Artist Statement
 
There is nothing like being truly present with nature. The camera lens helps me to venture out and explore, to stop, listen, really look, and appreciate what I may normally glance over or miss. Aside from the immense fulfillment of artistic creation and expression, I am rewarded by this experience in a more deep and meaningful way. 
 
It seems to me that in our daily living in this world, the negative aspects often gain much more attention and influence than the positive. By focusing with my art on the beauty, wonder, and awe the natural world has to offer, I attain a more balanced positive existence. In my desire to share my art, I sincerely seek the same for those who would look upon it. 
 
For me, exposing the camera negative is only the beginning of the creative process. Most of my work is executed in a methodology or approach to photographic art that allows me to take my photographic imagery beyond reality, beyond the expectation to reflect back reality, and explore a more subjective visualization. The negative is my equivalent of a painter's base compositional sketch and the infinite variety and complexity of the digital image editing art tools, are my paints and brushes. As it is with the other visual art mediums, I am allowed to freely mold, shape, and transform my imagery in any manner desired to suit my own visualization and artistic expression.
 
 
 
Biography
 
Living in El Paso, Texas, and working full-time in the Information Technology field, Mark devotes as much of his recreation time as he can to his art. As a self taught artist, Mark has photographed the magical landscapes of the Southwest for the past ten years. For most of his life, Mark has been involved in creative pursuits. Having been a musician, composer, and ensemble director for over twenty years, Mark’s interests shifted to the photographic arts exclusively in the past seven years. Mark is a member of the El Paso Art Association.
 
 
 
Activities
 
●  Resident Artist - Sunland Art Gallery, June 2005 – December 2005
 
●  Resident Artist – Rose & Crown Art Gallery, El Paso, Texas, July 2008 – July 2009
 
●  “Art El Paso 2008” Exhibit, October 2008
 
●  “Vivid Perspective” Exhibit, Las Cruces, New Mexico, January 2009
 
●  “Eclectic Expressions” Exhibit, Main Street Gallery, San Elizario, Texas, July 2009
 
●  Resident Artist - Main Street Gallery, San Elizario, Texas, April 2009 – December 2009
 
●  Commissioned to create three art works to hang in a private collection, El Paso, TX, August 2009
 
●  Arts International 2009 Exhibit, El Paso, Texas, September 2009
 
●  Commissioned to create one large art work to hang in a private collection, El Paso, TX, April 2010
 
●  Commissioned to create one large art work to hang in a private collection, El Paso, TX, December 2010
 
●  “Five Shades of Gray” Exhibit, Crossland Art Gallery, El Paso, Texas, January 2011
 
●  “Fresh Start” Exhibit, Crossland Art Gallery, El Paso, Texas, January 2011
 
●  One-man show entitled, "Beyond Reality", Crossland Art Gallery, El Paso, Texas, November 2011