Artist Pierpaolo Catini uses stones, recycled objects and even bones to create highly textured, 3D sculptural paintings. See more of his portfolio by visiting his website.
![Artist Pierpaolo Catini in his studio working on his Spider Man Sculpture. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Artist-Pierpaolo-Catini-in-his-studio-working-on-his-Spider-Man-Sculpture.jpg)
Artist Pierpaolo Catini in studio working on a Spider Man Sculpture
I am Pierpaolo Catini, an Italian artist based in New York City. I was born in a family that have been ceramists for generations; this was an huge influence on the work I do today. I love working with clay, but oils are also one of my favorite mediums.
!["After the Rain" (Materi Catini Series) Plastic, Wire, Wood, Stones and Found Objects on Canvas, 20" x 16" by artist Pierpaolo Catini. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/After-the-Rain-Plastic-Wire-Wood-Stones-and-Found-Objects-on-Canvas-20x16.jpg)
“After the Rain” (MateriCatini Series) Plastic, Wire, Wood, Stones and Found Objects on Canvas, 20″ x 16″
In my creative journey, I felt the need to create a thick surface in my artworks, something material that people can feel and touch. I started experimenting with many materials to create that effect such as plaster, stucco, gesso and resin. I painted landscapes in Italy using my memories for inspiration.
!["Piccolo Villaggio" (Materi Catini Series) Stones, Stucco and Acrylic on Canvas, 10" x 8" by artist Pierpaolo Catini. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Piccolo-Villaggio-Stones-Stucco-and-Acrylic-on-Canvas-10x8.jpg)
“Piccolo Villaggio” (MateriCatini Series) Stones, Stucco and Acrylic on Canvas, 10″ x 8″
I painted ancient houses, countries, roofs, lakes, rivers, clouds and mountains with brilliant colors and modern shapes.
!["On the River" (Materi Catini Series) Stones, Plaster and Oils on Canvas, 20" x 24" by artist Pierpaolo Catini. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/On-the-River-Stones-Plaster-and-Oils-on-Canvas-20x24.jpg)
“On the River” (MateriCatini Series) Stones, Plaster and Oils on Canvas, 20″ x 24″
It wasn’t enough to use only stones and plaster to create the texture I was looking for, so I mixed recycled objects into the base to create thicker and thicker textures.
!["Red Roof by the Lake" (Maderi Catini Series) Mixed Media on Canvas, 30" x 24" by artist Pierpaolo Catini. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Red-Roof-by-the-Lake-Village-Series-Mixed-Media-on-Canvas-30x24.jpg)
“Red Roof by the Lake” (MaderiCatini Series) Mixed Media on Canvas, 30″ x 24″
Using a play on words with my surname, in 2015 I created the MateriCatini series, because my motto is Matter is Art (la materia e’ arte). The paintings in my series of village landscapes (MateriCatini) have an average size of 16“ x 20.“ They are painted on canvas and are usually framed.
!["Jesus" (Sculpainting Series) Wire, Fishbones, Stones, Wood, Oils and Acrylic on Canvas, 9" x 11" by artist Pierpaolo Catini. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Jesus-Sculpainting-Wire-Fishbones-Stones-Wood-Oils-and-Acrylic-on-Canvas-9x11.jpg)
“Jesus” (Sculpainting Series) Wire, Fishbones, Stones, Wood, Oils and Acrylic on Canvas, 9″ x 11″
I became inspired anew when I began using stones and bones that have an unusual shape in my art. I enjoy building characters using these materials. I also continue to use clay for the details, as well as all kinds of fascinating recyclable objects I might find in my home or outside.
!["Vincent" (Sculpainting Series) Pipe, Stones, Bones, Plastic Eyes, Clay, Glue, Acrylics and Oils on Canvas, 9" x 11" by artist Pierpaolo Catini. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Vincent-Sculpainting-Pipe-Stones-Bones-Plastic-Eyes-Clay-Glue-Acrylics-and-Oils-on-Canvas-9x11.jpg)
“Vincent” (Sculpainting Series) Pipe, Stones, Bones, Plastic Eyes, Clay, Glue, Acrylics and Oils on Canvas, 9″ x 11″
I call this evolution in my artwork ʺSculPaintings.“ Most of these are framed portraits on canvas that are 9“ x 11″. It’s a sculpture and it’s a painting—it’s thick, it’s 3D and it’s on canvas, framed and ready for the wall. The colors I use are brilliant and pure. I use mostly oils, but also acrylic and gouache which I mix with glue and nail polish which I love for the very glossy and thick finish it creates.
!["The Guitarist Funky & Colors" (Sculpainting Series) Clay, Shells, Plastic, Stones and Acrylic on Canvas, 9" x 11" by artist Pierpaolo Catini. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/The-Guitarist-Funky-Colors-Sculpainting-Clay-Shells-Plastic-Stones-and-Acrylic-on-Canvas-9x11.jpg)
“The Guitarist Funky & Colors” (Sculpainting Series) Clay, Shells, Plastic, Stones and Acrylic on Canvas, 9″ x 11″
You can find everything in one piece of art (although you have to take a really close look to try and figure out what objects I have used.) I use plastic, wood, bones, stones, as well as doll’s eyes, which give life to some of my characters, such as the Chef, Sailor, Gypsy, Performer, Gentleman, Warrior, and Cowboy.
!["The Sailor Stones & Bones" (Sculpainting Series) Clay, Stones, Bones, Wood, Camera Lens, Plastic, Iron and Acrylics on Canvas, 9" x 11" by artist Pierpaolo Catini. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/The-Sailor-Stones-Bones-Sculpainting-Clay-Stones-Bones-Wood-Camera-Lens-Plastic-Iron-and-Acrylics-on-Canvas-9x11.jpg)
“The Sailor Stones & Bones” (Sculpainting Series) Clay, Stones, Bones, Wood, Camera Lens, Plastic, Iron and Acrylics on Canvas, 9″ x 11″
The first in this series was ʺThe Sailor Stones & Bones.“ I kept using the idea to give each of the artworks in this series two names. He has turkey bones and beef bones (which I boiled, cleaned and painted), stones, an old lens for phone that I used as an eye (it wasn’t working anymore anyway!) and a metallic web (which reminded me of a fisherman‘s net). I also used clay to form the little hat and the corncob pipe.
!["The Warrior Indian & Mohican" (Sculpainting Series) Clay, Wire, Brushes, Plastic, Pipe Cleaners, Stones, Oils and Acrylic on Canvas, 9" x 11" by artist Pierpaolo Catini. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/The-Warrior-Indian-Mohican-Sculpainting-Clay-Wire-Brushes-Plastic-Pipe-Cleaners-Stones-Oils-and-Acrylic-on-Canvas-9x11.jpg)
“The Warrior Indian & Mohican” (Sculpainting Series) Clay, Wire, Brushes, Plastic, Pipe Cleaners, Stones, Oils and Acrylic on Canvas, 9″ x 11″
I truly believe that we live in a period where it is important to not waste anything, so I found ways to recycle things and give them a new colorful life.
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