A Native of Hawaii, Mark comes from a family loaded with artistic talent. He attended local public schools, as art quickly emerged as his favorite subject. Inspired by the drawings from his favorite comic books, Mark’s natural artistic abilities rapidly developed.

 

Mark voraciously studied art books and while still attending Castle High school, he began taking uninstructed Life Drawing classes which led him toward entering his work into shows and contests, receiving commissions for work and eventually starting his own graphic design company in 1984 specializing in calligraphy, lettering and silk screening. Mark has since been monitoring a similar Life drawing class weekly at Chaminade University.

 

In 1993, Mark joined a Plein Air (outdoor) painting class offered by the University of Hawaii outreach college. It was through this immersion in Plein Air oil painting that Mark was able to unearth his unique style of impressionist landscape paintings that he is now so well known for.

 

His Plein Air class instructor Florence Ko retired in 2000 and passed the teaching reins on to Mark. He continues to teach the Plein Air painting class on Saturdays. Mark’s daily outdoor painting pursuits produce the majority of his work for galleries, commissions and shows.

 

Mark’s success and enthusiasm for Plein Air painting and his genuine joy for offering instruction to others has brought him respect and recognition in the art community as well as many invitations to hold workshops throughout Hawaii and the world.

 

Mark has earned numerous awards and has been the recipient of many honors.

 

His work can be seen all throughout the Hawaiian Islands in private collections, as well as numerous Art Galleries, Fine Retail Shops and Government facilities.

 

He lives in the beautiful Kalihi valley with his devoted cat Petruse.

 

1998 – Portrait commissions for Nationwide telecast of Hula Bowl Halftime Show

1989 – Mural Commission for Victoria Ward, Ward Centers Amphitheatre

1997 – Home Grown Album Cover

1998 – Album Cover for 105.1 Kine Radio

1999 – 20’x 80’ Mural Commission for TV series “One West Waikiki”

2000 – Featured Artist American Savings Bank Calendar (14 paintings)

2002 – Haleiwa Art Festival Featured Artist, poster, t-shirt

2002 – City and County of Honolulu, “Mayor’s Culture On the Arts” Paintings for Mayor’s office

2003 – Mural Commission for Tory Richards Duty Free Shop

2002, 2003, 2005 – Aloha Airlines Executive Calendar

2003 – “Atelier 4” Queen Street Gallery Opening

2004 – American Savings Bank Composite Calendar

2005 – 10’x15’ Mural Commission for City and County of Honolulu, Arts in the Parks, Waipio 

            Aquatic Park

2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 - Honolulu Academy of Arts Invited Artist for

   “Showcase Exhibit”

2000 – To present - Featured Artist for Punahou Carnival Art Benefit

2004 – Selected as Signature Artist for P.A.P.O.H. (Plein Air Painters of Hawaii)

2004 – Signature Artist for Islanders Plein Air Painters Organization

2006 – 1st place Quick Draw juried competition, 1st Annual Maui Plein Air Invitational