Artist Statement & Biography

Like many artists, my initial relationship with creativity was one of pure intuition. However, it was during my formative years in Prince George, BC, that this childhood interest transformed into a lifelong vocation. While my formal education was often secondary to my time spent in libraries and studios, my true “epiphany” occurred at Studio 2880. Attending a surrealist exhibition there provided a profound, visceral connection to the medium, sparking a definitive realization: I was meant to be a painter..

Mentorship and Technical Evolution

My progression as a representational artist was significantly shaped by the friendship with Gene Bricker, a local artist. As a self-taught painter, I relied on guidance from various resources to navigate the transition from hobbyist to technician. Gene introduced me to the vital resources that defined my style and helped me bridge the gap between observation and execution.

My work remains deeply indebted to the “Alla Prima” books and philosophy of Richard Schmid, whose technical brilliance and written works served as my primary curriculum. My aesthetic continues to be informed by a lineage of masters, including:

Landscape & Composition: John Carlson, Edgar Payne, and Kevin Macpherson.

Figurative & Portraiture: Burt Silverman, Skip Liepke, and Daniel Greene.

Classical Foundations: Andrew Loomis, David Leffel, and Henry Hensche.

Professional Path and Personal Philosophy

At a pivotal point in my life, emotionally supported by my wife, Sue—I transitioned into painting full-time. While I experienced growth and consistent sales, the market at the time was heavily saturated with high-volume offset prints. Recognizing the difficulty of sustaining a career solely on original representational work in that specific economic climate, I made the strategic choice to pursue a separate professional career. This allowed me the financial freedom to continue my artistic development without compromising my creative integrity.

Current Practice

Today, my work is driven by a singular focus: the purity of the painting process. I am no longer interested in the “acceptable” or the “taboo” of the art market; instead, I am dedicated to capturing what honestly fascinates and stirs my spirit.

As Richard Schmid famously noted, an artist’s task is to get in touch with their own unique sensitivities and fears, then translate that internal experience onto the canvas. My current body of work is an exploration of that vulnerability—a commitment to improving my craft while expressing a truly personal view of the human condition.

What I’m Doing Today

They say life has time limits, and as I enter this next chapter of my painting life, I’m stripping away the “business” of it all. I want this to be about the painting—and nothing else.

Richard Schmid once wrote that we are the sum of our choices, and that our job is to paint what honestly stirs our souls, even if it makes us feel vulnerable. That’s my mission now. I’m leaning into my own unique view of the world, challenging myself every day, and putting my real self onto the canvas.

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

If anything here resonates or if you just want to talk about art, please feel free to reach out.

Fausto Mauro