The Uphill Road
by Nicoletta Mafferi
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Nicoletta Mafferi, How do you describe your artistic output? I think it is difficult to talk about oneself, one's character and even one's work. Because, out of shyness, one could be too modest or, due to an excess of self-esteem, too vain. Therefore, I will say that I am quite satisfied with my work as an illustrator but that I still have a long way to go, so many answers to find both within me and in my work. I love drawing. And I like to draw a bit of everything: landscapes, characters, real and invented animals. I like the realistic design but also the drawing for children. |
Photo: courtesy of the artist |
I always like experimenting with new styles and solutions. I work with many techniques and in recent years I have dedicated myself with great passion to digital design. In a particular way, I really like to create illustrations in vector, for the graphic rendering, the purity of the lines and the synthesis of the forms. There is one thing that unites all my works: color. My inspiration for a new illustration or series of illustrations can be found in everything, but most of the time, it is precisely color that strikes me and that ignites my creativity.
I can't say that I am an artist but I would love to become one. I don't think I have made a contribution big enough to claim this title as mine. But I feel a kind push from inside me, an urgent need to try to create something beautiful. I hope to succeed soon. In the meantime, I will continue to search the world around me and in my imagination. So, my "artistic production" is an uphill road, a search for continuous improvement, difficult but beautiful and stimulating.
What do you aim to achieve through every piece you create?
When I start a new design, I have an idea of the end result. In other words, I imagine it already finished. Then I work for hours to get as close as possible to that idea in my head but letting go and being led by my instincts. The path is usually tiring but eventually something comes out. Sometimes it is good, sometimes it needs improvement..., and in every case, the time spent from the beginning point to the end makes me happy. For me the time spent drawing is always well spent. Therefore, my answer to your question is that what I aim with every new illustration is to be satisfied with the final result.
Where are the best places that showcase the character of Florence?
My favorite place to draw is my studio, where I have all types of tools: paper and pencil for sketches, scissors, blackboard, overhead projector, my Mac now a little old but reliable and many books. I like to draw in silence and with a dimly lit room.
The time to draw is an intimate moment, because in the drawing we tell something about ourselves, difficult to explain in words, difficult to articulate. As for the most beautiful places to describe my city, well... there are so many - Santo Spirito, Ponte Vecchio, Santa Croce. And again, every alley, the long river, the many gardens, the surrounding countryside, the Medici Villas...I am fortunate to live in a beautiful city, in a beautiful Country.
Who are some of the local artists you like collaborating with?
I mainly collaborate with a photographer, Giuseppe Della Maria, for whom I worked on the graphic part and wrote the texts of his photo book entitled "Portraits of Tuscan Centenarians". It is a photographic book about people who were born and lived in Tuscany and who have reached and surpassed one hundred years of life.
The protagonists of this book are people who have experienced the most impetuous, shocking, controversial but also significant, dynamic and revolutionary era of modern Italian history: the 20th century, with two world wars, the industrial revolution and the great scientific discoveries.
I can't say that I am an artist but I would love to become one. I don't think I have made a contribution big enough to claim this title as mine. But I feel a kind push from inside me, an urgent need to try to create something beautiful. I hope to succeed soon. In the meantime, I will continue to search the world around me and in my imagination. So, my "artistic production" is an uphill road, a search for continuous improvement, difficult but beautiful and stimulating.
What do you aim to achieve through every piece you create?
When I start a new design, I have an idea of the end result. In other words, I imagine it already finished. Then I work for hours to get as close as possible to that idea in my head but letting go and being led by my instincts. The path is usually tiring but eventually something comes out. Sometimes it is good, sometimes it needs improvement..., and in every case, the time spent from the beginning point to the end makes me happy. For me the time spent drawing is always well spent. Therefore, my answer to your question is that what I aim with every new illustration is to be satisfied with the final result.
Where are the best places that showcase the character of Florence?
My favorite place to draw is my studio, where I have all types of tools: paper and pencil for sketches, scissors, blackboard, overhead projector, my Mac now a little old but reliable and many books. I like to draw in silence and with a dimly lit room.
The time to draw is an intimate moment, because in the drawing we tell something about ourselves, difficult to explain in words, difficult to articulate. As for the most beautiful places to describe my city, well... there are so many - Santo Spirito, Ponte Vecchio, Santa Croce. And again, every alley, the long river, the many gardens, the surrounding countryside, the Medici Villas...I am fortunate to live in a beautiful city, in a beautiful Country.
Who are some of the local artists you like collaborating with?
I mainly collaborate with a photographer, Giuseppe Della Maria, for whom I worked on the graphic part and wrote the texts of his photo book entitled "Portraits of Tuscan Centenarians". It is a photographic book about people who were born and lived in Tuscany and who have reached and surpassed one hundred years of life.
The protagonists of this book are people who have experienced the most impetuous, shocking, controversial but also significant, dynamic and revolutionary era of modern Italian history: the 20th century, with two world wars, the industrial revolution and the great scientific discoveries.
Saint George and the Dragon |
Lighthouse |
Tribute to Frida |
What’s on your inspiration board right now?
What's on my desk… Ah, everything: imaginary landscapes and real landscapes, a lot of funny characters and someone serious, someone sexy instead... and many other things. I have a thousand ideas every day.
Would you like to share your favorite summer reading selections?
I love fantasy. I recently read the Harry Potter saga, wonderful. And before that, "The throne of swords". And before that, some of the beautiful books by J. R. R. Tolkien. This year I am more serious about my reading list. I am reading "M, the son of the century" by Antonio Scurati. It is a novel about the history of Italy between 1919 and 1925. As I said before I am the editor of the book on Tuscan Centenaries, so I am interested in reading this novel that deals with the same historical period.
According to you, the soundtrack of Summer 2019 has to include what songs/music?
Unfortunately, in terms of music I am not very reliable... Recently I paid attention to classical music and I really like Andrea Bocelli. But I love Maroon 5, Justin Bieber and Katy Perry, in short, a bit of everything.
What is your definition of a good day?
I can answer you with the words of a famous song, played by Luciano Pavarotti, remembered among the ten greatest tenors of all time:
"Good morning to this day that wakes up with me today,
good morning to milk and coffee,
good morning to those who are not there.
And good morning to my love to say
that's her
that it is she whom I would like to see first in the morning,
a good day, a new day.
I hope it's good for you too."
Sorry for the translation of the song, maybe it's not good. I dedicate this song to my husband who makes my days beautiful.
Your thoughts on #BeatTheBlues
I'm curious, creative and on the move. I am a person in constant search mode. I have great insights and expectations. But it's not easy to get what you dream about. At times, I am frustrated because I have high expectations and work hard to reach every small goal that I have set for myself. I believe we should want the impossible, so that the impossible really materializes. And that we must believe in ourselves and in our potential.
And about #WhatMatters
For me, life is something that must be lived in colors. I want to make it as lively and crazy as possible. Have the courage to do even ridiculous things. Forget what others say. I remember the sense of shame and fear of judgment that I felt in the early days of showing someone my drawings. Today I do not fear the judgment of others. I only look for my judgment.
Thank you for your time and wishing you good luck ahead!
You can enjoy more of Nicoletta's works HERE