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Conversations with Fabrizio Ceccarelli

Today we’d like to introduce you to Fabrizio Ceccarelli.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Fabrizio Ceccarelli and I live in the beautiful seaside town of Cesenatico, on Italy’s Adriatic coast. Although I’m a certified public accountant by profession, I’ve always had a deep passion for art, which has grown into a second career. I often describe myself as a blend of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde—precise and rational in my consulting work, yet free and creative in my artistic expression.

My love for drawing began in childhood. I spent hours sketching Disney characters and superheroes like Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man. A pivotal moment came when, at the age of six, I sent a drawing to a TV show and received a poster as a reward—it was small, but incredibly motivating.

After high school, where I used to reproduce Renaissance masterpieces, I pursued a degree in Economics and Commerce at the University of Bologna, graduating with top marks. I chose to stay local, building a solid career as a tax consultant and public auditor for various municipalities.

Art, however, never left me. It re-emerged thanks to my daughter, for whom I began drawing again. That rekindled my passion, and I immersed myself in oil painting as a self-taught artist, studying the techniques of Guido Reni and Guercino. My style blends pop and figurative art, often portraying cinema icons and comic book characters—but always fully hand-painted, never using prints.

I started sharing my work online and sold pieces worldwide—from Pakistan to New York and Paris. In 2020, I held my first local exhibition, which proved to be a turning point. Since then, I’ve exhibited across Italy and internationally, including California, France, and Spain.

Today, my works are featured in several galleries and are published in the Catalogo dell’Arte Moderna by Mondadori. I’m incredibly grateful for the support of collectors, curators, and friends, and I remain as curious and committed as ever. Every new painting is a challenge, but when someone connects with it emotionally—that’s when it all makes sense.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road. Nothing in life truly is. It takes willpower, determination, and a constant drive to improve. I’ve spent a great deal of time studying painting techniques, and like many artists, I’m rarely fully satisfied with the final result. Sometimes I even erase a piece entirely. In my studio, there are several unfinished works—set aside because they didn’t meet my expectations. My advice? Keep trying, keep failing, and try again. That’s how growth happens.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a self-taught artist specializing in pop art and street art–inspired works.
My pieces are known for their vivid colors, cinematic compositions, and reinterpretations of iconic figures from film and comics. I always paint by hand—I never use printed canvases—even when the image appears photographic. This sets me apart from many pop artists who rely on digital printing. Once, a fellow artist mistook one of my paintings for a print, and to me, that was the greatest compliment: it meant I had achieved the level of hyperrealism I aim for.

I work in mixed media—acrylics, oils, spray paint, and airbrush—to create layered, expressive pieces rich in color. The themes I explore deal with contemporary issues such as power, money, gender dynamics, ecology, and violence, yet always approached with irony and a captivating aesthetic.

What truly sets my art apart is its deep connection to painting in the most material sense. Above all, I consider myself a painter. I constantly experiment within traditional media to discover new forms of expression, and that search gives my work a strong and recognizable identity. Some critics have highlighted my ability to dynamically blend figurative and abstract elements.

Over the years, I’ve collaborated with renowned galleries in Italy, Spain, France, and the United States. My works have been exhibited at major art fairs. I am proud to have been featured since 2025 in the 60th edition of the Catalogo dell’Arte Moderna by Mondadori, which includes Italian artists from the early 20th century to the present. Being included among masters like De Chirico, Burri, Fontana, and Schifano fills me with joy.

But what I’m most proud of is knowing that my work—thanks to online platforms like Saatchi Art, Artmajeur, and Singulart—is being collected all over the world (United States, Canada, Pakistan, France, Spain, the UK, Germany, Norway, and more). This means it truly conveys emotions and speaks a universal language that touches the soul of anyone, regardless of gender, age, or geographic origin.

When someone stops in front of a painting and feels moved—or smiles—I know I’ve hit the mark.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Absolutely. My advice is to approach the art world with less romanticism and more humility. The myth of the genius artist, driven purely by inspiration, is largely a 19th-century invention. In truth, being an artist requires discipline, perseverance, and a willingness to learn—especially from criticism.

I’m self-taught, and that has taught me to remain curious and open. I’ve spent countless hours studying techniques, experimenting, failing, and starting over. In my studio, there are many unfinished works that I set aside because they didn’t meet my expectations. And that’s okay—it’s all part of the process.

So, my advice is: be patient. Work every day. Don’t wait for inspiration—create the conditions for it. Keep trying and trying again. The key is consistency and dedication. As hyperrealist american painter Chuck Close once said: “Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work.”

Pricing:

  • The price range of my artworks varies from $1,000 to around $4,000 for the larger pieces.

Contact Info:

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