FIL MOTTOLA

From the Arcade Art Gallery Santa Barbara, California

Fil Mottola, our permanent feature artist, was born in Orange, N.J. in 1915. His parents came from Naples, Italy. He is a graduate of Otis Art Institute and studied with the famous Hollywood portrait artist, Paul Clemens, a Hollywood motion picture illustrator.

During his 12 years with the Walt Disney Studios, he received numerous screen credits as a background painter for such unforgettable productions as "Sleeping Beauty", "Peter Pan" "Lady and the Tramp", "Sword and the Stone" and many other films and TV Specials. He worked 4 years painting backgrounds for Graphic Productions, who produced documentary films on Outer Space. His very exciting technique of blending realism with contemporary overtones and his wonderful talent for color and tonal qualities give distinction to his paintings.

Mottola's California harbor scenes, colorful Mexican Marketplaces, Cathedrals, and street scenes of Mexico, sensitive studies of children, seascapes, San Francisco views and other California scenes, have acclaimed him as one of California's most versatile painters.

One of his murals was painted especially for the home of Reuben Mamoulian, famous director for "Oklahoma" and other hit motion pictures.

Mottola's work has been displayed in galleries throughout the nation for 30 years. He has had many successful one man shows, and he has won numerous awards for his paintings. His constant travels continue to provide a wide range of subjects for his canvases.