Mark Snyder

Artist Statement

Heavily influenced by historical and cultural events of my youth, I recreate these revolutions on canvas from my memory, inspired and lead by the feelings the remembrance gives me while I create the work. From Woodstock, the Civil Rights movement of the Sixties, the memories shared through storytelling from my elders about WW2, lead me to trying to find the beauty in whatever the fight was about. I have always been inspired by my immediate environment, which has influenced my medium and work over the years. Living at 9000 feet in Colorado, I was moved to use oils and paint large scale mountain scenes. Living in the Sonoran Desert inspired me to paint Native American imagery and icons in bright, contemporary colors. Living in Florida has challenged me to create graphically using many mediums, mixing to develop a texture and approach to living in an urban setting for the first time.

Biography

Inspired to create art from an early age, I have maintained a practice and a studio in my home for over forty years. With no formal training I consider myself to be self-taught, but inspired by the mid-century abstract expressionists, the pop and contemporary artists of the sixties, as well as the street and graffiti artists of modern day. While I have sold several pieces over the years to private collectors, and my work does appear in public places, I do not consider myself to be a professional or commercially successful artist.

Exhibition History (CV)