On Wednesday, I attended an art exhibit reception for Nicholas Carbonaro, a local artist and the current Rose House Fellow. I went in not knowing really what his style of art was or exactly what I’d see but was very pleasantly surprised.

In the Rose dining hall on the back wall holds pieces of Nicholas’ work. He uses sharp lines and bold contrasting colors to create many different portraits. One in particular stood out to me. It was a self-portrait he painted of how he felt he looked like after a reconstructive surgery. The nose is overly-pinched. One eye is squinted far more than the other. The entire face looks gaunt. The background was filled with bold colors. Long hair was in disarray all around. It was wild. Free. Careless. Yet showed show much talent and work.

His message with all of his art is resonating. Those moments when you don’t care are the best ones. They show the true you. Your posed picture face isn’t what you look like. That moment you are mid cough: eyes squinting, hand raised to your nose, mouth slightly open. That is the moment that is great. Don’t focus on just a posed beautiful version of yourself. Every version is beautiful and find humor in everything.

Thank you Nicholas for coming to show us your work!