We recently connected with Mark Williams and have shared our conversation below.

Mark, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I’ve been creating from a very early age and knew that I would always work in a creative environment. I learned to draw human figures from comic books as a small child. I did every arts & craft project that I could find and spent most summers drawing various subjects using books and magazines as references just to practice my skills.

After graduating from school, my first job was as a graphic designer with a television station. It was an entry-level position that taught me so much about the business side of art. For the most part, I have held graphic design positions since then and painting and creating fine art for relaxation. The fine art aspect is starting to overtake the graphic design and that I am looking forward to pursuing on a more regular basis in the future.

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As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I have been painting and exhibiting my work since 2013, primarily in the Tampa Bay area. My style of painting is considered an intuitive process – with colors and random mark-making setting the scene – and the subject becomes refined from this initial process.

I moved from a home studio to a gallery studio last year, and my process has changed and evolved somewhat. I have a different environment in which to create – that is more focused and also allows me to work with other artists, sharing ideas and tips.This was an evolution for me being able to meet more patrons, clients and other artists to learn from and to teach.

I developed new styles and techniques in the new setting and experienced with different styles of paintings as I opened myself to taking commissions. Working directly with clients in person changes the way I viewed the creation process.

During the pandemic. there were no shows or exhibits to paint for – so I focused my creativity on digital artwork. The digital artwork became an interesting foray into art prints, textiles, and other merchandising. I now provide custom printed shirts, dresses, and shoes with my designs to clients upon request.

One of the biggest aspects of my art practice is that I respect my art community and value my fellow artists – that it’s more important to be a part of a community of creators and support them as you would have them support you. I have met so many terrific artists over the years at various shows, exhibits and in the studio and the sense of community is one of the most amazing aspects of being an artist.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Being an artist is rewarding on many levels. Creating art and expressing your unique view to share with the world can be terrifying but also exciting. Seeing a painting go home with its new buyer is one of the greatest joys. Just the state of creation – when you are in the painting zone for hours – provides a intrinsic peace of mind and relaxation that I cannot get any other way.

Working as a volunteer artist for a pediatric cancer research foundation to share my art skills is quite rewarding.

Sharing my talent and skills with fellow artists – not just the tips and tricks – but the business side – and materials to make the art business run more smoothly and efficiently – brings me joy.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Art can motivate, inspire, change the perception or simply entertain. I enjoy being a creator. As an artist, I believe my journey is to share a perspective with people that provides either stimulation or enjoyment. Whether art is created for relaxation or the make a statement – I want that to be what the patron gets from the art. To feel moved, loved, or even saddened – but to have a connection with the piece.

Contact Info:

• Website: WWW.MARKWILLIAMS.GALLERY
• Instagram: MARKWILLIAMSART
• Facebook: Mark Williams Artwork

Image Credits
All photos are my own.