I was born in Roma, Italy, march 26, 1970. My name is Massimiliano Bertuzzi, or "Max" since the day my English teacher, a beautiful red haired American girl, called me that way. It was 1978.

I walked other paths before deciding to go for the main one. I completed High School studying at "Liceo Classico" in Taranto, Southern Italy. Ancient Greek, Latin, Italian Literature and Philosophy were main matters of study. There was not even a drawing course.

After I started to take Engineering courses in Roma, I felt a renewed, emerging pulse to draw. I lasted 2 years at University, then I understood what I really wanted to do. For 3 years I took some courses to learn professional basics.

1995. After some appearances on some Italian fanzines, and on some nationwide Fantasy magazines ("L'Eternauta", "Kaos", and "The Unicorn"), I heard about the Internet. I thought it was something that would have changed everyone's life. It could have changed mine too. This is the first appearance of MaxBert: this is the nick I first used and this is now my signature.

My first personal home site is dated 1996, when my ex-girlfriend - very talented children's illustrator - and I started a site called "Max & Francy's Fantasy Pages", hosted on the web space of our friend Greg Fishback at Medianet.inc. In may 1998 our paths diverged, so I replaced it with my personal portfolio. I was living in Roma, Italy. First version of the new "Max's Fantasy Art Studio" started at that time.

Then I lived in Reggio Emilia for 3 years, working at day as graphic artist in an advertising agency, and drawing at night. "Version 2.0" of "Max's Fantasy Art Studio" took its first steps in april 2001, hosted by my friend Alberto at Informatica 95.

Now I live in Bolzano, far northern Italy, with my girlfriend since november 2003, I am freelancing full-time again and I hope to do this for life.

I hope you enjoy my work. Ciao!
Sincerely Yours,