Interview with Marco Grassi
What was your childhood growing up in Italy like?
Growing up in Italy is like living in a museum, you learn every day even just walking through the cities or the villages, the whole atmosphere you breathe has something magical and from which you can only learn. My family has always collected works of art and I was able to observe closely the way the ancient painters worked.
Were you artistically inclined from a young age?
I would say yes, even if I did not attend art school as a child. I have always had great interest in learning artistic techniques, not only drawing or painting, but also sculpture and carving. They were passions that I cultivated independently and that gave me a great sense of relaxation and satisfaction.
How and when did you adopt your particular style and medium? What do you aspire to as a painter?
After experimenting with various ancient techniques, starting from learning the technique of painting with egg tempera and acrylic, I understood that my ideal medium was oil, as it allowed me to create what I wanted most, in the most qualitative way possible, for me there is no better medium. Style is simply the result of a spontaneous process that defines you autonomously, based on your personality and what you want to achieve. I wouldn’t say that you can talk about choice, but rather a natural outcome of your artistic research.
I don’t set long-term goals, I don’t know what I can become someday. My constant research foresees a continuous improvement, picture after picture, from a technical and expressive point of view, determined by a perpetual sense of dissatisfaction that distinguishes me on a personal level.
Describe your creative process. How long does it take for a piece to go from an idea to the final result?
Describing the creative process from a technical point of view is quite complex, and personally I find it very varied depending on the case. Sometimes it has happened that I have to modify different parts of the painting in progress, significantly changing the look and the content.
It always starts from an idea, from some sketches, but which in most cases arises from an intuition, something that you perceive and that is defined only over time, even when the work is about to end.
Times are also extremely variable. Sometimes it takes many months to complete a work, in other cases, it took years.
Can you tell us more about how you fuse hyperrealism with surrealism?
Personally I believe that an high level painting always corresponds to an high quality painting. If you want to express something, this will have a better effect if it is expressed with a high technical level. A bit like a song – the lyrics can be very nice, but if it is played poorly, the result will be poor.
I believe that the technical aspect in art is essential, and represents a factor that everyone can understand, it can hit the emotions of anyone, even those who have no particular interest in art or painting.
At the same time I have great interest in exploring areas that have not been faced yet and above all I did not want to stop at the simple realistic representation, leaving a personal and unique imprint in my works must be a constant, even if this technique imposes great limits from a creative point of view, especially if you want to maintain a pictorial level of the highest quality.
What’s the most indispensable item in your studio/practice?
I can’t name one in particular – if you want to reach the highest technical level, everything is important, the materials, the best colors, the brushes, the light, also how you dress while you’re painting.
What hobbies or interests do you have that might surprise people?
I really like cooking. It’s something that relaxes me a lot and distracts my mind.
Who is your favorite musician or band? do they inspire you to create your own art?
I don’t have a favorite band or singer, but music is fundamental for what I do. It helps me to think and imagine; it gives me the necessary motivation to work and get the brain moving again.
Your favorite quote is …
“Be so good that people can’t ignore you.”
What are you working on now, and what are your plans for the future?
I have several very important projects I’m working on, but unfortunately for the moment I can’t reveal anything.
