How do you find inspiration?

Sometimes I refer to my drive to paint as a “fealty to the presence”. Recently, I moved to California and on the day I arrived, my son Ethan took me down to Broad Beach. I was awestruck by the sunset that greeted me. I have never had my consciousness so expanded as when I am sitting next to the ocean.

My “Ocean Atmosphere” collection is a result of being intrigued by and motivated to present on canvas how magical that morning moment is when the sun finally shines through a marine layer, and how the evening light reflects from the color-turning sky onto the receding tide.

What can you tell us about your newest collection?

My “New Mexico Gesso” collection began when I was experimenting with acrylic gesso that was heavily pigmented. Mixing the gesso with fibrous and sandy texture has resulted in a surface that has a feeling of pixelation, reminiscent of the chaotic weeds and grasses that you see in New Mexico.

I would often work on one painting from my home in Santa Fe on two different days. The light was very similar both days which resulted in a deep, receding, slightly atmospheric blending of the light conditions. This process gave the paintings a cinematic feel, allowing the overlapping areas of light to be in pristine focus.

To see more of Mark’s stunning paintings, click on any of the links below:

Ocean Atmosphere Collection

New Mexico Gesso Collection

Browse ALL of Mark’s Paintings