Artist Profile by Mario Tucci
Painting and drawing were my favorite past times as a child, but my parents, hardworking immigrants, discouraged me from pursuing art as a career. I ended up with an MBA in Management Computer Systems and Marketing, which I put to good use. When I retired a few years ago from a very successful sales career with Hewlett-Packard at the age of 50, I rediscovered my love for painting. I began doing murals for my family and friends just for fun. When I got serious about it, I was lucky enough to study with some of the greatest muralists in the world today.
First I studied with Sean Crosby, one of the top muralists in the USA. I've also studied under Michel Nadai and Pascal Amblard, two contemporary French Masters of Trompe L’Oeil. Trompe L'Oeil literally means "to fool the eye". It's a style of painting which gives the appearance of three-dimensionality. It flourished from the Renaissance onward.
As I began this new career, I found that I enjoyed doing murals that included people the most. I had an affinity for the faces so I also began to do portraits. My Trompe L’Oeil training now helped me create three dimensional realistic portraits.
I now study portraiture with Dan Slapo who recently was given the title of “Master” by the Pastel Society of America for winning three of their competitions in his lifetime. I’ve also taken workshops by with Nelson Shanks, Everett Raymond Kinstler, Richard Whitney, Marvin Mattelson and Robert Armetta.
I’ve gotten very involved in the local artist community. I’ve been the VP of our local Art League for several years and accepted the position as the Portrait Society of America’s Ambassador to NYC, Westchester and Long Island. I recently chaired the Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists “Faces of Winter 08” exhibition and seminar were 10 of the top portrait artist in the country presented the “Boston School of Portraiture”. I Chair The Art Guild’s Gallery at Elderfields in Manhasset, jury local competitions and have won numerous awards for my work.
If you would like to see my work, please go to my website: www.muralsbymario.com.
