Mario Champi was born in Peru in 1964. He spent most of his youth in Juliaca, a small town in the Andes and when he was very young he would help his father design jewelry. This early instruction became a foundation upon which his drafting abilities were nurtured, and his vocation as an artist was born. Champi first began considering a career as an artist when, at the age of twelve, he drew a portrait of a young lady, paid for with a sandwich, and it was very well praised by her.

In 1978, his whole family moved to Arequipa, a town of painters. It was there that Champi was exposed to culture and art books. One book was especially interesting to Champi; it was about the works of Leonardo da Vinci and it was this book fully convinced him to pursue a career in the arts. It was also during this time that Champi was introduced to the well known painter Teodoro Nunez Ureta who was also an inspiration to him.

Champi completed his painting studies at the Universidad Nacional de San Agustin and was such a natural that after only a few lessons in watercolor techniques, he won the National Watercolor Contest El Pacifico Pro-Unamonos in 1988. He then developed a technique that allowed him to obtain the effect of soft pastel without its inconveniences useing both acrylics and oils. The acrylics allow him to achieve transparencies, while the oils let him intensify areas that require a stronger color.

Champi has had several exhibitions in Arequipa and Lima, the last of which was at the prestigious Galeria Trapecio.His paintings are held in private collections both nationally and abroad.