Portrait Perfect
Daytime stars have often been described as picture perfect, but up-and-coming artist Ludovico Marenzi has decided to make them portrait perfect. Marenzi recently worked with current and former DAYS OF OUR LIVES cast members, along with other actors from various soaps, and is featuring them in his new exhibit, “Soap Stars.”
Marenzi chose to feature daytime actors because “I wanted to do a group of people that I thought were highly influential people in American culture. I couldn’t think of anyone who was more influential than daytime soap stars. They have an enormous following,” he explains. “And these people are really underappreciated in what they are doing.”
Working with soap stars proved to be quite interesting says Marenzi, “asking the actors not to smile and look directly into the camera did produce some awkward moments. Most people are used to presenting their best side or a smile that hides any sense of a true emotion.”
But not flashing their signature grins brought out beautiful results and a side of the actors many viewers have never seen. They provided “a revealing look into people’s hearts where they have no script to follow or cues to react to.”
The actors included in the exhibit are: Nadia Bjorlin (Chloe, DAYS), Patrika Darbo (ex-Nancy, DAYS), Kevin Spirtas (ex-Craig, DAYS), Jay Kenneth Johnson (ex-Philip, DAYS), Lisa Rinna (ex-Billie, DAYS), Galen Gering (Luis, PASSIONS), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis, GENERAL HOSPITAL), Maeve Quinlan (Megan, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL), Kimberlin Brown (Paige, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Shelia, B&B), Kate Linder (Esther, Y&R), Jon Lindstrom (ex-Kevin, PORT CHARLES), and Ty Treadway (ex-Colin/Troy, OLTL).
Marenzi’s paintings will be on display when the exhibit opens on Dec. 11 at the Pasadena Museum of California Art (www.pmcaonline.org). Admission is free for the public and stars alike. For more information on the talented artist, visit www.lmarenzi.com.
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