My family and I immigrated to the United States from Arnara, Italy in 1955.
My artistic journey began then, at the age of seven, as I was unable to speak the language of my new land and found my means of communication and self expression to be through the arts.My mother and father encouraged and supported my interests from the very beginning, both working long hours at local factories, in difficult jobs, in order to nurture my talents.I am forever indebted to them for their kindness, dedication, and support.They always demonstrated a boundless love to my brother, Mario, and me.I honor my parents, Domenico and Grazia Salati.I began my professional journey with fiber arts, clay, and precious metals, but was ultimately always drawn back to painting, the language of my heart.
I paint in a variety of styles, sizes, and mediums.My first major work arose from a specific event: the massacre of a Native American tribe.The theme of this body of work was a study of the energy and forces present in the “passing” of spirits.Illustrations from these paintings are included in a book entitled A Tribe Returned.
