We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mark Milazzo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Mark, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
i have always made art and collage for me was around 2018 but not like I do the craft today. Around 2020, during covid, i was making art or trying to find my way and I began to immerse myself. My son convinced me to get an instagram account and so I did. Since then i have made close to 4000 collage/assemblage pieces. I was making 30-60 pieces a week for at least 2 years, so when I wasn’t working or doing something with my son, I was making art. There were never any obstacles, I learned as I went and taught myself through trial and error. We learn by doing.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Covid was the starter for me, we were stuck at home and how better to pass the time than being creative. Once I saw others creativity on IG/instagram I was hooked and I started looking for paper, books, magazines and anything that I could use. I have evolved into an artist that has been fortunate enough to make thousands and thousands of pieces and sold some along the way. I am not afraid to push boundaries and i don’t have a preconceived idea before hand. I start with the paper in front of me and I just start cutting, tearing and gluing. i have been lucky, having been on the local news channels 2x, been published in several books, internationally and by an MFA program at a University.
I do not try to sell my art but I have and do. I am represented by a gallery in monroe, NC, near charlotte, presson gallery. I want my art to capture your attention and perhaps make you smile and allows a memory to come back to you.
i think Europeans get my art a bit more in some regards and i have several published pieces in books that are in the Florence national library and the Rome national library. i think my 1st exhibit was a virtual ehibit during covid in argentina. I have done several commissions and this always surprises me, that someone would want to hang my art, very pleasing and so much appreciated. i think we should create, inspire and repeat as often as necessary. i am blessed with the interest in producing as much art as i can and overwhelmed that people look at and appreciate my art. As you can tell, I’m not a wordsmith, just a guy that loves the art of collage.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
when someone contacts me about purchasing a piece that moved them or reminded them of something, all from a tiny picture, you gotta love that…..
i have posted pieces and immediately receive a message asking if the piece is for sale. i love that i have art hanging around the world and this has never been my intention but I’ll take it.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
For me, it is about being engaged and active, if someone asks a question, answer it, if they comment on your art, respond back and thank them. it is hard to be active but it works and other artists appreciate it just as you do. i mean daily engagement or every other day……cheer on a fellow artist….
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markthecutter
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markmilazzo
