TOM MAZZULLO

ZOOLOGY


I’ve made more drawings of zoological specimens in metalpoint than of almost any other subject. The very first artwork I made after moving to Ithaca, NY after graduate school was a drawing of an ant I found in Dewitt Park. I love the challenge of taking a complex subject, placing it in front of me, and producing not only an accurate, life-size representation of the specimen, but also an artwork that has the grace and subtlety of a finished silverpoint drawing. More than illustration, I’m trying to make expressive art, internalizing the subject and making a drawing that respects the specimen as a (once) living thing. I’ve been working from specimens I own, as well as from mounts at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and the CU Boulder Zoological Collection, with appreciation to both institutions. Two series of zoological works were exhibited at Spark Gallery as Zoology in 2015 and as Infestation in 2019. The most recent exhibit was Sometimes I Draw Birds at Pirate Contemporary in May 2022.

Northern Oriole, 2021, silverpoint on prepared paper, 7 x 7 3/4  inches

Northern Oriole, 2021, silverpoint on prepared paper, 7 x 7 3/4  inches

Tennessee Warbler, 2021, silverpoint on prepared paper, 6 1/2 x 7 inches

Tennessee Warbler, 2021, silverpoint on prepared paper, 6 1/2 x 7 inches

Northern Flicker, 2021, silverpoint on prepared paper, 7 1/4 x 7 3/4  inches

Northern Flicker, 2021, silverpoint on prepared paper, 7 1/4 x 7 3/4  inches

Hoatzin, 2021, silverpoint on prepared paper, 8 1/2 x 8  inches

Hoatzin, 2021, silverpoint on prepared paper, 8 1/2 x 8  inches.

Private collection.

Snowy Egret, 2021, silverpoint on prepared paper, 10 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches

Snowy Egret, 2021, silverpoint on prepared paper, 10 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches

Blue Grosbeak, 2021, silverpoint on prepared paper, 7 x 7 inches

Blue Grosbeak, 2021, silverpoint on prepared paper, 7 x 7 inches

Western Tanager, 2021, silverpoint on preped paper, 5 1-4 x 6 5-8 inches

Western Tanager, 2021, silverpoint on prepared paper, 5 1/4 x 6 5/8 inches

Mountain Bluebird, female, 2021, silverpoint on prepared paper, 7 x 6 7-8 inches

Mountain Bluebird, female, 2021, silverpoint on prepared paper, 7 x 6 7/8 inches

Catbird, 2021, silverpoint on prepared paper, 5 5-8 x 5 1-2

Catbird, 2021, silverpoint on prepared paper, 5 5/8 x 5 1/2

Giant Grasshopper (Tropidacris dux, Anteriolateral View), 2017, silverpoint on prepared paper, 7 x 10 inches (sheet size)

Giant Grasshopper (Tropidacris dux, Anterolateral View), 2017, silverpoint on prepared paper,

7 x 10 inches

Lantern Fly (Fulgora laternaria), 2017, silverpoint with palladium on prepared paper, 7.25 x 9 inches (sheet size)

Lantern Fly (Fulgoria laternaria), 2017, silverpoint with palladium on prepared paper,

7 1/4 x 9 inches. Private collection.

Giant Scorpion (Heterometrus spinifer), 2017, silverpoint on prepared paper, 6 1/2 x 9 inches (sheet size)

Giant Scorpion (Heterometrus spinifer), 2017, silverpoint on prepared paper,

6 1/2 x 9 inches

2014 Bush Cicada (Tibicen dorsatus), 2015, silverpoint on prepared paper, 5 x 7 inches (sheet size)

2014 Bush Cicada (Tibicen dorsatus), 2015, silverpoint on prepared paper,

5 x 7 inches. Private collection.

Huntsman Spider (Malaysia), 2018, silverpoint on prepared paper, 7 x 10 inches (sheet size)

Huntsman Spider (Malaysia), 2018, silverpoint on prepared paper, 7 x 10 inches

Violin Beetle (Mormolyce phyllodes), 2018, silverpoint with palladiumpoint on prepared paper, 6 7-8 x 8 inches

Violin Beetle (Mormolyce phyllodes), 2018, silverpoint with palladiumpoint on prepared paper, 6 7/8 x 8 inches

Northern White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus), 2014, silverpoint on prepared paper, 7 x 11 inches (sheet size)

Northern White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus), 2014, silverpoint on prepared paper, 7 x 11 inches

Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola), 2016, silverpoint on prepared paper, 10 x 9 inches (sheet size)

Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola), 2016, silverpoint on prepared paper, 10 x 9 inches

European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), 2015, silverpoint on prepared paper, 6.5 x 7 inches (sheet size)

European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), 2015, silverpoint on prepared paper, 6 1/2 x 7 inches

Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus), 2014, silverpoint on prepared paper, 15 x 11 inches  (sheet size)

Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus), 2014, silverpoint on prepared paper, 15 x 11 inches

Cyanocitta cristata (Blue Jay), 2014, silverpoint on prepared paper, 8 x 9 inches (sheet size). Private Collection

Cyanocitta cristata (Blue Jay), 2014, silverpoint on prepared paper, 8 x 9 inches (sheet size). Private Collection.

© 2023 Tom Mazzullo