Each week we will spotlight a different DPW artist who will give away one of their best paintings. To enter to win Mark's painting "Brown Pelican" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.
From Mark's DPW Gallery Page:
I am a self taught artist and native New Orleanian. I've spent my career as a graphic designer, illustrator and visual artist. As a college student, my first job was working as an artist in the t-shirt screenprinting industry. However, most of my career has been working a freelance artist, with a client list of small and large businesses. I work in a variety of mediums and styles, including watercolor, acrylic or oil. I have produced posters and t-shirt designs for a number of local festivals and fairs. A lifetime of local music, food, art and architecture provide a rich inspiration for the work you see.
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| Brown Pelican (click to view) |
I think my vision of what I’d be as an adult was much the same as most kids who are influenced by what appeals to them as they discover it. I think it was ever changing…a policeman whenever we had them visit our classroom as part of the ‘Officer Friendly’ program. Some days it might be a schoolteacher if I was particularly fascinated with my teacher that year. Art has always felt the most natural for me, so that has guided me to a career as a creative type.
When did your artistic journey begin?
Some of my earliest memories are drawing, the same as many kids. In my case, it has always been a part of my life. I was always the kid who was known as ‘good at drawing’.
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| Streetcar sketch (click to view) |
Did you have any long periods without creative expression? How did you get back on the horse?
At various times, life gets in the way. I’ve felt very unproductive during those times. I usually seek inspiration by looking at the work of others. It always makes me want to start creating again. I have a large library of art books to browse, but social media makes that so much easier now.
Which mediums and genres do you gravitate toward? Which ones don’t appeal?
I’ve worked in so many different mediums. Currently watercolor is my preference. It’s more portable, so I can draw while sitting in front of the television. Once I have a drawing, I can often sit down and complete a piece in one sitting. I’ve felt that way about acrylic painting at times, but it usually involves me dedicating time to work only in my studio. I haven’t had a real desire to paint only in oils, but I do use them with acrylics from time to time.
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| Porch kitties (click to view) |
What was the process like of pinpointing your personal style or finding your voice?
I’ve been at this most of my life, so I think of style as a natural way of drawing, painting or mark making. It’s the sum of outside artistic influences colliding with methods and mediums that I find comfortable. My current line and wash work has been a really intuitive way of working. If it felt like a task to create, I would be frustrated and not bother.
Name an artist (or artists), well-known or not, who you admire. Why?
There are so many. Lately, I’ve been looking at quite a lot of urban sketchers…Ian Fennelly, Paul Wang and an artist named Charlie Breen whose work is quite playful and enjoyable to me. I love illustrators like John Cuneo and Joe Ciardiello. These are only a fraction of people I follow. I really appreciate artists in a variety of mediums and approaches. I could go on all day.
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| Lucky dogs (click to view) |
If you could offer one piece of advice to your younger, creative self — what would that be?
Don’t get caught up in trying to create a style. Soak up the work of others you enjoy, but have fun making your own art. Enjoying the process will give you more joy than anything else.
Do you utilize any habits or tricks for winning the distraction and procrastination battle?
For me, it usually takes simply sitting down and drawing. Sometimes you create things you don’t like, but everyone has to get those bad drawings out before the better stuff comes along. Don’t beat yourself up over dissatisfying results.
Tabasco
(click to view)
In moments of self-doubt or adversity, how do you push forward?
Everyone has bad days. Sometimes, it just requires stepping away and coming back to it later. Involve yourself in something that’s totally unrelated to take your mind off of it. Exercise, put on your headphones and listen to music or a podcast, take a shower, take a walk, or read. I like to cook, so that usually takes me to a different place.
What are some of your long and short term goals for yourself or your art?
My immediate goal is to continue to explore watercolor, especially as it pertains to the urban sketch type of work that I’m currently creating. I’d also like to try exhibiting at some art markets after our sweltering summer has passed. Exploring other working methods in the near future is on my to-do list. It seems that working in a new or different medium, like watercolor, informs the way I work in others, so I’m anxious to explore different techniques in acrylic. It’s a bit vague for me right now, but I have a few ideas I’d like to try.
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| Audubon Park Oak (click to view) |
What does success mean to you personally?
Enjoying the process is most important. Learning and evolving comes with that. If others like my work, that is a big plus. I suppose acceptance is good for most of us. If someone feels a connection to something I’ve created, that’s a really good moment for me. I’ve especially seen that in recent commissions and some other works.
What is one of your proudest moments in your creative life?
I don’t think there is a single moment. There are so many happenings along the way. Sometimes I complete a piece and feel really proud of the individual work. There are other times when I receive a commission and worry that I won’t make my client happy, but I give my best and it works out. That makes me really proud of the work I’ve produced.
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| Near Rampart (click to view) |
