers to the quarries where Michelangelo got his marble. This piece is about reflections and transitions.

Beach Girl

Portrait of the Artist

Oil paint, Babylon' LI beach sand and Carrera , Italy marble dust on canvas

40" x 30"

Framed
1986

After the Dance

Oil on canvas

24" x 18"
1986

Ballerina at the Barre

Oil on canvas

20" x 16"
1986

After the Dancing
Oil on canvas

40" x 30"
1986

Resilience & Ballet

Here are a few of my early works with the theme of the Ballet.

This work was inspired by my first love... the ballet. As a young teen, I stopped dancing on point due to a knee injury and I began painting. One of the subjects I first painted in my early career in NYC as a theme was the ballet. This work is about growth, resilience, reflection, transitions and renewal.

It started because I was born with torn ligaments in my knees and the hospital doctor said I would never walk. My Dad took a second job so I could go to ballet lessons, which was recommended by a second doctor for strengthening. I started dancing at June Clair in Long Island, NY. A few years later, in middle school, I danced on stage with Ralph Macchio - American actor.

I eventually went on to study at the famous Eglevsky Ballet with Leda Anchutina. I remember dancing with the toe shoes one summer when I was around 13 - there was no AC and we danced until our toes bled. It was hard core. After a while, I had to stop because my knees gave out and I could no longer dance on point. I had originally started ballet to strengthen them as a child and I grew to love the ballet. Eventually, I focused on visual arts, something I also enjoyed. Eglevsky Ballet was founded by legendary New York City Ballet principal dancer Andre Eglevsky and Leda Anchutina. Eglevsky was one of the greatest dancers of his generation. Here are a few of my early works with the theme of the Ballet.