Mark Smollin is an American painter whose works reflect a flair for creating compositions that combine a reverence for concept, design, form, color relationships, line, and different techniques, in a single piece. His signature approach to the process of representational painting allows areas of the canvas to evolve at different rates with contrasting qualities that culminate in a dramatic and stimulating result.

“Painting is a mistress that holds my attention.”

The artist is currently evolving a contemporary series of environmental cloud paintings that illuminate interior spaces like windows connecting us to the ubiquitous sky. They focus of the splendor of the weather, illustrating how clouds add spice to our vistas, preserving special displays of nature indigenous to our lives, and documenting unusual atmospheric conditions rarely painted. Each piece has its own personality utilizing a variety of surfaces, mediums and techniques to herald clouds for their own magnificence.

Mark spent his childhood in Westport Connecticut where he was inspired by creative parents, famous local artists, and an exceptional high school art teacher who revealed the creative consciousness behind artwork. Following his initial interest in graphics, three years of experimental portrait painting were conducted in the hall closet after work. It was only big enough to place a card table inside, so self-imposed assignments were performed sitting or standing in the hallway. As an Army illustrator, his assignment at the Recruiting Support Center provided opportunity to learn about all aspects of exhibit design and production art; photography, typesetting, screen printing, metal and plastics fabrication, engineering, exhibit construction and transportation graphics. His duties included building and maintaining exhibits at the Pentagon, other federal buildings, and making Medal Of Honor awards for the President of the United States to present. Mark embarked on a three-month tour of Europe in the summer of 1979 after being honorably discharged, visiting all major museums in sixteen countries, photographing architecture and sculpture, and witnessing the basis of western art history first hand.

He now makes his home in Southern California where he graduated from Art Center College of Design as an illustration major. His paintings have been reproduced in national publications, supporting the advertising industry, book publishers, motion picture studios, actors and musical talents. He is the recipient of awards from the Society Of Illustrators New York, the Society Of Illustrators Los Angles and the California Art Club among others. Mark is now focused on producing compelling paintings and curating the Artscape Gallery in Pasadena.

Pasadena Society of Artists
2007 Art Exhibition, Whites Art, Framing & Restoration, Montrose, CA
2007 Art Exhibition & Sale, Los Angeles Arboretum, Pasadena, CA
2007 82nd Annual Exhibition, Viva Gallery, Sherman Oaks, CA

Playhouse District Association of Pasadena
2007 Playhouse District Association's Annual ArtWalk, Exhibition & Sale, Pasadena CA

Westport Schools Permanent Art Collection
2007 Mister Modem, 16” x 12” acrylic and colored pencil on canvas
2007 Fired, 12” x 12” acrylic and colored pencil on canvas

One-Man-Show at Vroman's Pasadena
1995 1 July through 30 Sep
12 Sports Posters depicting athletes moving through time and space.

California Art Club
1994 85th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition  "Win, Place, Show" 24" x 36"
1995 86th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition  "Swanasuarus" 24" x 36"

Society of Illustrators of New York
1992 ìIllustrators 34",  Book Section  #213
1990 ìIllustrators 32",  Institutional Section  #467
1989 ìIllustrators 31",  Editorial Section  #96
1986 ìIllustrators 28",  Advertising Section  #445
1985 Annual Scholarship Competition

Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles
1986 Patrick Nagel Award for Innovative Illustration
1985 Gold Medal and Two Special Judges Awards

Puget Sound Technical  Communication Competition
1987 Poster for Microsoft's "Quick Basic" application - Certificate of Merit

Smithsonian Institute, Washington,  D.C.
1976 Display Graphics for their exhibit "Apollo to  the Moon"
1975 Display Graphics for their exhibit "Our American Heritage"

Chicago Museum of Science and  Industry
1974 Murals for the military art exhibit