In the captivating world of Marco Mazzoni, colored pencils transcend their humble beginnings to weave tales of allegory and nature’s wonders. Mazzoni, a virtuoso of detail, imbues his fantastical flora and fauna with profound symbolism. Each stroke of his colored pencil becomes a brushstroke on the canvas of our imagination, transporting us to a realm where women and nature commune in silent dialogue.
Mazzoni’s artistic heritage is deeply rooted in the legacy of Sardinian female herbalists. These wise women, armed with a deep understanding of the natural world, were revered for their healing powers. Their influence resonates in Mazzoni’s work, where ethereal female figures emerge from fantastical landscapes, embraced by the flora and fauna that symbolize their power. Through his captivating colored pencil art, Marco Mazzoni invites us to embark on a visual odyssey, where the lines between reality and fantasy blur. His creations are not mere illustrations; they are windows into a world brimming with symbolism, waiting to be deciphered.
I work exclusively with colored pencils, I often represent the flora, fauna and female mystics of Sardinia from the 16th to the 18th centuries. Combining organic shapes and textures with chiaroscuro contrasts of light and shadow, my drawings portray isolated female faces framed by plants and animals. My imagery refers to the herbalist traditions and Sardinian folklore of the mystical seductresses who enchant, curse and cure. My body of work is a tribute to the legacy of healing women throughout history.
Marco Mazzoni
More info: Instagram, Wikipedia (h/t: Domestika).
