Today we’d like to introduce you to Marco Lorenzetto
Hi Marco, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
How do I tell my story? Well, let’s start from the beginning.
I was born and raised in Faenza, a lively little city in Romagna, Italy. My father, an Italian with Venetian roots, grew up near Bologna—hence my last name, Lorenzetto. My mother, on the other hand, is English, with Scottish and Irish heritage. Faenza, famous worldwide for its ceramics, artisan workshops, and a museum entirely dedicated to this ancient craft, definitely played a role in shaping my artistic path. But alongside Faenza, there was always London, where most of my family lived and grew up.
Travel has been a constant in my life—partly because of this dual heritage, partly because my parents loved exploring the world. Since we were babies, my brother and I were taken everywhere, and once we were old enough, we started traveling on our own.
After high school, I moved to Rome, then spent a year studying in Salamanca, Spain. In 2007, after graduating, I went to visit my best friend Elena in Boston, where she was studying at the time. That trip kicked off my American chapter, which took me from Boston to New York. I was 21 years old, and it was during those years that I really started painting, drawing, and turning what had always felt like an inner calling into an actual career.
In New York, to learn English and make a living, I worked as a waiter at a restaurant called Bread on Elizabeth Street. And it was there that I sold one of my first paintings, which was hanging on the restaurant’s wall. That was a defining moment for me—art was slowly carving out its space in my life.
I could write entire chapters about those years, but long story short, after New York, I moved to Berlin, where I lived for almost three years. At the time, I was represented by a gallery in Paris, and not just anywhere, but in the beautiful Place des Vosges. I spent a lot of time between Berlin and Paris, until 2011, when my U.S. visa was approved, and I moved back to New York.
After a period bouncing between New York and Miami, destiny pulled me toward Los Angeles.
Los Angeles was a fresh start in every sense. I knew almost no one, had no job, and not much money. But I had my art. To support myself and keep painting, I started working as a chef. Cooking had always been another creative outlet for me—a way to express myself and connect with people. In a way, I was bringing a little bit of Italy to California’s tables.
And then, as life tends to do, a bit of magic happened: I went from being just a cook to becoming the private chef for one of the most well-known families in the world, the Gettys. That experience opened a lot of doors in the culinary world, so much so that I eventually started my own little cooking school at home in SilverLake, called Cook with Marco. Through it, I was able to support myself, keep creating, and keep my passion for art alive.
But deep down, I always knew that art was my real path. Eventually, the moment came to leave the culinary world behind and dedicate myself entirely to painting. Since then, I haven’t stopped. And so, the journey continues.
Of course, I skipped a few parts… Not because they were any less important—quite the opposite! I’ve had an incredible life filled with unforgettable experiences, amazing people, and unexpected twists. Trying to sum it all up in a few paragraphs is impossible, but I did my best to give a glimpse of the road I’ve taken.
If I’d included everything, I might as well have written my autobiography!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I think, like all of us, I’ve had moments when everything seemed to fall effortlessly into place and others when, out of nowhere, life became impossibly complicated. Change is rarely gentle, and challenges have never been in short supply. I wouldn’t say I’ve ever had it easy, but one thing I know for certain is that life, in all its chaos, has been incredibly generous—whether through the struggles that tested me or the moments of joy that left me breathless.
It’s the paradox of existence, isn’t it? There’s no light without shadow. A sky full of stars wouldn’t shine so brilliantly without the darkness of night. So no, it hasn’t always been easy, but I also know that the hardest moments have been the ones that shaped me the most.
There were times I felt lost, completely alone. Times when I had no idea how I’d afford my next meal, let alone rent. I slept on friends’ couches, battled creative droughts that made me question everything, and wrestled with the kind of doubts that can quietly sabotage a person if they aren’t confronted head-on. Some wounds stay with you, trailing behind like shadows, waiting for the day you finally stop running and decide to face them.
And yet, for every moment of uncertainty, there’s been another of pure, unexpected magic. Just as I’ve had months where I didn’t know how I’d make it through, I’ve also found myself on incredible journeys, standing in front of breathtaking places, or launching into new projects simply because someone believed in my work and commissioned it. From the lowest lows to the highest highs—this is the rhythm of a life fully lived.
But I think that’s the nature of being an artist. Especially one who, like me, never sat still, but kept moving—learning new languages, crossing continents, diving headfirst into a career with no guarantees, no safety nets, no roadmap. And if there’s been courage, there’s also been fear—because, in the end, they are almost the same thing. That sharp, electric edge between what is and what could be.
But no matter how wild the ride gets, I know this much: I wouldn’t trade it for anything. And if you let go of judgment, focus on your intentions, and truly understand the “why” behind your choices, you can only love life more—because for all its challenges, life itself is the most beautiful thing there is.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I’ve been working in the art world for almost twenty years now, and if I were to describe my work, my practice.., I’d say that painting has always been one of my greatest passions. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work on many commissioned projects for architects, interior designers, and private collectors. I’ve been fortunate enough to see some of my work featured in respected design magazines such as Vogue, Elle Decor, Architectural Digest, and others. These experiences have helped me grow as an artist and allowed me to keep doing what I love, even though most of my pieces quickly find new homes.
Recently, I reached a personal milestone with my first solo show in five years. My exhibition, Oraculum in Mexico City was a truly humbling experience. The positive response from the audience reminded me that art really comes alive when it is shared with others, and that connection means more than any commercial success.
I’m also excited to say that the exhibition will remain open indefinitely. It was an enriching journey, especially since I had the chance to explore a new medium, which challenged and inspired me in ways I never expected.
This year is already shaping up to be an exciting one. I hope to put together another exhibition, dive into some new research, and see where the road takes me. Let’s see what catches my curiosity along the way.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I’m not sure—I wasn’t expecting this question. But I guess there’s a whole world within my life that even I don’t always have access to, and maybe that’s just natural….. Normal, even.Especially when you live with your head (and hands) in making art.
I love poetry. I love soul —music that feels like it comes straight from somewhere deep and timeless. And I love to sing. Maybe that’s something I’ve always kept a little more private, a quieter part of me. But singing is something that brings me so much joy.
We’ve already talked about food—I love to cook. I love to travel. I love so many things. And I think a little bit of mystery should always be left intact. It’s nice to surprise people when they get to know you in person.
That said, I think I’ve always been an open book in the ways that matter. Of course, we all have our secrets, our private corners of the soul, but I like to believe that, for the most part, what you see is what you get.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Marcolorenzetto.com
- Instagram: Marco_lorenzetto
Image Credits
Marco Lorenzetto
