Mario Ernesti’s paintings are very much inspired by the beautiful nature of his native Caribbean island Aruba. Every year, all sorts of flowers and fruits appear in the surrounding flora of his youth, when after the rain season the whole nature is blooming and growing. Joyful childhood memories experienced in the neighbourhood of his parents’ and grand-parents’ homes have influenced his artistic development.
During his studies in the Netherlands (Tilburg and Amsterdam) Mario Ernesti travelled in different countries in Europe, especially Greece and Italy, visiting all kinds of museums and enjoying the works of the great masters of the art. In Paris, he was specifically attracted by the paintings of Miro, Kandinsky, Dufy and Delaunay. Paul Klee is his favourite painter because of the musicality, colours and humour in his drawings and paintings.
In some of his paintings’ titles, Mario Ernesti expresses his concern about what is happening to nature in Aruba. With his “protest paintings” he illustrates his thoughts about the preservation of the authentic flora, fauna and landscape of the island. Arubans should in his view be more aware of the rich and beautiful vegetation that is being endangered by building activities everywhere on the island.