Glen Violi is a portrait artist. He also does some abstract art. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Glen moved to Bowling Green in 1979 at the age of fourteen.

“The reaction of the folks that receive my art is so satisfying to me because I know that I am using my God given talents to bring joy to others. I’ve only sold a few pieces of art and that’s only been recently. I’ve always given my art away as gifts. Now that I am getting older and losing my ability to labor hard, I hope to sell more artwork and eventually use art for my retirement. I’ve done paintings on doors, canvases, walls, velvet, and cardboard. I use all forms of medium and combine mediums a lot. Sometimes I use pencil only”, said Glen.

“The portrait I painted of my wife, Gil in Love, is one of my favorite pieces. A close friend of ours, Max Weaver, gave me the best compliment I’ve ever gotten. When he saw if for the first time he turned to my wife and said, ‘That looks more like you than you do!’”

Mr. Violi has a spare bedroom in his house that he has adapted into a studio where he does all his artwork. He said, “My first portrait ever was of my Grandpap Brucker. I did it at age six. He recognized my talent and encouraged me in every way possible. He bought me my first supplies and used to take me to art museums when I was a child. I’ve been doing my art all of my life. I believe that if you have an idea on how to create, always at least try it. Don’t be afraid to try anything! My inspiration comes from several sources: my Lord, my wife, my friends, my heart, and my desire to bring love and joy to others”.

He said that his art teacher in high, Betty Anderson, is the person who convinced him that he was an artist. “She also taught me more about art than anyone else. I loved her dearly and was very sad when she passed on”, commented Glen.

Glen Violi was a student at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh for two years but said that commercial art was not for him.

“I recently entered my first art show, the All Kentucky Juried Art Show with ArtWorks. I didn’t win anything, but I really enjoyed the experience and felt honored to have my works displayed with so many other talented people” he said.

When I met my wife for the first time a couple of years ago, I was painting a Harley Davidson for a friend. She saw some of my work here at my home and asked me, as she shook my hand, “Who are you selling yourself to?” That was my wake up call to get busy and stop wasting what talent God had given me.

Glen leaves us with these words: “I hope when I die and go to Heaven, God looks at me and says, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.’ That is my goal. Jesus loves all of us and I want to serve him well”.

About the author: Ronnie Jaggers is a seasoned sculptor, fine artist and master crafter. Her work can be seen on ChiseledFeaturesStudio.webs.com. She reminds other artists “Trust the beauty of your art, for if you see the beauty, others will too.” To be considered for the featured artist call Ronnie at 791-3505 or email ChiseledFeaturesStudio@yahoo.com