Gina Matarazzo invites you into a storybook world where woodland characters dress for the occasion and flowers whisper secrets. Painted in oil on gessoboard and oil on Arches watercolor paper, these intimate portraits and tableaus celebrate companionship, ritual, and the humor of seeing ourselves in animals. Finely patterned garments, painted frames on select works, and abundant botanicals create a sense of wonder that is joyful, tender, and carefully crafted for close looking.

"There is a long, rich, world-wide history of humans being captivated by our animal counterparts. From architecture to textiles, books and films to tattoos...can you even think of one area in our culture that animals have not been incorporated into our lives?

I enjoy keeping this historical tradition going, musing about our most common four-footed friends. What do they really think of us? Do they think we are just some kind of giant animals? Do they see us as being separate from them in any way? Humans dream of spirit animals...do they dream of spirit humans? So many questions to ponder! Every painting I create is really just an ode to their sincere little lives and our fond connection with them. I wouldn't want to imagine a world without animals, so I imagine a world with ALL animals. I hope my new collection brings you joy and warmth in your heart!".

(Gina Matarazzo's artist statement)