Regina Miele: Local Artist, Global Reach

From Cecile Oreste at danceDC

Local artist Regina Miele knows about turning passion into a paycheck. For more than 16 years, she has made a living from selling her paintings and exhibiting her work. Although creating work on demand has its challenges, she finds the experience extremely rewarding.

Miele is one of 12 Mid City Artists currently exhibiting her work at DC Loft Gallery on 14th Street NW. According to Miele, she wanted to participate in the exhibition, Social Network in the Neighborhood, as it was a great opportunity to show with other local artists. Although she is part of Mid City Artists, she often exhibits outside the DC area. Most recently, her work has been displayed in Miami as part of Art Basel.

Miele is one of 12 Mid City Artists currently exhibiting her work at DC Loft Gallery on 14th Street NW.

In addition to exhibiting her work nationally in Miami, New York and Chicago, Miele has had an impressive showing internationally. She was invited to be part of the 2009 Florence Biennale in Italy and next year she will display her work at The International Art Biennial at the Izmir International Fair Center in Turkey.

Studied in Florence

Miele took classes in fine arts, art theory and art history while studying abroad at the Scoulo Lorenzo Di Medici Istituto Di Studi Italiani in Florence.

The technicality of painting and drawing is still what she enjoys today.

Her course work in Italy has had a dramatic influence on her painting style. While studying in Florence, she took a curriculum based on traditional painting. Many of the classes focused on the technical aspects of both painting and drawing, providing a full tool box of skills for Miele to use.

The technicality of painting and drawing is still what she enjoys today. “I love the nuts and bolts of it,” she said.

Miele’s Artistic Process

When asked about her artistic process, Miele said she always starts by writing some kind of thesis. From there she does a lot of sketching, narrowing 40 to 50 ideas down to five to 10. The inspiration for her paintings come from reading and from visiting galleries.

Miele often walks down to the National Gallery of Art and looks at classics as inspiration — works by Rembrandt, for example. The space where her work will ultimately be displayed also comes into the planning process. She finds out the dimensions of the venue so she can create her work to scale.

Miele hopes to continue building her network internationally and as well as  locally. She looks forward to collaborating with other Mid City Artists and exhibiting in galleries in Paris and London. For more information about Miele and her work, please visit her website.