Last week, I completed one of two commissioned pieces that had been looming over me, titled The Mario Bros in “Italian Hero”. The request was straightforward: “two poses of the Mario Bros,” with a deadline of Christmas. It seemed like a breeze at first—plenty of time to perfect the piece and ensure it captured the iconic duo in all their pixelated glory.
The challenge was not in the execution but in balancing this project with everything else on my plate. Between late nights and early mornings, the clock was ticking louder than usual. Yet, there was something exhilarating about diving into the world of Mario and Luigi. Their timeless appeal made every brushstroke a nostalgic journey back to simpler times, filled with warp pipes, coin blocks, and the ever-elusive Princess Peach.
As the deadline approached, the piece took on a life of its own. I wanted to ensure that it wasn’t just a replication of familiar poses but that it also conveyed the spirit of these beloved characters—heroic, slightly goofy, and forever iconic. It was a joy to bring them to life in a new way, and as I added the final touches, I knew it would be a piece that would resonate with anyone who’s ever picked up a controller and lost themselves in the Mushroom Kingdom.
This project reminded me that even with a tight schedule and looming deadlines, there’s a unique satisfaction in bringing beloved characters to life, especially when they hold such a special place in pop culture. And now, with this piece out of the way, I’m ready to tackle the next challenge.