⭐Cosclayer Spotlight: UMarts⭐
Umberto Mulignano (aka UMarts) was born 39 years ago in Battipaglia in the province of Salerno, South Italy (the famous town of mozzarella!) Why UMARTS? They are simply the initials of his name and surname with the addition of the word ARTS, because he loves art in all its forms, from singing to illustration to sculpture and musical performance. He has participated in several singing competitions in Italy with excellent results and has also recorded some Songs in English and Italian. Umberto had clear ideas already from elementary school and began his artistic studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome. Unfortunately for economic reasons he did not finish his studies and had to start working. After many years between scholarships he had at the musical academies in Milan and Salerno, he decided to embark on an artistic and definitive path that he will no longer call HOBBY, but work. A job that he defines as “the most beautiful in the world because creating magical and fantasy creatures, I never work!”
What got you interested in sculpting?
UMarts: Sculpture has always been a part of my life. I studied at art school but I wasn't very good at modeling classic things like the half-lengths of some Greek god or some horse's head. My mind was already traveling to parallel worlds and fantasy creatures. Unfortunately, many teachers at school didn’t encourage the imagination of their students. Fortunately, after a few years of academic studies, I took my ideas and turned them into reality. And above all, I'll tell you a secret: I hated modeling clay!!!
How long have you been sculpting your whimsical creations for?
UMarts: It's been 10 years since I started modeling polymer clay and it's a decision I wouldn't change for anything in the world!
What inspires you?
UMarts: It all started from my childhood. I read fantasy books and comics, from Dylan Dog to Tolkien. I also played role-playing games, which introduced me to all races of human and non-human. My love for the history of magic and the supernatural. I watched Tim Burton movies with my eyes wide open. Then came Harry Potter books and movies, and since then my mind has started to travel stronger and faster than before. One of the artists who has inspired me in this world and in my life is the master JIM MCKENZIE!
What are some of your most important tools for creating your sculptures? Is there something you can't live without in your studio?
UMarts: What must never be missing is the Cosclay of course! Speaking of useful tools, the thin silicone tip cannot be missing for the Cosclay; it is essential! I can make details that are absurd and impossible to do with other tools.
Which Line (Doll, Sculpt, Deco) and colors of Cosclay are you using and why?
UMarts: Normally I prefer the Cosclay DOLL and SCULPT when I want to create larger sculptures or figures that I can paint. I use Cosclay DECO when I have to create colored miniatures plus some mica powdered pigments with some chameleon interference.
How has the inclusion of Cosclay into your artistic tool belt aided your creative process?
UMarts: I had been working with each brand of polymer clay for years. I created different mixes in order to have good elasticity, but they were always hard and they crumbled. I literally wasted hours of time to be able to condition the clays! Sometimes the desire to create just for this reason passed me by. I kept wondering when and who would ever invent the perfect flexible and soft polymer clay; and apparently the Cosclay was born! From that moment on I gave away all the clay I had and I started using only the Cosclay! I wouldn't change it for anything in the world at all.
Where can I see more of your work? (social medias or website)
UMarts: I mostly use Instagram where, among stories, posts and reels, I try to include all my followers in my creative processes
Click here to see UMarts on Instagram
And lately I've been having a lot of fun on tik tok! Creating creative videos with the cosclay!
Click here to see UMarts on TikTok
I've also been on YouTube for 10 years where I make creative videos every week.
Click here to check out UMarts on Youtube
Images provided by and used with permission of the artists ©2022
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