ARTIST MAZZ
(see photo's below)
Mark 'Mazz' Mazzarella - His Oil Paintings are collected worldwide and is known for Palette knife work, Bold Brush Strokes & Extreme Depth. He first started selling his Artwork 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.  Mazz 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 muskrat, raccoon & fox traps early in the morning - then walk a few more miles to school".  He doesn't hunt or trap anymore, but often Fishes at the Ft. Pierce Inlet, Jupiter Inlet & Surf fishing.  Mazz has 2 College degrees; "I majored in Business, I Never took any Art courses at all.  All those hours being in the woods, studying nature, seeing wildlife & fishing, has inspired me to paint" 

FISHING, PAINTING & BILLIARDS  "I've always loved Fishing.......and One day I picked up a brush and painted like it was a Passion, like it was in my blood"  he also picked up a Pool Cue and become proficient at both. He viewed his passions of Fishing, 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 sidetracked him.

BEANIE BACKUS - Mazz used to visit him during the late 1980's where he received 'intense inspiration to paint vibrant Florida landscapes and clouds'. "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".  

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 human cadaver bone transplants & titanium plates/screws in his spine.....Mazz has regained some of the feeling back in his painting hand. He paints now on a limited basis. 

STATES HIGHEST HONOR. Mazz received the Highest Honor in 1994 from the State of Kentucky. The Governor, Brereton Jones, Awarded Mazz the Highest Honor for his service and accomplishments.

FAMOUS COLLECTORS. MAZZ's ORIGINALS are collected by Several Famous People including: Rock Star; DAVE HLUBEK the Lead Guitarist of the Florida band, MOLLY HATCHET is a multiple Collector.   www.MollyHatchet.com Hollywood Movie Actress CHRIS NOEL, who starred in movies with ELVIS PRESLEY, Steve McQueen.. (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.

Method & Style with Made in the USA Materials;  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 the USA! Hardboards, Paints, Frames and Linseed Oil. He cuts, prepares & primes the boards. He uses Italian Palette knives & his own technique for creating the 3D effects and dynamic impressions. Natural Hog Bristle brushes are used for the background work. He mixes the paints and works 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 - 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 or photographic  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 is 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 Art in order to help many causes including People with Disabilities, Wildlife Sanctuaries, 4H Auction Events, etc.

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 Photos

Nov. 2010. Mark Mazzarella receives Appreciation & Gratitude from the Sons of Italy, Cuore d' Italia Chapter, Jupiter Florida.  His Palette knife Oil Painting helped raise $1,400 for the Foundation. http://www.Osia.org

STATES HIGHEST HONOR The Honorable Mark Mazzarella, is Commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by Governor Brereton Jones & Secretary of State Bob Babbage at the State Capitol in Frankfort on June 27th 1994

Vietnam Veterans of Brevard County Florida Recognizes Mazz for Outstanding Support & Dedication 1998-1999 
http://vietnamandallveteransofbrevard.com

Vietnam Veterans of Brevard County Florida Recognizes Mazz for Outstanding Support & Dedication 1999-2000
http://vietnamandallveteransofbrevard.com

Ft. Pierce Dec 22nd 2010. Mazz catching Bluefish from a bridge. He kept a few for Christmas Eve Dinner and gave the rest away.

Barracuda Fishing. Jupiter Inlet Aug 1987. Mazz fished the Jupiter inlet everyday for a year!

Squirrel Hunting Oct. 1st, 1977.  16 yr old. (one day before his birthday).

Raccoon Hunting. Nov 1976. 16 yr. old.

Trapping Season 1977.

Barracuda Fishing. Jupiter Inlet Aug 24, 1987. Mazz fished the Jupiter inlet everyday for a year!

Age 13 or 14. Mazz started a trapping business at Age 13. Selling Furs & Animal Skins. Photo of 2 Muskrats. (he doesn't trap or hunt anymore, but still fishes)

Dec 30th 2009.

Dec 30th 2009. Painting at night.

Dec 30th 2009. On the Easel. Mazz just finished this Misty River scene.  He used Made in the USA boards & paints.

Nationally known Florida Artist, Mazz using the Palette Knife to paint clouds in an Oil Painting

Florida Landscape Artist Mazz - Painting with a Palette Knife.  March 25th 2007

Florida Artist Mazz painting with Famous Highwaymen Artist Sam Newton. August 27th 2006.

Artist Mazz painting with Artist Sam Newton. March 11, 2007.

Florida Artist Mazz painting with Florida Artist Sam Newton. June 30th 2006.

Florida Artist Mazz painting with Florida Artist Sam Newton. Oct. 29 2006

"Broken Neck Stops Florida Artist' Mazz's 2nd Spinal Surgery, March 2001. (After 3 months the Cast/Hard Collar is temporarily removed). After months/year of recuperation, Mazz has regained most of the feeling back in his painting hand and now paints on a limited basis.

(2 major spinal surgieries on Vertebra C2,3,4,5,6,7 & T1 front of neck and back of neck, to rebuild his entire cervical spinal column with plates/screws & bone transplants, laminectomies, expansive open-door laminoplasty, spinal cord decompression).

1st Place 1993 Florida / Bermuda Regional Pool Tournement. Mark Mazzarella and his team won First Place. He represented the Palm Beach Gardens Moose Lodge and the event was hosting by Pompano Moose - consisted of Moose Lodges throughout Florida & the Bahamas. (This is one of numerous trophies Mazz won before his spinal injury)

Jan 1995  Mark Mazzarella & World Pool Champion Steve Mizerak. Photo reads: "To Maz, A Great Pool Player, Best Wishes - Steve Mizerak 'The Miz' "(Before Mazz's broken neck and spinal surgeries, he was an avid pool player.  He's unable to play serious pool but thankfully, he still paints.

3 Time World champion Ray 'Cool Cat' Martin & Mark 'Mazz' Mazzarella. Approx 1993 (Before Mazz's broken neck and spinal surgeries, he was an avid pool player. He still paints Florida landscape Oil Paintings but is unable to play serious pool).

Rock Star Collector-Molly Hatchet

Rock Star Turned Art Collector - Dave Hlubek of Molly Hatchet fame may have been 'Flirtin' with disaster' in the early years & collecting fancy Rolls Royces, but these days he's Collecting oil paintings by his favorite Florida Artist, Mark 'Mazz' Mazzarella

Southern Rock Legend Dave Hlubek in concert with his band, Molly Hatchet

Dave Hlubek of Molly Hatchet  an avid collector of Mazz Paintings. "This is the Gator Country I grew up in, these scenes bring back great memories" 

Legendary Southern Rock Band; Molly Hatchet from Florida

"I want them all!" Lead Guitarist and Founder of Molly Hatchet Band, Dave Hlubek

Dave giving '2 thumbs up!"

Two more Mazz Originals which are in Dave Hlubek's personal collection. Seen here is Dave and his fiancee Jeannie

Rock Star Shawn Beamer of Molly Hatchet Band

Rock Star Shawn Beamer of Molly Hatchet Band, selecting Mazz Original Oil Paintings for his collection.

Rock Star Ted Nugent and Florida Artist Mazz