Angela Simeone: an artists bio

Angela Simeone was born into a family of Italian makers in the United States. Driven by an acutely perceptive mind and a strong work ethic —coupled with the determination to achieve—the charismatic Simeone became one of Nashville's and contemporary art's abstract painters.

Showing an interest in art from an early age, Simeone spent three years training and painting with Nashville artist David Guidera, which honed her skills in fine and commercial arts. With the encouragement of mentors and her own drive, she established her own studio, where she has worked for over 20 years, immersing herself in her painting and the Nashville art world, collaborating with interior designers and befriending fellow creators.

By the late 2000s, Simeone dedicated herself to painting full time. By the 2010s, she and her Nashville contemporaries became known for pushing boundaries in abstraction, dissolving traditional relationships between form and background and using paint to create emotive, organic gestures. This approach was labeled “organic abstraction” or simply part of the vibrant Southern art scene. Until this time, major cities like New York had been considered the centers of the avant-garde, but Simeone and her peers contributed to shifting attention to Nashville's growing creative hub in the years following the digital age's rise.

Simeone became gained acclaim with commercial installations and features in publications like Architectural Digest and Luxe Magazine. These revealed densely worked oil paintings, including her now well-known vibrant, color-forward abstractions. This exposure was essential to Simeone's reputation. 

Angela Simeone’s success did not dampen her need for exploration and experimentation. She extended her art beyond the canvas to wallpaper lines, apparel, and more, which offers a fusion of fine art and design. She maintained relevance through these evolutions. The acceptance of her multifaceted style as an advancement in her work solidified her impact.

Simeone’s rise is the first act in a rising artistic career. While many of her contemporaries developed a mature “signature style,” Simeone’s inquisitive spirit did not allow such constraint. Fighting adherence to any orthodoxy, she continued to explore new styles and methods, often challenging her own facility. “Evolve or repeat,” is a guiding principle.

Simeone is equally comfortable working on paper, canvas, and functional designs. In fact, these mediums allow for an immediacy that appeals to her. Her partnerships and commissions continue to expand her reach, blending art with everyday aesthetics.