In 1960 he entered Milan’s Academy of Brera where he perfected his talent for painting nudes. In the two years he studied at the Academy, he came under the influence of the Pre-Raphaelites and Macchiaioli.
From 1960 to 1979, Pino’s work appeared in several major exhibitions throughout Italy and Europe. Pino was also commissioned by Italy’s two largest publisher’s, Mondadori and Rizzoli, for book illustrations. However, Pino felt restricted in Milan, and seeking more artistic freedom, he emigrated in 1970 to the United States under the sponsorship of Borghi Gallery, where he held several shows in New York and Massachusetts.
However, his early life in America was a struggle because his sponsorship barely allowed him to feed his family; his English was limited and his means of transportation was a bicycle. After knocking on many doors, in February of 1980, he was offered a job of doing a book cover by personnel of “Zebra Books Publishers”. He received praise for an interpretation that was new, fresh and sensual. Stylistically, he brought the characters into the foreground where his technique and talent for painting the anatomy was celebrated.
His illustrations were so successful, that he gained entrée into creative relationships with many leading publishers of romance novels. His popularity grew within the literary community and he became the artist-in-demand for Zebra, Bantam, Simon and Schuster, Harlequin, Penguin USA and Dell.
From 1980 to 1993 he dedicated himself totally to this art where his style dominated and influenced the market. His illustrations combined elements fresh from Europe with a powerful sensuality, bringing this medium to new heights. Although Pino devoted 13 years to illustrating book covers, he never abandoned his desire to return to fine art. His desire to create pieces that emerge free from outside restrictions motivated him to find the time to devote himself to fine art again.
In 1993, Pino contacted a major gallery. He sent out five paintings, which were well received, launching him into a new arena. Pino finally found the freedom he always desired; to explore the profundity of his talents without restraint and since then has been producing works of a highly romantic nature with a unique and innovative touch.
Exploring the depths of his experiences, he puts on canvas subjects that embody life’s simple pleasures. These works have a veil of nostalgia and the characters have subtle suggestions of complexity. Dressed in soft flowing fabrics, the colors of their garments in relation to the sea, sand, sky and sun elicit feelings of warmth, a perception of preciousness and a notion of an uncomplicated world. Reminiscent of his childhood environment, Pino’s paintings are generally set in coastal, sunny and vibrantly floral places.
