It is said that if you love what you do, you will eventually be successful. Mark certainly adds credence to that theory. Money is not a driving force for what Mark pursues as a career. While Mark is compensated well for his efforts, it is not the basis for the quality of his artwork.
Success is hard to define but in reviewing Mark's work, most would consider him vastly successful. A Copley Society Master, Mark was featured in American Artist magazine as "one to watch". Those that do watch Mark and what he creates are well rewarded.
What does drive Mark's work is his fascination of people. Mark's specialty is his portraits. Mark observes people. Many artists can paint a portrait. Mark's goal is to go beyond capturing a likeness but rather to tell their story. Mark seldom works from photographs. "There is no connection with a photograph". While painting, Mark works to make that connection. His mannerisms typically put a model at ease and once in the comfort zone, the story often comes out. He lets the conversation go where it will. Their goals, views on life's many difficulties, who they are or even what they did last weekend. Once the story comes out, Mark tries to capture the persona on the canvas.
Given what Mark has accomplished thus far, one begs the question, "where do you go from here?". Mark's desire is to "get his power back". Plagued with back injuries for over a decade, Mark longs for the days when he could come and go (and paint) as he pleased, without worry (or pain). Until then, Mark will continue to capture people's stories on canvas.
eMail: mHayden@HaverhillArtAssociation.org
Drawings
Oils
Pastels
