photo: Tom Wheeler Photography
Mark Reep (American, b. 1960) is an artist and writer whose work has appeared or is forthcoming in American Art Collector, Bluecanvas, Endicott Journal, Metazen, Drawing Magazine, Word Riot, and many other publications.
Mark’s dreamlike drawings blur natural and architectural elements, often in isolate, meditative context. Titles suggest narrative− small mysteries, abandonments and reclamations, new hopes built on ruins− but leave room for wonder. Mark says, “I draw found places. I’d call them imagined, but preconception doesn’t work for me. I value exploration, discovery at the drawing table, and enjoy refining detail and depth at an intimate scale– So my drawings offer viewers opportunity for close examination, further discovery as well.”
Drawing tools and materials include General charcoal pencils, Dixon Ticonderoga graphite pencils (Mark stipples a lot), Sakura Pigma Micron drawing pens (he sharpens those too). Strathmore Bristol Board, dirty kneaded erasers, clean Q-Tips. A magnifier he forgets to use. Lately, bifocals.
“I don’t plan much; I try everything in-drawing. What works best stays, but traces of abandoned directions and attempts (often, many) remain layered in there too, and contribute to the drawings’ depth.”
A self-educated artist, Mark has exhibited his drawings, photographs and stoneworks in galleries, museums and juried exhibitions since 1989. Many of Mark’s images are available as affordable postcards, greeting cards, and giclee prints. See the Prints page for links. Gallery representation: Jardine Gallery, Perth, Scotland.
For news and new work, visit Mark’s blog, and friend or follow on Facebook.