Allow me to introduce a fellow artist I have had the the privilege of knowing for over 18 years! He too uses art as a creative outlet. But why should I tell you about his awesomeness you can read it below!
- Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m Donnie Cianciotto – I’m an actor living in my hometown of NYC with my wonderful wife, Rebecca, and our 3 cats. I went to the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, and have performed in various venues throughout NYC including 54 Below, The Cutting Room, le poisson rouge, and made my off-Broadway debut last season in the NY Times Critic’s Pick “Southern Comfort” at The Public Theater. I’m a singer, cabaret performer, and improv comedian, and I am also a transgender man and trans rights advocate and activist. I believe that visibility and representation is important in de-stigmatizing the transgender community, and I’m happy to use my art and my platform to do that. I’m also a hell of a good cook. - When did you catch the creative bug?
I’ve been a performer since I was three years old and hit the stage in my first dance recital, but it was only the last year or so where I branched out into visual arts and actually started to make things with my hands. My wife is an incredible artist, and on one of our first dates she introduced me to alcohol ink painting on yupo paper, and I’ve been pretty hooked ever since. - What does “being creative” mean to you?
To me it means giving back to the community, making things for other people to enjoy whether it’s jewelry, paintings, or playing a character. - How would you describe your art and/or process?
There’s a lot of making things up as I go and experimenting with different styles, techniques, materials, etc. Sometimes it’s purely for the fun of it, and other times it’s an outlet for however I happen to be feeling at the moment. - What has been your favorite thing to create or style to create?
Definitely alcohol ink paintings, particularly on yupo. It’s a very intuitive experience for me, and one I took to kind of naturally. Sometimes the art is in control, sometimes I am. Sometimes I make the art, sometimes it makes itself. It’s always fun, and interesting to see what happens as my skills develop over time. - Name a craft product you can’t live without?
E6000. That has nothing to do with painting, and more to do with everything else. That stuff is hardcore. I’ve used it to stone many costumes with swarovski crystals and other embellishments. - If there were a magic power you could use in your art making, what would it be?
Always magically having the money for any product I required. That would be nice. - Any advice for those out there who think art is too hard?
“Art” isn’t just any one thing. You don’t have to sit down at a canvas with a brush and paint a landscape to be an “artist.” Some folks might be amazing at that, but some folks are fantastic at sculpting things out of trash, or decorating wedding cakes, or creating multi-media presentations. I think anything you’re interested in is worth trying.
Here are some the examples of his creativeness!
- If we wanted to learn more about you and your art where can we go? You can find me on Etsy, of course, @ etsy.com/shop/thatartsyguydesigns, and you can also follow me on Instagram @thedonniecianciotto. For theater related info, you can find me at donniecianciotto.weebly.com, or facebook.com/donniecianciottoactor.
