An Analysis of Art Through Todd Mrozinski’s Voice

An Analysis of Art Through Todd Mrozinski’s Voice
By Olivia Lorber

    As I looked through Todd Mrozinski’s archive of paintings, etchings, prints, and writings, it became clear to me pretty quickly that he is someone who values life in all of its facets. Todd spoke about paintings he witnessed at the Milwaukee Art Museum and instead of speaking about the technical mastery of the work, he went in-depth about how the artist must have handled the paintbrush, how their strokes of paint look like clay pushed around with fingers, or how Sheboygan artist Thomas Haneman’s immersive plant paintings depict his growth and overcoming of a deep depression. The way that Todd Mrozinski speaks about art seems as if his words are used to help someone who can’t see the work in person feel what he felt when staring at the piece up close. In Todd’s Urban Milwaukee article “Portrait Society Show Packs Emotional Punch” he describes how emotionally resonant Ted Brusubardis’ piece, “Lietus in 3 Movements” was to him. Todd mentioned he left the gallery with tears in his eyes and as a reader who did not get to witness this piece in person, I got a sense of that power through Todd’s words. 
Todd Mrozinski’s style of writing does not come off as a diary of entry of his own experiences for solely himself to refer to. As much as he describes his own appreciation for a piece of art, he writes about each work to help his readers understand and experience a work of art they can not see. I quote from Todd that I feel really summarizes my interpretation of his voice in writing and personality is from another Urban Milwaukee article of his called “The Power of Great Paintings” Todd says “What made Duncan Phillips such a modern collector is that he didn’t just choose paintings from some of the greatest contemporary artists of his time, he knew many of the artists personally, supported their careers and chose the very best examples of their work.” I enjoyed the sentiment of this as he valued the thought and passion behind the collector Duncan Phillips, rather than boasting about the extent or value of the collection itself. Todd seems to have an incredible passion for art that is important for all of us artists to hold on to. I appreciated getting to read about art from a writer whose voice offers such liveliness and reassurance.