Performance painter brings emotion to canvas
Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus will host Tom Varano's "Emotion Into Art" performance at noon on Tuesday in Swimmer Hall in the Williams Building. Admission is and open to the community.
Photo illustration provided by Tom Varano.
Tom Varano turns splatters and splotches of paint on plain, dark canvases into portraits in minutes.
Tom Varano, performance painter and photographer, will bring his high energy "Emotion Into Art" show to Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus on Tuesday.
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Performance painter Tom Varano creates unique portraits in minutes. Varano, also a photographer, is the founder of Varano Photography and “Emotion Into Art” performance painting shows.
Artist Tom Varano offers a simple philosophy for life – “Be yourself. Be creative. Follow your dreams and take chances. You never know what you might discover. Whatever your passion, do it with all of your heart.”
The performance painter and photographer uses his fingertips, palms and multiple brushes to paint portraits on 4-foot-by-5-foot canvases as part of his live show, where Varano creates a one-of-a-kind portrait in a matter of minutes.
Varano’s “Emotion Into Art” performances, choreographed to high energy music, stimulate the senses and take the audience on an exciting and suspense-filled journey as they witness Varano unleash his skills taking people into a world of art, inspiration and creativity.
With business locations in New York and Florida, Varano also crisscrosses the country with special performances for corporate events, charity fundraisers, colleges, weddings and private parties.
Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus will host Varano’s “Emotion Into Art” performance at noon on Tuesday in Swimmer Hall in the Williams Building. Admission is free and open to the community.
“What I love about my painting show, is the ‘wow’ factor it draws from the audience. But what really drives me to continue doing shows around the country is the message I’m able to bring to the students. My message is meant to encourage and inspire students. For some students, they know what they want to do and they are secure in what they want out of life, but for others, it can be a confusing and a disorienting time in their life. I know; I remember. Sometimes, a little affirmation and encouragement can make a world of difference,” Varano said.
Varano is referring to his own life experience as a computer science major in college.
“After the first semester, I realized it wasn’t a good fit. Although, I excelled at computer science in high school, I didn’t really like it in college. But, I was able to find what my true passion was. Enrolled in a photography class as an elective, I had discovered my future. After switching majors, it wasn’t long before I decided that I wanted to be a professional photographer.”
This was not a complete shock to Varano, who fell in love with the art of photography after his father gave him a camera at the age of 14 and encouraged him to see what he could do with it.
While still in college, Varano’s photography business was established. In two rooms of his childhood home that doubled as his ‘studio,’ Varano would take high school senior portraits.
During this period, Varano also connected with world renowned photographer Monte Zucker.
“I simply pursued him. Calling him, asking him for an opportunity to study with him. He appreciated my passion for learning and allowed me to carry his bags at weddings in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., where he was based. Alongside his team, I had the privilege to photograph million dollar weddings. As a mentor, he taught about classical portraiture.”
Varano also sought the tutelage of photographer Clay Blackmore.
“(He) taught me to use my natural energy to make people smile. I took the knowledge I learned back to my hometown to serve our local brides and clients. My career as a photographer was born,” said Varano.
Varano had never done much painting he said, until an old acquaintance encouraged him to watch YouTube videos of an artists named Denny Dent.
“Denny would speed paint to music-an energetic, amazing talent. I was skeptical, I will admit, but intrigued. So, I studied the videos over and over again. After countless hours of practice, encouragement and putting on what I call ‘sub-conscience blinders’ I focused in and to my surprise, I got it. I figured out how to paint. With the support of my wife and daughters, I was on my way into a new adventure,” he said.
Starting with a blank dark canvas, Varano begins his process of turning paint splatters and splotches into recognizable portraits and works of art in just minutes.
Varano Photography and “Emotion Into Art” performance painting fulfill the two strong passions he has in life–a love for art and a love for people.
“I’m able to use both as an artist. I’ve always loved making people feel beautiful through the art of photography-for them to see themselves as the masterpiece they truly are.”