TARANTOLA

C E L E B R I T Y A R T I S T

Their faces are on TV screens everywhere. The major motion picture houses film them. The paparazzi stalk them for photographs, but when the stars want a portrait of themselves, who do they go to? TARANTOLA.

When Diana Ross wanted to create her image on the album cover of her Grammy nominated, “It’s My Turn” album, she chose TARANTOLA because he captures the spirit, passion, the very life of his subjects. His paintings come alive. To capture the essence of Rita Hayworth, daughter Princess Yasmin Aga Kahn chose a TARANTOLA portrait, which adorns the lobby of the Alzheimers Foundation. When Salem House published "Marilyn In Art", a TARANTOLA was a must, and when creating "Elvis In Art", "Princess Diana In Art" and "Madonna In Art".

Deemed a “celebrity pop artist,” his collection of over 2,000 portraits documents the entire spectrum of famous personalities in sports, entertainment and politics. Both black and white and color creations in oil and mixed media idealize his subjects with a striking warmth and brilliance which channels their essence, inviting the viewer to participate in the creative experience.

A descendant of Giustiniani Finocchio, a stone sculptor for the Pope in the 1800s, TARANTOLA’s creative roots date back generations. Without formal training, he has developed his own unique style of artwork. All things affect me. Inspiration is my motivation and art is my interpretation.”

While serving in the U.S. army, learning the art of camouflage make-up revealed how the colors blended, and deepened his knowledge. TARANTOLA works as a Master Hairstylist, and Styles Director for major beauty industries, including Clairol, Chanel, YSL, Matrix, L’oreal and Revlon. His camera-ready images embody the usefulness of a seasoned hair and make-up designer and the aesthetic of a natural artist.