I became fascinated by the technique [of mezzotint] when I first discovered it and I could no longer see any other way in art. I believe there is no other technique of etching that reflects all the variety of velvety tints, from black to white. There is no better opportunity to show the difference between the effects of artificial light and the tenderness of natural light. In my opinion, there is no more suitable material to render the state of my soul, mood, joy, and sorrow. Thus, the mezzotint technique is the whole world, which is enormous and deep, and “once you are in it, you stay there forever.”

“Light Image” is a mezzotint made from a brass plate.

Marina Lazareva was born in Moscow in 1961 and educated as an artist-jeweler first and then as an artist-printmaker. She is a member of the Union of Arts of Russia and of the International Mezzotint Society. She works mostly in the traditional mezzotint technique that she was taught in the studio of Vladimir Samarin, a mezzotint master.

The range of Marina’s creative capability is from genre-miniature, still life, lyrical landscapes, to the majestic views of native architecture. Two abilities of the artist are united in mezzotint technique—devotion to tone drawings, and the love of working on metal.

2004
“7th International Miniature Art Biennial” Ville-Marie, Canada
“Xth All Russia Art Exhibition” Moscow, Russia
“Printmaking of the Moscow Area” Moscow, Russia

2003
“9th Regional Art Exhibition of the Central Areas of Russia” Lipetsk, Russia
“2nd Annual Lessedra World Miniature Print Exhibition” Sofia, Bulgaria
“300th Anniversary of the Slavonic Written Language” National Exhibition, Voronesh, Russia
“Victory Day” Moscow, Russia
“My Moscow” Solnechnogorsk, Russia
“The Healing Power of Art” Manhattan Arts International, New York, New York