Rossella Ballerini's artistic journey began in her birthplace of Florence, Italy.

From pencil to oil. From paper to canvas. Rossella doesn't worry about making art to sell. She makes art to create. It's a very different approach she says. Ballerini's art is defined by emotions. Not by rules. "My work is pretty raw. I've known a lot of pain and a lot of joy and I use it all.”

Opera singer Luciano Pavarotti lived in the same town as her mother. He was a big fan of Ballerini's art and predicted that one day she would be "up there."

Ballerini believes art inspires people to go on . . . ."

The Secret Room was inspired by very wealthy people in a room speaking about things she wanted to hear but could not.

Her work can be found privately thru various galleries and exhibitions in the US, Italy, and abroad.

The Secret Room
pastel on paper

2009 Award