The human being is a constant source of inspiration in my life and my art. I am fascinated by the diversity in look and personality that molds us due to culture, ethnicity and environment. I consider the human figure a canvas within my canvas.

I start with my subject and consider the challenge of how I can improve upon what is already so beautiful. I look for interesting traits of the human figure beyond the surface such as talents, beliefs, desires, fears, etc. that amplify and focus so the viewer can look at the figure in a different and more honest way. My goal in every painting is to maintain a sense of sensuality and sophistication, regardless of there being disturbing or uncomfortable aspects to the subject.

My graphic design background has given me a strong attraction to texture, typography and pattern. I approach my subjects with texture in mind both figuratively and literally. The result is often exotic and ornate, but not going so far as to distract from the story I am trying to tell and overwhelm the viewer.

I consider myself a portrait artist, but not a conventional one. It has become critical for me to portray the human figure in a revealing and provocative way that draws the viewer in wanting to know more.

 

Biography

Mark O’Connell was born in Grafton, North Dakota in 1966. Mark’s parents, Jim and Judith, moved his sister Shannon and him to Alaska looking for opportunity in 1968. The entire growing years were spent in various parts of Alaska.

Mark found that Alaska’s darkness and isolation were not creatively inspiring and took the first opportunity to become an exchange student to Japan for two months in 1982 and then Australia for the year of 1983. The exposure to different cultures, and the reality of how different the world outside of Alaska was, became the inspiration needed to mature quickly as a person and focus his creativity.

College began at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington leading to the American College in London, U.K. and then earning a B.F.A. in graphic design and illustration in 1989 at the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, Oregon. Love for the commercial art world quickly faded after computers began to take over the field, and the pursuit of more hands-on creativity became a necessity. The design and production of decorative home products and hand painted clothing for retail stores became a constant in Mark's life for many years. A move to Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1993 for two years in the high desert proved advantageous as the focus of creativity moved towards fine art.

Moving to Seattle, Washington in 1995 was an important move for seeking more opportunities. Mark worked in visual merchandising for several years with Nordstrom until branching off into his own freelance business and putting more focus on the fine art. Keeping the creative spirit diverse, Mark produced a line of edgy shirts under the label of B-ware! and sold in Seattle area stores. Shortly after the move to Seattle, Mark met his partner Michael Hytinen who has been an incredible support and inspiration in his life and art. The next chapter in Mark’s life will be a move to Barcelona, Spain where the fine art will continue and the creativity of life will continue to flourish.