Art Chowder May | June 2018, Issue 15 | Page 10

“My focus is on relationships. That’s what life is about. I want my art to connect with people.” K nown for his paintings of cows and horses, Paliotto has recently been motivated to paint 4-H animals his children are working with, such as pigs and chickens. Though he draws inspiration from the outdoors, his paintings are also metaphoric. “This isn’t beauty for beauty’s sake. I have more to say.” A recent painting of two draft horses, titled In All Weather, features a male horse standing straight with his blinders on. He is focused. Dark clouds, threatening to storm, approach from the distance. Puddles of water on the road tell of a respite between weather systems. Despite being bridled and connected to a wagon, a smaller female horse, with softer features and blinders, leans into the male. This represents Paliotto’s relationship with his wife. “When I’m so rigid — she loves me in all weather.” 10 ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE