Profile index

While in Junior High School Giovanni began painting in oil and watercolor. Exhibited his early works in school, local art centers and within the New York City Public Library system. Several paintings were sold. The first news article about his works appeared in the Staff News, New York Public Library, Vol. 52, 19 July 1962, No.29.

He was a graduate of the School of Fashion Industries, New York City, and later worked for several fashion firms in the City. He was later employed at the Tandy Leather and American Handicraft Co. in White Plains N. Y. as art and craft instructor; during this period Giovanni exhibited his leather carvings with Al Stohlman and received top ten honor award in New York State.

1966 to 1969. Although slotted as an mortar / infantryman, Giovanni was instead assigned to paint large scale murals because of his artistic civilian training. During his first assignment while stationed at Fort Ord, California he hand painted several murals including one depicting the U.S. Continental Army during the winter of 1776.

Later when stationed at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, 171 Inf. Bde. HHC 6BN. 9th Inf. Giovanni hand painted several other large scale murals inside military quarters, including designing combat training aids and charts. His last station of duty was at Fort Hood, Texas, HHC 3rd BDE 2 Armored Division. There he continued to hand paint large scale murals while also being assigned the duty of field topographer and brigade charts specialist.

In 1969 Giovanni was awarded by the military the Second Armored Division Certificate of Achievement. The award was personally presented by Major General Leonard C. Shea.

Studio history highlight: From the beginning work at the studio was diversified and Giovanni always strived to meet the need of the clients. These included interior designers, architects, commercial and government projects and private individuals.

Since 1962 numerous newspaper and magazine articles have been written about the artistic work accomplished by Giovanni Caliendo. His work has always been uniquely original while accommodating to the needs of custom designing. To date Giovanni specializes in a variety of related artistic fields such as: hand painted murals, trompe l'oiel panels; antique restoration and refinishing; custom painted tiles; hand crafted jewelry; inlays in precious metals, stone and ivory; stained glass windows; carvings in wood, stone and ivory; glass etching; tile mosaics; marbleizing; molds for metal and ceramics. Gold and silver leafing, and other related art fields. His work is by commission and permanently exhibited in public places as well as privately in several locations in the United States.

Vista Community Builders Inc. Boca Bay colony, Boca Raton, Florida - In private homes: several murals, custom painted tiles in pool, antique restorations, faux painted walls and gold leafing and wrought iron.

Holiday Inn, State Road #84, Fort Lauderdale, Florida - Three dimensional murals on two facing walls measuring 7' X 35' ea.; stained glass panels on movable tracks measuring 11' X 7' each.

Seagate Cub and Hotel, Delray Beach, Florida - Restoration of its original woodwork in bar area and lobby.

Gulf Stream Gulf Club, Gulf Stream, Florida - This has been a constant restoration project since 1970. The club was originally built by Addison Mizner in the mid-20's and is registered as one of the historical buildings in the United States. In part some of the restoration includes fireplace mantles, furniture from various periods including a late 17th Century hand painted bench from a church in Cuba.

Mimi Hutchison Interiors, Mimi E.P. Hutchison, A.S.I.D. - Worked with Mimi Hutchison since 1970 and collaborated with her interior designs for many of the clients.

City Of Boynton Beach, Florida - The Public Library project: Two murals donated as part of the Boynton Library expansion; in the conference room depicting an early Florida scene; and in the children section highlighting favorite story book caricatures.

Awarded a Proclamation by the City of Boynton Beach during Giovanni Caliendo's Nigh for his creative contribution to the city's Public Library.

City of Fort Lauderdale, Florida / Sikes Tile Inc., Oakland Park, Florida - The Third Avenue Bridge River Walk Project: commissioned two hand painted ceramic tiles murals each measuring 9' x 14' installed on the bridge span support. Seen from the New River the first mural historically depicts Seminole Indians hunting alligators on Lake Mable - now Port Everglade; the second mural is that of a trading post scene that was once in the 1870's near the same site of the modern bridge.

Note: Newspaper articles have been written about these and other projects by Giovanni and copies of these are available upon request for research or reference.

GIOVANNI AT THE EASEL

Giovanni while in the process of finishing the oils painting titled, "Sage al Riposo."

Please click on the thumbnail above to see the newspaper articles and the snapshot of the studio below in the mid-60's.

Writings: Since 1985 Giovanni Caliendo has written several novels, short stories and poems for adult readers. In addition he has written and illustrated a number of children books. These titles will be available for downloading in the "Books and Illustration" section of his web site.

Publications: In January 1995 Giovanni became the Editor-in-Chief of the Embroiled News. This bimonthly publication gave the unpublished writers and poets a forum to express their ideas. The publication was profusely illustrated and well received by the public. The Embroiled News is now available for your entertainment on his web site.

Published works: "Posing the Nude Figure", a selection of more than 1,300 different poses. This publication was designed as an aid for posing models, artists and photographers. Each male and female pose is hand drawn in black ink and indexed on cards for quick reference. This publication is available for downloading in the "Books and Illustration" section of his web site.

Portraitist in oil paint and pastels:Since resuming to paint with oil colors on canvas in 1995 a number of realistic painting have been executed. Many are portraits and nudes in the tradition of the Old Masters. Giovanni's technique is similar to that of Bronzino and Caravaggio and makes good use of chiaroscuro, sfumatura and velatura. His work has been exhibited at the Boca Museum Artist Guild and purchased by private collectors. A selection of his paintings may be viewed on this web site or by appointment.

We have also added in this section a selection of early photographs including notes sent to us by our clients and celebrities.

This first group of photographs depicts in part his art experiences while in the military. Soon after his discharge from the military he exhibited extensively in art show. The van seen here was the first, and an eye catcher, drawing attention to the newly established studio.

01 City of Boynton Beach 02 City of Boynton Beach Proclamation 03 Don 04 Alfring 05 Repp

06 West 07 Schlemmer 08 Lico 09 J. Paul 10 J. R. Day 11 Marsha 12 Mimi 13 Sal & Jill

14 Delaney 15 Gardner 16 Motherwell 17 Motherwell 18 Campbell 19 Muckle 20 Power

Author copyright notice : This web site is © copyrighted, designed and created by Giovanni Caliendo.You may copy selected images for personal use but they may not be published in print or on the web without prior written consent. A word of caution, “Give credit where credit is due; receive permission before "lifting" anything from this web site.” For additional information read our Copyright and Legal Notices. Please DO NOT create links to our pages. Our web content changes frequently and you will quickly end up with dead links on your web site.


Ft. Hood, Tx.	1971 Delray Affair art show	1971 Delray Affair art show	Our first studio van

Johnny Carson	01 Johnny Carson letter 02 Johnny Carson TV Set
Luciano Pavarotti	01 Luciano Pavarotti note sketch 02 Luciano Pavarotti note 03 Luciano Pavarotti - Opera Madame Butterfly
Perry Como	01 Perry Como autographed note