Having been a lover of the arts all her life, Cionia never thought of dedicating herself to produce any work but a couple of years ago when recovering from surgery she began painting in the hospital. Knowing that she would need something to keep her busy, instead of flowers, her daughter Valeria gave her a watercolor set. During that time Cionia taught herself to paint, starting with works depicting all of the flower arrangements sent by friends and family. An avid painter since then, she works four to six hours a day. Often completing a work or two a day, her production is abundant. She is part of the tradition of self-taught painters who start exploring their visual language later in life.

Cionia was raised, between the two World Wars, in Trieste, Italy, an international city bordering on the former Yogoslavia. She grew up in the Central European and Italian cultural tradition and then moved to Boston, following the demands of her husband’s career, but she herself continued her professional life teaching and doing research in physics after receiving another degree, became a psychotherapist. At home she was a wife and a mother.

Cionia paints a wide array of subject matter that she finds both from life and in photographs. This exhibition focuses on works that address the origins of her artistic discovery, her still life and flower pieces. Other subjects tend to reflect her personal milieu and interests; animals, mountain landscapes, marine scenes with boats and architecture.

Cionia is drawn to form and color, but does not make them dramatic elements in her work. This softer handling of the media reflects the gentle nostalgia underlying the work. She is most inspired by her memories of home and months traveling in a sailboat with her husband. Both reflect her love of family and fascination with the geography and cultures of the world.

Artists Statement
The company of my friends and family always brought me joy, but when I am alone, painting is a form of meditation: I love to focus on the sublime beauty of the things I see in nature, I take refuge in these thoughts and my spirit becomes part of the beauty. I disappear and a creative flow comes through; any stress is left behind and I find peace and serenity. Not only is painting a way to communicate my feelings, but it is a healing process and I hope that others can experience here a similar sense of inspiration and comfort.