Library visitors are in for a wild ride this month when they visit the Spring Hill branch and come face-to-face with a lion! Fear not; this astounding creature has been captured, not in a cage, but in the frames of a beautiful piece of art.
Anthony Rizzo’s “The Friendly Lion,” a stunning and highly original mixed-media artwork, is the centerpiece of the Nature Coast Art League’s May Artist of the Month exhibit at the Spring Hill branch of the library. This branch is located at 9220 Spring Hill Drive in Spring Hill.
“I like working with wood, so I took some old wood and shaped it, then poured epoxy resin around it to form the lion’s head,” stated Anthony Rizzo.
Aside from his May Artist of the Month honor, Rizzo recently claimed second place in the category of 3D Art in the Art in the Park NCAL show as part of the March Art in the Park event hosted by the Hernando County Fine Arts Council. His artwork was also exhibited in the Synesthesia show at Gallery 201 in downtown Brooksville.
“I like to try all types of mediums. I am a self-taught artist and have a creative mind,” Rizzo shared. “I find different types of material, then decide what I am going to make.”
Rizzo has dedicated three full decades to his pursuit of the fine arts. “I have been doing art for 30 years. I enjoy the art world, I am always looking for the next project,” he said. “I have had many hobbies through the years, such as model ship building, designing a layout for my model trains, and painting scenery on the walls. I was inspired by my father, who also had many creative hobbies.”
Through his longtime membership in the NCAL, Rizzo has found an active home and creative outlet for his many artistic pursuits. “I have been involved with the NCAL for eight years. I like the fact that artists get together and share their ideas and artwork with the group,” he said.
Through the years, Rizzo has assumed his place as a productive contributor to the Florida arts scene. “I try to participate in other events such as ‘Art in the Park’ and some other small art shows,” he said. “I am also involved with a charity in Clearwater. Every year I donate a painting to be raffled off.”
Regardless of the medium or venue of his latest artistic masterwork, Rizzo’s objective remains the same. “My goal is to continue being creative,” he said, “and sharing my artwork with others.” Linda Graves, former president of the Nature Coast Art League, is proud to count Anthony Rizzo as a talented and successful NCAL member. “Anthony is a quiet guy with a great smile and warm personality,” said Graves. “His artwork is spontaneous, and you never know how he will express himself through his creations. His creativity is as unique as he is. He’s a wonderful artist and a great person.”
