| Me! I just paint and love it! |
Painting and drawing were my favorite past times as a child, but my parents, hardworking
immigrants, discouraged me from pursuing art as a career. I ended up with an MBA in
Management Computer Systems and Marketing, which I put to good use. When I retired
a few years ago from a very successful sales career with Hewlett-Packard at the age of
50, I rediscovered my love for painting. I began doing murals for my family and friends
just for fun. When I got serious about it, I was lucky enough to study with some of the
greatest muralists in the World today.
First, I studied with Sean Crosby, one of the top muralists in the USA. I've also studied
under Michel Nadai and Pascal Amblard, two contemporary French Masters of Trompe L’
Oeil. Trompe L'Oeil literally means, "to fool the eye". It's a style of painting, which gives
the appearance of three-dimensionality. It flourished from the Renaissance.
As I began this new career, I found that I enjoyed doing murals that included people the
most. I had an affinity for the faces so I also began to do portraits. My Trompe L’Oeil
training now helped me create three-dimensional realistic portraits.
I studied portraiture with Dan Slapo who was given the title of “Master” by the Pastel
Society of America for winning three of their competitions in his lifetime. I’ve also taken
workshops by with Nelson Shanks, Everett Raymond Kinstler, Richard Whitney, Marvin
Mattelson and Robert Armetta.
I’ve gotten very involved in the local artist community. I’ve been the VP of our local Art
League for many years and accepted the position as the Portrait Society of America’s
Ambassador to NY State. I recently chaired the Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists
“Faces of Winter 08” exhibition and seminar were 10 of the top portrait artist in the
country presented the “Boston School of Portraiture”. I was The Art Guild’s Gallery
Chairman at Elderfields in Manhasset, NY, where I managed their Gallery by booking
exhibitions and running open competitions. I also jury local competitions, teach and have
won numerous awards like the John R Grabach Memorial Award at the Salmagundi Club.
Here are some of the Exhibition/Competitions that I've juried and/or was on the selection
committee:
Independent Artists’ Association Nov. 2007 Juried
Floral Park Art League May 2008 Juried
Wet Paints Studio Group Sept. 2008 Juried
The Art Guild's Portrait Exhibition Sept. 2008
Brookhaven Arts Council Nov. 2008 Juried
Huntington Arts Council Feb. 2009 Juried
Floral Park Art League May 2009 Juried
The Art Guild's Figure Exhibition March 2009
Independent Artists’ Association June 2009 Juried
Scheduled
The Art Society of Old Greenwich Sept. 2009 Will Judge
Art League of Long Island Portrait Exhibition Sept. 2009
I also teach Oil Painting and Portraiture at Elderfields Art School and I have several
private students.
If you are interested in having a portrait or mural done, art lessons or having me jury a
competition please call me at 516-384-8181 or email mtucci@yahoo.com
immigrants, discouraged me from pursuing art as a career. I ended up with an MBA in
Management Computer Systems and Marketing, which I put to good use. When I retired
a few years ago from a very successful sales career with Hewlett-Packard at the age of
50, I rediscovered my love for painting. I began doing murals for my family and friends
just for fun. When I got serious about it, I was lucky enough to study with some of the
greatest muralists in the World today.
First, I studied with Sean Crosby, one of the top muralists in the USA. I've also studied
under Michel Nadai and Pascal Amblard, two contemporary French Masters of Trompe L’
Oeil. Trompe L'Oeil literally means, "to fool the eye". It's a style of painting, which gives
the appearance of three-dimensionality. It flourished from the Renaissance.
As I began this new career, I found that I enjoyed doing murals that included people the
most. I had an affinity for the faces so I also began to do portraits. My Trompe L’Oeil
training now helped me create three-dimensional realistic portraits.
I studied portraiture with Dan Slapo who was given the title of “Master” by the Pastel
Society of America for winning three of their competitions in his lifetime. I’ve also taken
workshops by with Nelson Shanks, Everett Raymond Kinstler, Richard Whitney, Marvin
Mattelson and Robert Armetta.
I’ve gotten very involved in the local artist community. I’ve been the VP of our local Art
League for many years and accepted the position as the Portrait Society of America’s
Ambassador to NY State. I recently chaired the Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists
“Faces of Winter 08” exhibition and seminar were 10 of the top portrait artist in the
country presented the “Boston School of Portraiture”. I was The Art Guild’s Gallery
Chairman at Elderfields in Manhasset, NY, where I managed their Gallery by booking
exhibitions and running open competitions. I also jury local competitions, teach and have
won numerous awards like the John R Grabach Memorial Award at the Salmagundi Club.
Here are some of the Exhibition/Competitions that I've juried and/or was on the selection
committee:
Independent Artists’ Association Nov. 2007 Juried
Floral Park Art League May 2008 Juried
Wet Paints Studio Group Sept. 2008 Juried
The Art Guild's Portrait Exhibition Sept. 2008
Brookhaven Arts Council Nov. 2008 Juried
Huntington Arts Council Feb. 2009 Juried
Floral Park Art League May 2009 Juried
The Art Guild's Figure Exhibition March 2009
Independent Artists’ Association June 2009 Juried
Scheduled
The Art Society of Old Greenwich Sept. 2009 Will Judge
Art League of Long Island Portrait Exhibition Sept. 2009
I also teach Oil Painting and Portraiture at Elderfields Art School and I have several
private students.
If you are interested in having a portrait or mural done, art lessons or having me jury a
competition please call me at 516-384-8181 or email mtucci@yahoo.com
