Loli DiSanto
Fort Myers-based artist, Loli DiSanto, leaves a little sparkle everywhere she goes. Her works are an outward expression of her most treasured memories and innermost thoughts.
Loli’s remembrances of her early career as a competitive figure skater (a world characterized by neon, glitz, and the most glamorous aspects of pop culture) are informed by her insights that one’s own sparkle comes from an individual’s inner beauty and happiness.
Loli’s hand-crafted jeweled egg sculptures, each individually created, custom-designed, colorfully painted, and meticulously studded with thousands of crystals. No two pieces are the same, either in color or pattern. And each is fashioned to leave the owner with a profound sense of wonder, whimsy, and delight. Loli believes each unique sculpture generates a visceral response that is nothing less than “sparkle-licious!”
Q: Tell us a little bit about your upbringing and how that inspired your artistic career.
A: I was a competitive figure skater growing up. All of my competitive costumes were custom-made, and often times my mom would be the one beading my dresses with thousands of rhinestones and sequins. My flare for sparkle started then and stayed with me the rest of my life.
When my daughter started preschool, I tinkered with jewelry making. I started stringing precious and semi-precious stones together and ended up learning to create stone settings, soldering, and was beginning to learn CAD design when I stumbled upon painting, which brings us to today, ten years later.
My work now is a culmination of all of the things I have done since I was a little girl and truly reflects my personality. My egg sculptures start with a paper mache base, I then pencil sketch out a pattern, paint the entire piece, and then work in sections over approximately one week’s time embellishing the egg with fine crystals. Depending on the pattern, each piece consists of anywhere from ten to twelve thousand crystals.
Q: Why did you pursue an artistic or creative career?
A: It wasn’t a choice; I would not be complete if I wasn’t creative. Maybe I didn’t study art in any formal capacity, but I have always used the creative process as an outlet. Whatever spare time I had outside of skating and school, I would find solace in making sparkly Keds shoes for myself and my coaches. I crave the process and the quiet time creating and figuring things out is a version of meditation for me. It makes me happy.
Q: What role has risk-taking played in your life or career?
A: I think taking risks has played a very big part in my life and career. I’ve always been the type of person to make bold moves. I took a huge risk leaving my profession to stay home with my children and it turned out even better than I could have ever imagined. It was a leap of faith to move our family to Florida from Illinois, and that lead me to find my true passion in life…art! With that same train of thought, it was a very big risk to focus on art, and not return to medicine. There have been some disappointments along the way, but in the end, all of them came with life lessons and ultimately, growth.
Q: Other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
A: It sounds a little silly and simple, but the decision to try, really try…try something new, revisit something you knew when you were younger with new eyes, etc. You never know what you are capable of until you make up your mind to do it and give it 150% of yourself. My daughter once told me that she admired the fact that I never give up, no matter what obstacles I encounter. I believe that being persistent is the single most important contributing factor to one’s own success
Q: Do you have a favorite quote or affirmation? What does it mean to you, and what do you like about it?
A: “It never hurts to ask” I am always telling my kids this. The world is full of possibilities, what is the worst that could happen? Ask someone’s opinion, ask for help, ask for a chance, ask yourself what you really want, etc. It really opens a whole new world of opportunity
Q: What do you want your legacy to be? What do you want people to remember about you?
A: That I sparkled from the inside. You can sparkle on the outside all you want, but does that necessarily reflect the person you are inside? I want to be known for both.
Loli DiSanto’s artwork is exhibited at East West Fine Art, in Mercato.
9115 Strada Place, #5155 Naples, Florida 34108.
www.eastwestfineart.com | info@eastwestfineart.com
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