“What lies in the dreams of our wee animal friends? In my meadow, where the creatures take good care of each other and their corner of the world, there is frivolity, celebration and a closeness with nature that we have long since forgotten.”
It’s been a hard year to create for Gina Matarazzo. With all the “worldly chatter about gloom and doom and with generative Ai being a threat to artists’ livelihoods everywhere”, her current solo exhibition at Nucleus Portland could have never happened. Thankfully, Gina decided to channel that difficulty, refocusing encompassing negativity into new but manageable goals. She beams at the results, now on show in her solo Fur-Footed Fantasies: “it’s been a goal of mine for the past couple of years to sculpt little pieces to embellish my frames and make them more unique. I also made it a point to create more pieces with elaborately painted frames. I love being able to create little narratives surrounding my art. It gives me a chance to explore both my design sense and illustration sense at the same time. I also allowed myself a little playing room this year, where I make plans, but allow myself to let the work guide me a bit. This is something I never could have done even five years ago.”
The result of Gina’s impetus is her most enchanting solo exhibition to date. In a time when multiple worldwide events threaten to split us apart, Gina’s anthropomorphic animal portraits celebrate the importance of community. “My usual angle is that we should be good to each other, be neighborly, caring and watch out for each other. In my meadow, the little ones always look after one another. But I was feeling it a whole lot this year considering the state of the US right now.”
Sprinkled with a touch of whimsy and wrapped within their elaborate handmade frames, Gina’s fur-footed fantasies continue to live their best lives, reminding us of little moments which bring safety and happiness. Take a peek at some of her works below, and if you are in the Oregon area, be sure to pop into Nucleus Portland to see these wonderful works in person! Fur-Footed Fantasies is open to visitors until October 25, 2026.
Parker loves hopping from flower to flower in the afternoon when sunlight skips across the garden…finding where the glimmers fall, and flitting between them as though dodging cracks on a sidewalk path.
Gina Matarazzo
Fur-Footed Fantasies
Dates: October 2 – 25, 2026
Nucleus Portland
2916 NE Alberta St. Portland, Oregon, USA
Open: Thursday-Sunday, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
For more information, please email GalleristPDX@Gallerynucleus.com
In his favorite place in the forest, Wolfie practices his music and his “forte” to “piano” with heart and dedication. Here, he forgets his worries and fills his heart with joy. Wherever he plays, the world grows more beautiful around him… for him, the meadow, his forest neighbors…and the very air itself.
Gina Matarazzo Fur-Footed Fantasies
“Although my animals are all imaginary, they are very often based on real world experiences. In some way, many of them are versions of me and how I see myself in the world. I am a small person for one, so I see significance in celebrating smallness through the animals I choose to paint.
“Being small doesn’t make you unimportant. I grew up not feeling like my opinion mattered much, so having a voice through my work is important to me.”
The wee animals in the meadow know that their beloved friends are often with them in spirit, especially when making merry and letting go of worry. In death and life, there are friends eternal.
About Gina Matarazzo
An award-winning artist known for her colorful and whimsical portraits of animals, Gina Matarazzo aims to show the viewer a magical way of looking at ordinary things. Through their point of view, she tries to reveal truths on how to be more genuine like animals are and be in tune with the things that matter the most in life. Her work is meant to distract the beholder from the difficulties that the world presents to them, promote peace and joy, and to remind the viewer how there is beauty available to them if only they stop for a moment and take notice. Her works have sold throughout the U.S. and internationally.
Gina studied illustration at University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA and has worked as both a designer and illustrator for the music and book publishing industries. Her past client list has included Wizards of the Coast, Hit Point Press, Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Glen Phillips, Peter Tork, Kris Kristofferson, and Running Press Books. She lives just outside of Philadelphia, PA in New Jersey and works with several galleries in the U.S. and abroad.
No matter what they are doing, When the day’s work is done, and food is squirreled away, they always make time for music and play.
With a toot, or a whirl… little chirps or a twirl… They all group together to gather and sing! Oh how much fun the night can bring!
Gina Matarazzo Social Media Accounts
Website | Instagram | Facebook
