Annamaria Bernardini fell in love with painting during her childhood in Florence, Italy. Inspired by the masters, she absorbed art in piazzas and local galleries while her father Giorgio Bernardini painted Tuscan landscapes. Annamaria created her own landscape paintings, but soon turned to “whimsical impressionism” to convey her love of animals and her own “inner child.”
After studying at the Ecole des Beaux Artes in Switzerland, Annamaria moved to the United States in 1967. Her brightly colored paintings were quickly inspired by the “natural beauty and abundance of wildlife” found in WNC.
An exhibition of Annamaria Bernardini’s acrylics will be on display at the West Asheville Library with an opening reception Saturday, Jan. 26 from 6-8 p.m. Annamaria often paints her two dogs, Basil and Sasha, and will put her passion for animals to good use. 10 percent of the proceeds from original paintings and prints will be donated to The Humane Society.
Paintings by Annamaria Bernardini will be on display at the West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Road, through February. Opening reception: Saturday, Jan. 16 from 6-8 p.m. Info: http://avl.mx/p9 or 250-4750.
