ARTIST MAZZ
(see photo's below)
Our Featured Artist is Mark 'Mazz' Mazzarella. His Oil Paintings are collected worldwide and are known for their Palette knife work, Bold Brush Strokes & Extreme Depth. (A Mixture of Folk Art & Fine Art combined together). He first started selling his Art during the 1980's ....... MAZZ is a Purely Self-taught Artist whose influences were A.E. Backus, Harold Newton, Sam Newton, the Hudson River School artists. ( Mazz is not a Highwaymen). Mark used to Hunt & Trap during the 1970's "Growing up in the country, I received my first Shotgun in 1975. I used to check my traps early in the morning - then walk a few more miles to school". Although he doesn't hunt or trap anymore, He often Fishes at the Ft. Pierce Inlet, Jupiter Inlet & Surf fishing. Mazz has 2 College degrees; "I majored in Business Management, I Never took any Art courses at all - then one day I picked up a brush and painted like it was a Passion, like it was in my blood" About the same time he started painting, he also picked up a Pool Cue and become proficient at both. He viewed his passions of Painting & Playing Pool as being similar and said "It's Imagination, Technique and it's All in the Stroke" He won several trophies in billiards and practiced or played with Pool Champions, Steve Mizerak, Al Koklys and Ray Martin. Unfortunately a serious spinal injury stopped him from doing both.
BEANIE BACKUS - MAZZ used to visit him during the late 1980's where he received 'intense inspiration to paint Florida landscapes and clouds in a more vibrant manner'. "when I first became serious about painting, everyone told me that I must meet Beanie Backus, So I drove to his house. I was greeted by Beanie and several other people. It was much different than I expected. Everyone was very friendly and just hanging out, talking. Beanie was thawing out a chicken on the table. I was treated like an old friend". Prior to meeting A.E. Backus, MAZZ painted a variety of scenes - including; Florals, Northern Landscapes, Kentucky scenes and Northern New York Adirondack Mountain scenes.
NEWTON & HIGHWAYMEN - Mazz's influences were Harold & Sam Newton (before the name 'Highwaymen' was coined). In recent years, Mazz has been training under Legendary Florida Artist SAM NEWTON. Additionally, he's received painting instruction from Highwayman Robert Lewis. 'Sam Newton has been a tremendous influence and I've learned many advanced palette techniques from him'
"BROKEN NECK STOPS FLORIDA ARTIST".. (See Photos below) After 2 major spinal surgeries to take pressure of his spinal cord and rebuild his entire cervical Spinal Column from C-2 to T1 with donated human cadaver bone transplants & titanium plates & screws in his spine...........Mazz has regained some of the feeling back in his painting hand. He has started painting again on a limited basis.
STATES HIGHEST HONOR. Mazz has received the Highest Honor in 1994 from the State of Kentucky. The Governor of Kentucky Awarded Mazz the Highest Honor for his service and accomplishments.
FAMOUS COLLECTORS. MAZZ's ORIGINALS are collected all over the world! Several Famous People are avid collectors: Rock Star; DAVE HLUBEK the Founder & Lead Guitarist of the Florida band, MOLLY HATCHET is a multiple Collector of MAZZ ORIGINALS. Dave Hlubek wrote the hit song: 'Flirtin' with Disaster" www.MollyHatchet.com Hollywood Movie Actress CHRIS NOEL, who starred in movies with ELVIS PRESLEY, Steve McQueen and many others (See photos below of Chris Noel below, also rock star Dave Hlubek). www.ChrisNoel.com Other collectors include Pro Athletes, Florida Politicians, Entertainers.
MAZZ Art can be seen at Attorney's Offices, Title Companies, Accounting Firm,s Corporate & private art collections across the United States, Canada & Europe.
Materials, Method & Style; Mazz always believes in Quality, especially a Work of Art, which will last for Hundreds of Years. He cuts and primes his boards. He Uses MADE IN USA masonite boards, Paints & Frames. He uses Italian Palette knives & his own technique for creating the Shiny Appearance, 3D effects and dynamic impressions. Natural Hog Bristle brushes are used for the background work. He mixes the paints, based on the 3 Primary Colors. He paints in the 'Alla Prima' method'- completing the entire painting, from start to finish in one setting! Mazz says: "I set up a blank board or canvas on the Easel, then I paint all my Energy & Passion into it, then I stop and Never touch it again" ........Mixing Technique; Thick oil paint is used - Impasto Style, sometimes mixed right on the canvas (board) - with colors meshing together, giving it a wonderful effect. (as opposed to the traditional way of painting layers over dried paint) ......Drying & Curing; During this stage, the colors further meld together and harden into a 3 D surface.
Magnificient Impressionist nature scenes;. MAZZ likes to add Flair to his paintings. He doesn't want his paintings to appear too realistic, he likes to 'bring out & highlight' a certain aspect of nature. Hence, a Spectacular Cloud scene, a Glorious Fire Sky, or a certain Tree which 'stands out' or radiates from the suns glowing rays.
SIGNATURE & 'BLACK EGRET LOGO' MAZZ ART are signed either with his knickname 'Mazz' or 'Mazzarella', or 'M. Mazzarella'. Look for his Trademark 'Black Egret Logo' on the painting. He Also signs his Full Name and Logo on the Back of each painting with a Permanent Marker.
DONATIONS: Mazz belives in giving something back and has Donated his Folk Art in order to help many causes including People with Disabilities, Wildlife Sanctuaries and 4H Auction Events.
MEMBERSHIP: Although Mazz has never had any formal Art Schooling, he has a Membership with the prestigious NATIONAL ACADEMY MUSEUM & SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS, the NATIONAL OIL & ACRYLIC PAINTERS SOCIETY & the INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF MARINE PAINTERS. Mazz is a Nature lover at heart and often explores Florida's wilderness.
