Mario Zucca is a freelance Illustrator who was born and raised in a small town in Western Pennsylvania, United States. His love and passion is map-making which allowed him to always have a creative outlet between assignment work.
“My first exposure to illustration was from reading comic books. I obsessed over artists like Erik Lersen, Todd McFarlane, and Jim Lee..”
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Can you please tell us a bit about your background? Please add at least one random interesting fact about you.
I was born and raised in a small town in Western Pennsylvania. I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember, and my parents and teachers saw my early passion for art & always encouraged me to pursue it.
I moved to Philadelphia in 1998 to attend Tyler School of Art, and after a few years bouncing around after graduation, wound up back in Philly in 2011 and have been here working as an illustrator ever since.
Random facts about me…
1. As a teen, I won a national art contest that awarded my school a cash prize, which was enough to buy a few iMacs and start a small digital art studio. This was my first exposure to programs like Photoshop and Corel Painter.
2. I love local craft beer, and I’ve been to nearly 100 microbreweries in Pennsylvania.
3. I hate the taste of cilantro. It tastes like soap.
What inspired you to make art?
My first exposure to illustration was from reading comic books. I obsessed over artists like Erik Lersen, Todd McFarlane, and Jim Lee.
Did you study at art school(s) or are you self-taught?
My major in undergrad was Graphic Design, but I quickly learned it wasn’t for me and I switched my focus to Illustration. About 8 years later, I went back to school to earn my Master in Illustration.
How did you develop your own art style?
Finding my style has been an ongoing process over the last 2 decades.
I discovered my love and passion for map-making about 7 years ago, and it’s allowed me to always have a creative outlet between assignment work. As for inspiration, I’m constantly inspired by the work of my contemporaries, i.e. the work I see in annuals, online, and out in the world.
How did you start making a living as an artist? What was your first paid art job?
My first commission was for the New York Time’s Op-Ed page, and it came while I was still an undergrad. All thanks go to my professors Alice Drueding & Joe Scorsone who knew the Op-Ed editor at the time.
What do you live from as an artist now? What are your main income streams and what is the approximate % split of each?
It fluctuates from year to year, but it’s basically 70% assignment work, 20% print sales/wholesaling, 10% licensing royalties.
What are you currently working on?
Assignment work: I’m currently beginning work on a map of a section of Phoenix, AZ (Arizona, USA) for a real estate client.
Personal work: I’m working on a large city map of Milwaukee, WI (Wisconsin, USA) that will be made into a print and licensed as a jigsaw puzzle.
What do you think are the most important characteristics of an artist?
Passion, tenacity, always striving to improve oneself, and a willingness to take and apply criticism.
What are the art tools and other products and services you can’t live without?
My MacBook Pro. Also, I recently upgraded to a 24″ Wacom Cintiq and I’ll never go back to my old Intuos tablet. That, and a fresh set of Micron pens.
What are your favorite art and other books (fiction, non-fiction)?
The book I use the most and always recommend to those just starting out is the Graphic Artists Guild’s Pricing & Ethical Guidelines Handbook.
What is your favorite quote?
I’ve always loved the quote from Alain de Botton:
“Anyone who isn’t embarrassed about who they were last year probably isn’t learning enough.”
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Get in touch with Mario
- Website: www.mariozucca.com
- Marios’ maps shop: www.mariozuccamaps.com
- Instagram: @mario_zucca
Thank you, Mario, for joining us today!
All artworks by Mario Zucca, used with permission.
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