Michael Balestrino downplays his painting, but his work commands immediate attention.
By PETER SCHWEITZER
Published June 21, 2004
[Times photo: Carrie Pratt]
The heat on Thursday kept Clearwater painter Michael Balestrino, 88, in the kitchen, rather than the screened porch that doubles as his studio. He learned to paint after leaving his job as internal auditor for the Federal Bureau of Prisons in 1974 by reading books on the subject and taking classes.
In his past life, he met some of the most infamous criminals to pass through the federal prison system.
His current life is considerably more peaceful.
As an internal auditor for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Michael Balestrino came into contact with them all.
"I met many of the most notorious criminals, including Machine Gun Kelly, Tokyo Rose, Axis Sally, Alger Hiss and Jimmy Hoffa."
Balestrino, 88, not only met them, he worked closely with some of them.
"I got to work for almost a straight week at Alcatraz with Machine Gun Kelly," he said. "Believe it or not, he was a real gentleman. When he was transferred to Leavenworth, he would inquire when I was coming to pay the prison a visit. He never killed anybody. His wife gave him a machine gun and that's how he got the nickname."
His career dealing with criminals belies his current hobby, painting. Balestrino speaks with pride about his new portrait but scoffs at the notion that he's an artist.
"I'm a Sunday painter that paints during the week," said the Clearwater resident. "An artist is someone who is trained and produces work for a living."
But the nonartist has won 15 awards for his paintings, the latest being best of show for Pippin at the 2004 Student Member Exhibition at the Dunedin Fine Arts Center on May 7.
Balestrino began pursuing his passion after leaving his career in 1974.
"While I was working in Washington, I would always go to the National Gallery of Art during my lunch hour," he said. "I read every how-to book there is written on the subject of painting."
By contrast, none of Balestrino's portraits depict any aspect of federal prison life. Rather, he prefers human portraits, city street scenes, or famous buildings. He even has a work dedicated to Sept. 11.
Balestrino's most recent award from the Dunedin Fine Arts Center was judged to be the best piece out of 106 member pieces submitted. Tina Basel Smith, owner of Arts at the Plaza in Belleair, served as judge.
"I was looking for good content and strong execution or control of the medium in judging the paintings," she said. "Pippin was done extremely well, great attention to detail. It was a very gifted portrait."
To hone his craft, Balestrino paints daily and still takes classes. "I get my ideas from magazines and from old buildings. I'm taking a class right now."
Balestrino has received instruction at the Dunedin Fine Arts Center and St. Petersburg College, as well as private instructors. He is a member of the Pinellas County Arts Council, Dunedin Fine Arts Center, Artists Internationale and the Creative Artists Guild.
Pippin did not come easily.
The portrait of a Renaissance-era woman is named for Balestrino's late wife, whose nickname was "Pippin," although the painting is not of her.
"The work was painstaking. A great amount of detail and precision went into the work," he said. "It took me longer than usual to complete this particular work."
According to Balestrino, many of his classmates marvel at the speed in which he paints.
"I explain that I don't have a lot of time left. I have to paint fast if I want to keep doing what I love."
His art has been influenced by such artists as da Vinci, Caravaggio, Rembrandt and Van Gogh.
"I enjoy working with oils since they are forgiving. You can make a mistake and paint right over your mistake."
A series of his paintings are part of Sheraton Inns' permanent art collection. Another painting of Michael the archangel hangs in a classroom at his church St. Michael the Archangel in Clearwater.
The heat on Thursday kept Clearwater painter Michael Balestrino, 88, in the kitchen, rather than the screened porch that doubles as his studio. He learned to paint after leaving his job as internal auditor for the Federal Bureau of Prisons in 1974 by reading books on the subject and taking classes.