As the famous saying goes, eyes are windows to the soul and no one captures this expression quite like pop surrealist painter, Rossella Paolini. Her large eyes, like liquid pools of sapphire and tigers eye, transport you to a vibrant surrealist world. There are an abundance of unique characters to meet in this place as genres swirl together merging into a collection of tales perfect for any bookshelf. One day, you may find yourself partaking in afternoon tea in the park with a unicorn companion by your side. The next, you’re off planet making friends with aliens from galaxies far, far away.
Maybe later, you’ll stop by a fair maidens apothecary to purchase some magical potions before encountering a queen riding atop a five-headed beast on your way home. No matter what you get up to here, there is always a magical warmth in Rossella Paolini’s storybook world of whimsy and wonder.
Rossella Paolini is an Italian painter and illustrator best known for her fantastical narrative works that emphasise themes of the occult, mythology, nature, legends and fairy tales, all created through a whimsical, pop surrealist lens. As a young girl, Rossella spent much of her youth exploring art galleries, museums, and archeological sites and was captivated by classic Disney movies and illustrated storybooks. Her passion would fuel her desire to hone her artistic skills which she accomplished as a student of famous Italian artist Renato Guttuso.
Moving into her adult life, Rossella began specializing in children’s illustration and has participated and won in a great many competitions across Italy and France. Alongside her painting work, she also works as an Art Director for various exhibitions, festivals and fairs that cater to the fantasy genre. Currently, Rossella is represented by Curio Art Gallery, Quirky Fox Gallery, Poetic Tiger Gallery, The Inverarity Gallery, and Hive Gallery and Studios.
Interview with Rossella Paolini
What is your first memory of art?
My first memory is from when I was two years old! My grandma always kept a pad and pencil in her purse for me and I would always be drawing little dolls with big eyes and curly hair!
Can you take us through a typical day in your life as a painter?
Every day, in the early afternoon, I go to my studio which is about a 15 minute walk from my house. I’ll usually stay there until late in the evening as my studio allows me to leave the noise of the city behind me and enter my magical world!
What has been inspiring you lately?
I have so many inspirations…depending on the themes proposed by the galleries in which I exhibit my works, ideas emerge and my research begins usually using many of the illustrated books that I’ve been collecting over the years! My next group show at Poetic Tiger Gallery in the US is about the fantasy world of Alice in Wonderland which is one of my favorite topics!
Your big, pop surrealist eyes are the thing that always grabs my attention when viewing your work. Would you consider eyes one of the most important features within your work?
Without a shadow of a doubt! I have always created my female figures with big eyes and everyone has always asked me why here in Italy. Luckily, I discovered American pop surrealism and started exhibiting in foreign galleries where they appreciated these disproportionate figures much more! I was enchanted by the work of this community of pop surreal artist who, like me, always paint big eyes and they helped me feel that I was no longer alone!
Mythology, legends and fairy tales are themes that run strongly throughout your work, what stories and characters are you most drawn to when painting?
I love the Goddesses of all ancient stories, especially those of ancient Egypt, Greece and the Celts! I prefer legends themed around mermaids, fairies, harpies and witches. Ever since I was a child I have always been entranced by the images included in classic fairy tale books so I always rejoice when I can paint and interpret them in my work.
Alongside your work as an artist you also have a role as an Art Director for various exhibitions focused on the fantasy genre. How have you found your role as an Art Director and how has your painting knowledge influenced how you approach this role?
I was an Art Director for a period of six years in my city in Trieste and in the surrounding regions near me! The role was proposed to me by a friend who was organising a festival and asked me to take charge of the artistic part. This was my first large collective fantasy themed exhibition and to top it all off, it was set in the wing of a medieval castle! I called more than thirty Italian painters, sculptors and photographers and it was a very challenging task but equally beautiful!
The last exhibition I organised was in a high altitude mountain lodge. It was funny to see the artists taking their work by cable car and was much appreciated by all the tourists who passed by! I believe that all the fantasy exhibitions that I’ve personally directed, looking for artists and examining their works, were all made possible thanks to my own experience visiting exhibitions within this genre alongside lots of reading, research and finding inspiration from watching lots of films!
I understand that you’ve always had a passion for visiting art galleries, museums and archaeological sites. Can you tell us about some of your favourite places to visit and why?
I still have that passion, my father passed it on to me! I was a little girl when he took me to the Louvre, I remember that we had been there for around four hours and the part with the glass pyramid had not yet been done! I would sit on the velvet sofas and contemplate those enormous and wonderful paintings. Pompeii in Naples was my first archaeological site, a city that emerged from the ashes of the volcano, beautiful and sad at the same time.
The exhibition that struck me most in recent years, so much so that I returned to it a second time, was that of the surrealist painter Leonor Fini in the art museum of my city. She had lived her youth in Trieste before moving to Paris. The exhibition displayed many of the original paintings and illustrations she’d done for the theater and told of her adventurous life full of inspiration, art and cats! Obviously, given the themes of my paintings, I love visiting museums of ancient civilizations and natural history museums, especially those on dinosaurs!!!
When you’re not painting, what do you get up to in your free time?
I enjoy long walks with the dog, in the woods, at the seaside or in the park near where I live, I also like staying at home with my family! I’m a fan of a lot films and TV series. I also love music but I usually listen to it when I paint! When I have time, I like to travel!
What can we see from you in 2025? Any exciting projects or upcoming exhibitions you can share with us?
Oh yes with pleasure, I have so many exhibitions with exciting themes!!!
I have a collective show in March at Curio Art Gallery, who I’ve collaborating with for a few years now, featuring the pompous and rococo royal portraits, alongside the ‘Through the Looking Glass’, a group show themed on the world of Alice in Wonderland at Poetic Tiger Gallery. I also have an upcoming mini solo show in Quirky Fox Gallery’s new location and a collective exhibition at Hive Gallery and Studios which is being transferred from their event in Los Angeles all the way to Japan which is very exciting! And I have much more planned for the future…I’m super happy!
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