A new exhibit highlighting beaches, sunsets, the ocean and forest landscapes has arrived at the McMillan Arts Centre (MAC) in Parksville.
The Accidental Artist by Felice Mazzoni can be viewed in the MAC’s Oceanside Gallery until Sept. 3, according to a news release by the MAC.
Mazzoni was born in Tofino. Having grown up both next to the sea and in close proximity to Pacific Rim National Park, his love of the outdoors grew tremendously. Throughout his life, Mazzoni has always been fascinated by landscape and urban images, and recreating the breathtaking beauty of the west coast.
These scenes are all brought to life through his use of intricate detail and manipulation of light. With contrasting and harmonious colours and bold compositions, including monochromatic works, Mazzoni captures the essence and feeling of the coast in every painting.
As an emerging artist, his inspiration to start painting came from his love for Van Gogh, being attracted to the whimsical and colourful nature of the French countryside.
Mazzoni often cycles through multiple paintings at a time from his small dining room table in his home, late at night, moving from rainforest to Pacific Ocean. He was quickly self-taught about all things oil.
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Raised in Ucluelet, he gravitated towards local landscapes of Vancouver Island. His love for his environment is transferred from brush to canvas and the emotions Mazzoni still has for his hometown are invoked through his work. His home and heart will always be in Ucluelet.
By mixing colors, layering, and intricate detail, his oil paintings have often been mistaken for photographs.
Mazzoni is currently exclusively represented on Vancouver Island through the Tofino Gallery of Contemporary Art and Kurbatoff Gallery on the mainland.
He is now embracing his hidden talent, selling pieces locally as well as internationally to collectors from New York to San Francisco.
Mazzoni had his first exclusive art exhibit at The Cabins at Terrace Beach in 2021, as well as a group exhibit at the Tofino Gallery of Contemporary Art in 2022.
His work has also been shown at the Boomer Gallery in London.
— NEWS Staff, submitted