Kelly Weiner, an Oakland resident, recently returned from Italy where she partook in a program with Boston University studying Landscape Tuscany Painting. For six weeks on an estate called Captignano. Kelly and 15 other young women participated in two classes, Landscape Painting and either Italian or Art History. Kelly took Art History, which was a renaissance class, based on the the Tuscany region. Oil paint was the medium used, which was a first for Ms. Weiner.
At Fordham University, where she is entering into her Senior year as a Fine Arts Major, acrylic paints are used due to ventillation issues. The group took day trips to Florence quite regularly, as they resided outside of Borgo San Lorenzo which is an hour north of Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Arezzo, and Pisa. The weekends were free time for the students to paint or travel. Kelly spent a weekend in Rome and another in Amalfi. Students received eight credits for the course.
As Kelly returns to Fordham for her final undergraduate year of study she will decide on what to focus on next. She is looking into NYU and Columbia University to continue her studies in Fine Arts and Art History, as well as, a program with Sotheby’s in London.
Her talent as a painter can be attributed to her mother, who painted prior to having
children and to her fraternal Grandfather who was an artist as well. Her family and friends have been a great support to her in her decision to pursue art. Anna Beth Rys was her teacher at Indian Hills High School for four years. And her Professors, David Storey and Richard Kalina, have helped her grow as an artist at Fordham University. As you can see in her paintings, she is influenced greatly by the work of Lichtenstein and Van Gogh.
The Oakland Journal wishes Kelly much luck in her career as an artist.