Artist spotlight : Marzia

Artist Statement:

I create calm, atmospheric landscapes drawn from places I have explored, childhood memories, and imagined environments. My work centres on a sense of stillness and quiet escape, inviting the viewer to pause and become immersed in the space. Working with soft pastels, I’m drawn to their powdery, unpredictable nature, which challenges precision and control. I explore softness and definition, allowing blurred edges and sharper lines to coexist within the same scene. This balance results in compositions that feel both gentle and vivid, reflecting the way memories shift between clarity and haze.
Website : https://marzia.shop/

Artist : Marzia

Inspiration & Style

What initially inspired you to become an artist, and how did you develop your unique artistic style?

I’ve always had an interest in art; it started in my teen years, studying art history and being surrounded by beautiful artworks, growing up in Italy. My favourite movement has always been Impressionism, with its soft colours and simple, everyday moments that carry a lot of emotion. Through the years I have experimented with different mediums, but after my son was born, I found lots of joy in using soft pastels to create vibrant and cosy scenes, in a way that felt achievable and that carried a level of emotion.

Creative Process

Do you have any rituals or routines that help you get into a creative mindset when starting a new project?

Right now my time to create is quite limited, but I find myself sketching ideas throughout the day and taking photos of landscapes that inspire me, from colour palettes to composition ideas. Whenever my son is asleep, I get to enter my mind and sketch out the scenery that I eagerly want to create. I draw in the quiet moments of my day, and I hope that peace and serenity is reflected in my artworks.

Artistic Influences

How do you balance historical or artistic influences with your personal style, and how do these influences manifest in your work today?

Growing up in Italy I was surrounded by a lot of the classics; for a long time, I believed that was the only type of art that could be celebrated, yet I knew my personal style didn’t reflect that. It wasn’t until I started travelling the world and lived in Brighton & Hove, UK, and then later in Tokyo, Japan, that I began noticing how all types of art made me feel. It got me curious again, and appreciative of such a wide variety. Bold colours, infinite themes and different ways of expression. In both countries I found immense inspiration, and I am thankful to have had the opportunity to be exposed to so much that I can draw from.

Emotion & Expression

How do you use your art to evoke emotions, and what role does emotion play in your creative process?

My artworks are either real locations I have visited, distant memories of my childhood, or places I dream up in my mind. What they all have in common is a feeling; to me they all create little windows into a scene I want to remember and get lots in. I hope that whenever you see one of my pieces, you can take a moment to be transported into them, and feel the atmosphere I try to create in each one.

Exhibiting Work

How do you feel about exhibiting your artwork with The Holy Art Gallery, and what does this opportunity mean to you?

Personally, this further echoes the sentiment that all art is worth celebrating. I am very thankful that The Holy Art Gallery has selected two of my pieces to be showcased alongside so many other talented artists, and it has provided me with additional confidence to keep going.

Future Goals

What are your long-term goals and aspirations as an artist, and how do you plan to achieve them?

For this year my main goal is to be able to do some good, however small, raising money for charities. I am an introvert who finds it difficult to be outspoken, but I hope my actions can show where my heart is. I have been consistently creating new pieces, month after month, in hopes that whoever gets them is able to take a moment, even if briefly in passing, to feel something nice when looking at them. I would love to be able to continue perfecting my technique and simply have the chance to keep making my art and sharing it with the world, in any extent.

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Audience Connection

What do you hope viewers take away from experiencing your art, and how do you aim to connect with them on an emotional or intellectual level?

Everyone comes from different backgrounds in life, and everyone’s day to day can vary broadly from one another, but if anyone choses to take a moment to look at what I made, allowing themself to be carried in, I hope that my art can provide the viewer with a sense of relief. A breath of fresh air. A moment of calm in what otherwise feels like a chaotic world.