Paola Mini, cre-active, fair-situationist, eco-libertarian, observer
sometimes painter, illustrator, graphic designer, writer, communicator, yogini and so on
In my life, I have created thousands of images, both independently and collaborating with agencies, publishers, private individuals, independent and self-production companies
The largest amount of my production took place in the field of children’s publishing, in libertarian activism, in the iconography connected with yoga
I love to share projects that contribute to a more beautiful, harmonious, sincere and fair world
Freedom, Awareness, Knowledge, Spontaneity, Passion, Creation. Inventing images, things, reasoning, situations to look, to listen, to read, to live, to rejoice, to love.
Ideals and practices of brotherhood with the living, guarantee of individual sense and collective insulation. Traveling between the horizons of sincere and meaningful communication within relationships of mutual solidarity. expansion of awareness, of the genuine unfolding of individual and social potential.
I dedicate myself to the study and practice of libertarian culture, yoga, meditation. It is from these experiences and paths that I draw inspiration and motivation for my creative work.
SKILLS
- Classical drawing and painting techniques
- Ancient techniques with mineral and natural pigments (such as vegetable pigments, hard stones, gold etc.)
- Restoration
- Urban decoration, murals
- Digital vector and bitmap illustration
- Digital graphics and prepress
- Photography and photographic post production
- Teaching in drawing, painting, art history, aesthetics courses
ABOUT MY STUDY
1987 High school artistic diploma. 1991 Diploma in Painting, Albertina Academy of Fine Arts
1991 -1996 Studies and cultural exchanges, of particular educational importance, the visit of European museums and trips to India and Nepal, including the apprenticeship in the workshop of Gega Lama (Kathmandu, Nepal), reference artist of the Karma Gadri style of iconography Tibetan tantric, at Lama Shedrub (Kalimpong India). and the valuable information of the meditation master and painter Drugu Choegyal Rinpoche.
My formative experiences were my travels in Asia and participation in collective projects in various fields of applied arts and communication, the attendance of honest and talented artists, including Francesco Partipilo, Elidoro Amedeo Cosimo Giorgino and Annalisa Zambelli, and the enrichment resulting from years of constant work.
THANGKA AND TRADITIONAL BUDDHIST ICONOGRAPHY
I have dedicated a few years of my life to the study of thangka painting, that is, Buddhist icons of the Himalayan tradition, assimilating rigorous principles and developing a personal style, more suitable for Western sensitivity, but in compliance with traditional prescriptions. I currently paint these icons mostly by order.
Reproductions of some of these works are on sale at the DakiniasArt website.
DECORATION and RESTORATION
Participation in pictorial restoration sites, murals for local and private individuals, collaboration in various projects related to room decorations with different muralist techniques.
- participation in a large project relating to the decorations of the “Gonpa di Merigar”, Arcidosso GR.
- participation in decoration competitions in Restructura, (Turin Lingotto).
- murals in private residences.
EXHIBITIONS
1982 – Associazione culturale Circolo Barale (Savona), Collective exibition.
1996 – C.S. Grugliasco (Torino), project “Grunt” exposition with Eliodoro Amedeo Cosimo GIorgino.
1998 – Comune di Verbania, “DiSegnoInSegno”, mostra d’illustrazione per l’infanzia organizzata da “Il Battello a Vapore”, Collective exibition.
2003 – 1° premio Concorso “Imagina” Grafichissima, il sito italiano della grafi ca 2D e 3D.
ANIMATION and DIDACTICS
Animation activities for children on behalf of the Municipality of Turin.
Painting seminar for the Children’s Museum, Palazzo Pubblico, Siena.
Creative workshops for the disabled (Turin).
DIDACTIC TRADITIONAL ICONOGRAPHY HIMALAYAN BUDDHIST
Conferences at the Academy of Fine Arts of Carrara and at events organized by the Dzogchen Community Cultural Association.
Teaching of drawing and painting, especially traditional Himalayan Buddhist iconography in collaboration with the Shang Shung Institute and the International Dzog Chen Community in courses that took place in Rome, Arcidosso (Grosseto), Tenerife (Spain) and privately at my studio.
ACTIVISM
I participate in the spread of the libertarian culture of self-production and self-management, in the criticism of the system and the destruction of the natural environment camouflaged by “technological progress”, and the social environment camouflaged by “economic growth”.
I collaborate with publishers, magazines, and groups that deal with radical criticism in the cultural, social and ecological fields. I, therefore, participate in information (or counter-information) on causes and possible remedies for discomfort and current socio-bio-eco-environmental degradation with illustration, graphics, writing, promotion, and conduct of debates, self-produced popular material including Nautilus Edizioni, Fenix Edizioni, Radioblackout, Istrixistrix, Senzaguinzaglio, magazines “Polvere” and “Il Folletto”.
In 2008 I wrote and published the book Sorvegliato Mentale (Mental Supervised), ed. Nautilus.
From 2004 to 2009 I conceived and conducted radio broadcasts at the free radio station Radioblackout (Turin): Peste & Corna (situationist cabaret program of cultural defeatism); Stato Terapeutico (Therapeutic State) Criticism of the medicalization of the existing); Qualcuno volò sul nido del cuculo (Someone flew over the cuckoo’s nest. Radical criticism of psychiatry in collaboration with Tristano Aimone); La fattoria degli Animali (Animal Farm, analysis of social cooperatives with Riccardo Borgogno).
YOGA
Since 1988 I study meditative and yogic disciplines. Since 2013 I share the knowledge acquired about self-management of health by teaching therapeutic Hatha Yoga and a conscious lifestyle in defense of the scientist dehumanization in vogue.
COLLABORATIONS in ILLUSTRATION and GRAPHICS
Agencies:
- Bluedit servizi per l’editoria (Torino)
- MIA, Milan Illustration Agency (Milano)
- Studio Light (Torino)
- Studio Ariberto (Milano)
- Studio Daniela Lucchini (Varese)
- Studio Aurion (Milano)
- Studio Eidos (Torino)
- Edibit servizi per l’editoria (Torino)
- Studio Grafico Key (Torino)
- Studio Direct Marketing Team (Torino)
Publishers:
- Clementoni gioco educativo (Recanati, MC)
- Mattel Ficher-Price (Mondadori Milano)
- Edizioni Cetem (Milano)
- Istituto Italiano Edizioni Atlas (Bergamo)
- Nicola Milano Edizioni (Bologna)
- Piemme Edizioni (Casale Monferrato, Alessandria)
- Ed Il Capitello Signum Scuola (Torino)
- Lang edizioni, Paravia Bruno Mondadori Editore (Milano)
- RCS edizioni (Milano)
- La spiga Edizioni (Milano)
- Shang Shung Edizioni (ora integrate nell’ Istituto Shang Shung, Arcidosso – GR)
- Ubaldini Editore (Roma)
- The Mirror (Massachusetts – U.S.A.)
- Station Hills Press (New York)
- Ed. Psiche (Torino)
- Ed. Fenix (Torino)
- Nautilus Edizioni (Torino)
- Independent or self-managed associations and groups in the production of books, brochures, brochures, stickers, posters.
PUBLICATIONS LIST
Activism illustration
- 2003 “Le scarpe dei suicidi” di Tobia Imperato, Ed. Autoproduzioni Fenix. Cover, layout, photo post production, photomontages, graphic design.
- 2008 “Sorvegliato Mentale”, di Paola Minelli, Ed Nautilus, Torino. Project, text, graphics and cover by Paola Minelli.
- 2012 “Il Crepuscolo delle Macchine”,di John Zerzan, Ed Nautilus, Torino. Cover.
- 2015 “Prospettive Antindustriali”,del Collettivo Editoriale delle Éditions de la Roue, Ed Nautilus, Torino. Cover.
- 2019 “Critica al Transumanesimo”, Autori Vari, Ed Nautilus, Torino. Cover.
Childhood illustration
- 1998 “Frammenti di Sole”, 2 volumes , Ed Cetem, Milano.
- 1998 “Pensieri e parole”, 3 volumes , Ed Cetem, Milano.
- 1999 “Scritto per te”, 3 volumi, Atlas Ed, Bergamo.
- 2000 “Sapientino Prime Parole, refil”, gioco educativo, Clementoni.
- 2000 “Come un nuovo gioco”, 3 volumes , Nicola Milano Ed. Bologna.
- 2001 “A come Avventura”, 2 volumes , Piemme Ed. (Casale Monferrato, AL).
- 2002 “Luna Rossa e Tanti Amici” 3 volumes , Ed Il Capitello Signum Scuola (Torino).
- 2002 “Il Mondo Magico delle Parole”, 3 volumes , Piemme Ed. (Casale Monferrato, AL).
- 2003 “Il nouvo leggere per… leggere” volumes 3 e 4, Piemme Ed.(Casale Monferrato, AL).
- 2005 “Ciao Birba” volumes 1, 2 e 3, Istituto Italiano Edizioni Atlas (Bergamo).
- 2005 “Moving On”, volumes 1 e 2, Lang edizioni, Paravia Bruno Mondadori editore (MI).
- 2005 “Super Mini Club”, volumes 3, 4, 5, Lang edizioni, Paravia Bruno Mondadori editore (MI).
- 2005 “Mini Club Starter”, stickers, Lang edizioni, Paravia Bruno Mondadori editore (MI).
- 2005 “Amico Sole”, RCS edizioni (MI).
- 2005 “Scopro, Conosco, Imparo”, Istituto Italiano Edizioni Atlas (Bergamo).
- 2005 “Io Progetto” cl4a, Atlas Ed, (BG).
- 2006 “Linguaggi Espressivi, Guida per l’insegnante, ” vol 1, 2, 3 Juvenilia edizioni (MI).
- 2006 “Cuccioli” Piemme Ed.(Casale Monferrato, AL).
- 2006 “Melazzurra”, edizioni Il Capitello (TO).
- 2006 “Oplà”, vol 3, RCS edizioni (MI).
- 2010 “Regole e Formule”, 5 volumes , La Spiga edizioni (MI).
- 2010 “Quaderni di Rinforzo”, 3 volumes, La Spiga edizioni (MI).
- 2011 – 2014 “Illustrazioni per fiabe, lavoretti e giochi per il sito noinonni.it
Illustration Knowledge disciplines (Dharma) **
** where the publisher is not mentioned, the Shang Shung Edizioni, Arcidosso, Grosseto is always valid.
- 1993 T. Wangyal, “Wonders of the natural mind” Station Hills Press, New York, ripubblicato nel 2000 dalla Snow Lion pubblication, New York e nel 1994 nella traduzione italiana: “I miracoli della Mente Naturale, Ubaldini Editore (Roma) .
- 1993 Pratica di lunga vita della Dakini Mandarava (ink on parchments).
- 1994 Il libro delle mudra (cover and about 100 ink illustrations).
- 1994 Lungta (cover– ink).
- 1994 Calendario legno cane (cover– ink).
- 1995 Le quattro contemplazioni del Semdè (cover– ink).
- 1995 Kumar Kumari Yantra (cover– ink).
- 1995 Il settimo logiong (cover– ink).
- 1995 Sfogliando la cipolla (cover– ink).
- 1995 La pratica del Namkha (cover– ink).
- 1996 Santi Maha Sangha Pratiche preliminari della base (cover– ink).
- 1996 La pratica del Sang (cover– ink).
- 1996 In Tibet (cover– ink).
- 1996 Il Vajra (cover– ink).
- 1996 Commento alla Nave Preziosa (cover– ink).
- 1996 Commento al Nondro (cover– ink).
- 1996 Come suonare il damaru nella pratica del Chod (cover– ink).
- 1996-2001 Illustrazioni sulla medicina tradizionale tibetana commissionate dall’Istituto Shang Shung.
- 1997 Calendario toro fuoco (cover– ink).
- 1997 Il canto dell’energia (cover– ink).
- 1997 Il rushen esterno e la pratica dei Sei Loka. (cover– ink, interior color illustration, mixed media).
- 1997 La collana degli Zi (cover – pencils contè).
- 1997 La pratica del Narag Tongtrug (cover – ink).
- 1997 Commento al Narag Tongtrug (cover – ink).
- 1997 Padmasambhava, “Consapevolezza” Ed. Psiche, Torino (cover, Acrylic on canvas, thangka).
- 1998 Calendario tigre terra (cover – ink).
- 1998 Quattro invocazioni dello Dzog Chen (cover – ink).
- 1998 Pratica di lunga vita e Chudlen di Mandarava commento (inner illustration – mixed technique on paper).
- 1998 Thich Nhat Hanh “Imparo dalle storie. Il bambù della luna”, Ed. Psiche, Torino (illustrations – ink).
- 1999 “Imparo dalle storie”, Tich Nhat Hanh, Ed Psiche, Torino. (Illustrations, Inks).
- 1999 Calendario lepre terra (cover – ink).
- 1999 The pratice of long life on the Dakini Mandarava (inner illustration – ink).
- 1999 Namkha (ink illustrations).
- 1999 Canti dall’ospedale e altre poesie (cover-vector digital).
- 1999 Chod, opuscolo (cover – ink).
- 1999 CNN, “Pratica di lunga vita e Chudlen di Mandarava” (cover, mixed media on paper) Painting also published as an illustration on other books: 1999 The pratice of long life on the Dakini Mandarava Le pratiche degli Tzalung di Mandarava, 2007 (eng) 2008 (ita).
- 2000 CNN, “Commento al canto del Vajra” (icona, copertina-digitale vettoriale).2001 “Calendario serpente metallo” (cover-ink).
- 2000 CNN, Introduzione diretta allo stato dell’Atiyoga (digital vector cover), illustration also published on the cover of the 8-volume series“Longsal”(2002-2008).
- 2001 CNN, Insegnamenti sul Longde, (inks pg 48, 66, 67).
- 2001 CNN, Lo Yoga di Arya Tara, (ink pg 24).
- 2001 CNN, Chod, book (ink pg 81). ).
- 2002 CNN, Dzogčhen, Přirozeně dokonalý stav. Nakladatelství DharmaGaia, Praha (Praga) 2002 (Cover. Thangka: mineral and vegetals colors on canvas).
- 2002 La biografia del grande maestro Padmasambhava ( Cover. Thangka: acrylic on canvas); painting also published in 2005 in “The Life of Padmasambhava”.
- 2004 CNN, Insegnamenti su Lojong, Rushen e Semzin (pg 61 ink).
- 2005 CNN, Illustrations in the CD Green Tara. Inks.
- 2010 CNN, Rainbow Body (illustration cover – digital painting).
- 2011 CNN, Jnana Dakini (digital ink).
- 2011 Calendario lepre metallo (cover-ink plus digital color)
Knowledge disciplines (Dharma) magazines
2011 CNN, Jnana Dakini (digital ink).2011 Calendario lepre metallo (cover-ink plus digital color)
From 1993-2011 The Mirror, Magazine (Massachusetts – U.S.A.).
From 1992 Merigar letter magazine.
Other illustrations and graphics
- 1996 Enzo Terzano “Materialismo estetico e arte spirituale” Diomedea Ed. (GR). Cover.
- 2004 Progetto di collaborazione internazionale di aiuti umanitari: “Para defenderse de los terremotos haj que saber the ellos” Cover.
- 1990-2020Logos, signs, brochures, posters, posters, brochures, graphics and layout for associations and private.
- 1990-2020 IIllustrations for associations and private.
- 1990-2010 Illustrazione per Plasmon, Ferrero, Nikon, FisherPrice and other information or advertising campaigns.