Our community of artists is the core foundation of Artfinder. With such a vast community based in all corners of the world, we wanted to help them share more about their artist journey, their artistic process and technique and what inspires them. Today, we chat with one of our amazing printmakers, Mark Howard Jones.
Can you introduce yourself, where you are from and how long you have been with Artfinder for?
Hello, I am Mark from Hampshire UK and I have been with Artfinder for seven years.
How would you describe your work?
Drawing inspiration from the vibrant tapestry of my local Hampshire environment, my work relates strongly to a sense of place. I currently make colourful linocut prints and paintings that depict suburban scenes featuring dogs and their owners enjoying moments of exercise and connection in the park.
What influences you and your work?
Walking is the biggest influence on my work, followed by reading about psychogeography, social realist graphic novels, and looking at wordless books. Influential artists include Philip Guston and Grayson Perry.
What does your creative process involve?
I recall my walks as ‘memory maps’, in other words annotated line drawings recording incidents and points of interest, such as shapes, colours, textures, mood, conversations and incidents. My work is process based responding intuitively to methods and materials.
Have you changed as an artist overtime?
I've learned that I enjoy drawing from my memory and experimenting spontaneously, so I am continually surprised and challenged by the outcomes.
What’s your favourite artwork you created and why?
'Cut Loose', a linocut print of a dog and a person wearing blue shoes and tweed trousers, selected for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2023.
It’s a humorous artwork about going out into the cool air in a pop retro graphic style.
Every week at work we had a bonus ball lottery and I won. With the winnings I bought a rescue dog called Bruce. When I retired from teaching I made this linocut print to celebrate moving on and as gifts for my colleagues. The artwork's colour and texture symbolise my mixed emotions about being on the threshold of leaving and Bruce is pointing the way out, it's simultaneously a happy and sad feeling.
What do you think is the role of art/artists in society?
Artists have a crucial role to play in society, they shape opinion, contribute to cultural change, challenge stereotypes, encourage people to see in new ways, celebrate inclusivity and diversity.
What advice do you have for emerging artists looking to make a living out of their art career?
Be consistent, draw, draw, paint, paint etc. constantly, join art groups and societies, enter juried group shows. Build a support network and share your work. Remember it is a marathon not a sprint, don't follow trends and learn to be resilient, be true to yourself, make art that excites you and allow it to mature over time. Set your own high standards and constantly review what you do, don't measure your work against others.
Cover image via Mark Howard Jones
