Stefano Vitale

Stefano was born in Padua, Italy in 1958. After attending the University of Verona he went to Los Angeles with a scholarship to study economics at UCLA . He arrived there thinking he could walk everywhere but soon discovered that life was impossible in Los Angeles without a car. Impressed by the sunny California lifestyle he transferred to USC where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in economics and social sciences. Because of excessive intellectual activity he reached the conclusion that the only field where he could express his unexpressable ideas were in the arts so he applied to the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena not knowing what he was getting into. He was accepted and quickly became known for always painting the same thing for every assignment - a madonna with one eye. During his years in California, Stefano traveled extensively throughout Mexico and Central America where the influence of folk art can still be seen in his work today. After graduating from Art Center College, Stefano went to New York City to look for work. 15 years in New York City and hundreds of subway rides later, he decided to return to his native Italy with his wife and their 2 children. He currently lives in Venice and now commutes in a colorful wooden boat.