Daniel Mazzone making waves in Canadian art scene

Daniel Mazzone is making waves in the art scene across Canada after rebounding from a life on the streets to create captivating portraits of everyone from Napoleon Bonaparte to John Lennon.

His portraits often tell a story through the arrangement and choice of new and old materials used to create an image, which can include comic strips, letters, and magazine covers.

“I always tell a story though all my pieces of either the subject or something that is going on in the world, either currently or in past,” he says.

“I then study and search for things to tell the story well.” Dubbed the next Andy Warhol by Michael Wekerle of the CBC series Dragon’s Den, Mazzone says success did not come easily to him, nor is it something he takes for granted.

Mazzone lived on the streets of Toronto for five years after leaving home due to family problems. “Surfing friends’ couches only lasts for so long before you find yourself with nowhere to go.” He says constantly trying to find a place to sleep and something to eat created a sad cycle.

“It’s not always easy to get off of the streets because your whole day consists of searching for the basic necessities.” He says this part of his life provided him with some of the inspiration for his future art pieces.

“I had so much time alone to think about the world and to study people; to see the good and bad parts of humanity; time to enjoy the very things we take for granted every day,” he says.

Years after getting off the streets, Mazzone watched the documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop, which inspired him to revisit his passion for creating art. “After my first piece sold, a light shone and I realized this is what I was supposed to do.” Today, Mazzone’s art shows are sold-out.

He is commissioned to create unique pieces of art for thousands of dollars, and recently sold some of his work to José Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays. He says one of the most important pieces he was asked to create was a Bruce Springsteen piece for a client who lost his best friend in the 9/11 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center.

“It was special for me as an artist because I could add his love for both Bruce and his friend into the art by adding a special touch to it,” says Mazzone. “It makes my heart shine to see someone so happy after they have their dream piece come true.”

Mazzone says he is looking forward to opportunities to share his artwork and find inspiration across Canada, including in Quebec. “Quebec often reminds me of Europe, in certain ways. There is a certain ‘Je ne sais quoi’ about the province,” he says.

“There have also been great artists to have come from there, so it’s very inspiring.” Despite his success, Mazzone says it is important to stay humble.

“You have to love what you’re doing as it always shows through your work. That is what people love.”