Please, introduce yourself, tell us a little bit about you.
My name is Mark. I live in upstate New York. Most of my time is spent in my room drawing. I cut my own hair and I have never owned a motorcycle and I have no plans to change either of those two things.
Recent, current or future projects you are involved in that you would like to share with us?
I am currently working on paintings, drawings and bumpy sculptures for a solo show at Mixed Greens Gallery, NYC this April. I have also been writing for a proposed book of jokes that will be illustrated with drawings that reference the growth of the modern mid-sized city.
What kind of things do influence your work?
I am influenced by the following; Captain Beefheart, Asger Jorn, Jacob Lawrence, the Minutemen, Tom of Finland, my wife, my nephews poetry, 1950’s baseball cards and this bird that keeps landing on my window sill.
How is your normal process of collaging? (idea or commission, where do you get your materials or find your images, which is your cutting technique, best way you have found to paste, where do you work and how, and very important: what do you do with your scraps)
I tend to make collages when I am not working on paintings or drawings. I find my images everywhere, flea markets, library book sales, junk mail….everything can be used. My style is fairly minimal. I don’t layer too many images. I think about collages as haiku, short, simple and direct. I like to use Yes paste and a stiff, square brush for application.
Wich is your latest discovery in the collage world? What advice can you give to a collage beginner?
I am not sure if I have any new collage discoveries but I tend to look back at artists like Romare Bearden, Matisse and many of the DADA publications for inspiration.
My collage for beginners advice is to just get started. It is pretty inexpensive to make a collage so start collecting, cutting and gluing and when you find something you like pin it on your wall and stare at it.
What do say your friends/family about your collage work? And, what do you do when you are not working on art?
I can’t say that anyone really comments on my collages. I suppose folks tend to say, “Nice”.
When I am not working on art I am probably showering, sleeping or eating.
Would you like to ask anything to John Baldessari? Shoot.
I really don’t have any questions for Mr. Baldessari. He seems to be doing pretty well without me pestering him.
Thanks
