Talented artists always attract viewers to their canvas. But Ron DiCianni strives for much more.
"I realize that any painting can make you look," he states. "I'm hoping that mine will help you see."
The Chicago native has created scores of paintings with Christian themes over the past decade, and his art adorns countless calendars, prints and inspirational items in the marketplace.
However, Ron's tremendous artistic talent almost never developed, and only God's intervention allowed it to flourish. His mom almost terminated her pregnancy but backed out moments before the scheduled medical procedure.
"It was truly a miracle that I was born," DiCianni says.
The artist credits his grandmother for providing a guiding, godly influence in the home. At age 12, DiCianni recognized his need for God and accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour.
"My grandmother didn't speak a word of English, but she was a powerful witness for God," he reveals. "I began going to church regularly and as a teenager first realized the Lord had unique plans for me.
"I attended a youth rally when I about 15," DiCianni continues. "Even though I was sitting in the middle of about 1,500 other kids, the evangelist singled me out as one being called into special service by God."
After one year of college, DiCianni enrolled at Chicago's prestigious American Academy of Art. To pay for tuition, he laboured late afternoons and nights as a janitor at his church. Through a combination of part-time employment and scholarships, DiCianni completed his studies and felt inspired to pursue a career in Christian art. Discouraged in that direction by his instructors, the young artist switched to commercial art instead.
His talent and work ethic led to assignments from many of the world's corporate giants including Ford Motor Company, McDonald's, and the U.S. Olympic Committee. But DiCianni never lost sight of his desire and goal to paint for God's glory.
"The vision always kept resurfacing," he admits. "About 14 years ago during a time of prayer, I felt God say the time was right for me to follow my dream and start painting for Him."
DiCianni plunged full-time into Christian artistry. As his concept materialized, he developed the MasterPeace Collection for DaySpring and recently he expanded his mission by forming a new company, Art2See. In addition, the multi-talented artist has illustrated books for Christian writers such as Frank Peretti, and co-authored books with Max Lucado, Joni Eareckson-Tada and Michael Card, as well as penning several devotional books using his art as focal points.
"The smartest thing I ever did was say, 'Lord, I am available to you alone,' " he states. "I have never for one moment regretted that decision. I didn't always understand what God was doing, but as long as He knows, that's quite enough for me."
Electrifying scenes and confrontational images highlight many of DiCianni's oils. Among his more powerful masterpieces is "He Holds The Keys," portraying Christ descending a vast staircase to set the prisoners of sin free, firmly gripping a set of dungeon keys.
"When I first started out, I thought my aim would be to paint pretty pictures with verses on them," the painter reveals. "Now I realize that the Master gave me a high calling. It may not be the most popular, but that is what I am called to do.
"It is my sincere hope that my paintings will result in encouragement and knowledge of God," states DiCianni.
DiCianni will make two appearances in Edmonton during the month of April. On Saturday, April 12, he will conduct a signing at Blessings Christian Marketplace, and the following Monday, April 14, the artist will give his personal testimony at the monthly banquet of the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship.
"Wherever I go, I speak what God wants me to say and not what people expect to hear. I try to bring a fresh message to address people's deeper needs by sharing some of my personal experiences."
For more information on Ron DiCianni and his art, visit his Website, www.art2see.com. Call (780) 432-3447 for details on his upcoming appearances in Edmonton.
Rockwell meets the Renaissance
by John Hillman
Some critics describe Ron DiCianni's art as "Norman Rockwell embraces the Renaissance." That's because many of DiCianni's paintings combine traditional Biblical figures or angels with drawings of ordinary individuals.
"Norman Rockwell said he painted simple things in a simple way," the artist says. "I really don't have any original ideas. My themes come from the Bible, and I'm merely putting God's truth in a visual format."
But the California-based painter also draws upon the artwork of the great masters such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo to create what he terms a "Second Renaissance" in Christian art.
"In the Renaissance, Godly messages were pervading society because the Church was producing the messages and the images," he says. "My work is for the serious believer and serious seeker. It is meant to deliver a powerful, potent message."
DiCianni recently completed a series of paintings to commemorate the hundreds of fireman, policemen, and paramedics who risked their lives in the aftermath of the Sept. 11th terrorist bombings. The artist found inspiration from Rockwell's "Four Freedoms" series to create this profound artwork.
"Rockwell brought World War II home to the people," the painter comments. "At first, the White House rejected them, but after the Saturday Evening Post ran them as covers, they generated more than $150 million dollars in war bond sales."
Recognizing that today's society depends more on images and sounds for inspiration and learning, DiCianni encourages talented young artists to follow in his footsteps. He also offers strong advice when they ask what subjects to paint.
"We need a second Renaissance. It's one of the last untapped frontiers we have to fulfill the command of Jesus to spread the Gospel," he emphasizes. "But artists must paint with conviction and I urge them to create whatever makes them weep when they are on their knees before God."
