Interview

Written By Editorial Team

Mark Shevetone

Born in 1965 in Beacon NY, Mark is an artist based in Las Vegas known for his impressionist paintings that capture people, places and all the events in his life. Timeless and tasteful, or modern and messy, images in his life demand to be examined. Mark mainly uses acrylic paint to create highly textured, three-dimensional works on canvas. Mark’s paintings are meant to burst with energy, life and texture hoping that they might speak to the viewer in some way. You can catch Mark’s artwork around Las Vegas in casinos, restaurants, wineries and local/regional galleries. When Mark’s not working, he’s spending time with his wife Alicia and their English bulldog Belma hoping to catch the next expression to put on canvas.

 

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“I'm graduate of San Jose State’s art program, and my first influence was my great uncle Alfred Pizzarelli, an artist from New York City in the 1950’s-60’s. I used to look at all Alfred’s wonderful paintings and wonder “Who are these people?” and think they were trying to speak just to me by way of expressions and surrounding colors. My paintings are meant to burst with energy, life and texture hoping that they might speak to the viewer in some way just like my uncle's did.”

What inspires you?

“All the colors in nature and all the ways the art process helps me interpret what I see. I love to see how artists use color to make paintings speak to me. Each color has its own voice.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“Typically, I paint landscapes; however I have been known to do a few paintings of our English Bulldog Belma.”

How would you describe your work?

“Mostly impressionist style paintings that capture people, places and the events in my life. Timeless and tasteful, or modern and messy. Mostly messy.”

Which artists influence you most?

“I would have to say either Picasso, Van Gogh or Matisse. Just the way they are able to speak by way of canvas is incredibly inspiring.”

“All the colors in nature and all the ways the art process helps me interpret what I see. I love to see how artists use color to make paintings speak to me. Each color has its own voice.”

What is your creative process like?

“It's really a tornado of mistakes that somehow end up on canvas. I'll see a photo of a place and try to catch the elegance of the colors or maybe the expression of an animal. But the vision I start with and what I end up with are two different things. Most of the time it's flying by the seat of my pants.”

What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?

“To me, an artists role is to show everyone what they see and how they see it. I love artists interpretation of the world. It never ceases to amaze me. I see art evolving in many ways by using new technology and even AI. But nothing will replace a persons vision of how they see the world.”

Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?

“I just started a residency at Palate Restaurant in the Arts District downtown Las Vegas. It's a fantastic restaurant and it also has the world's first Cookbook Lending Library. It's a great place to grab a whimsical drink with dinner and check out some local artwork too!”

 
Editorial Team
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