Halloween-Hakuween

Two days before Halloween, Mark comes home unexpectedly with a large pumpkin bought at Publix. So we brainstorm for a design. We finally decide on Hakuin's frog and name our jack-o-lantern Hakuween.

Windows Art Project September 4--23, 2009

Mark created a piece titled "The Spirit of LeMoyne" for LeMoyne's Windows Art Project. It's a painting with a poem. Go check out the exhibit soon!

A Visit to Duck Pond Pottery, Brevard NC

On our way back from Connestee Falls, we stopped by Duck Pond Pottery shop on the side of the road to Brevard. Nick Friedman, the potter, fires his pottery in a hybrid kiln he made himself--it uses gas and electricity! Check out the shop if you're visiting the area!

Connestee Falls

Mark was sketching at Connestee Falls, located south of Brevard, NC.

Mark Meets the Obamas...

at the Pentagon City Mall! Yesterday we went into DC to visit the National Museum of the American Indian and the National Botanical Garden.

Big Creek-Great Smoky Mountains National Park

While Marilyn Faringer took us hiking at the Big Creek trail, Mark stopped to do some sketching.

5 Rings of Passion Exhibit June 12--July 10, 2009

For the Artists' League Summer Annual exhibit: 5 Rings of Passion, Mark submitted this acrylic on canvas painting titled "Rescue". He won a $35 Honorable Mention award! You may be wondering: Did Mark do this painting because it doesn't look like his style? Yes, he did paint this but it was during the late 80s when he was still painting with acrylic. Yes, it's OK to exhibit good work, whether new or old!

Please go see the exhibit! It's at the FSU Museum of Fine Arts (850-644-1299).

Allegro June 5--27, 2009

Last night, we attended the opening reception for Allegro at LeMoyne Center for the Visual Arts (www.lemoyne.org). Mark has 3 pieces in the group exhibit: 2 paintings and 1 clay vessel. Hope you can see the show this month!

Upcoming Exhibits!

Please view my artwork at the following upcoming exhibits!

Town Show, May 15--July, 2009 Tallahassee City Hall Art Gallery

Allegro, June 5--27, 2009 LeMoyne Center for the Visual Arts http://www.lemoyne.org/

Summer Art Show, June 1--July 27, 2009 Leon County Public Library, downtown branch

Artists' League Summer Annual 5 Rings of Passion, June 12--July 10, 2009, FSU Museum of Fine Arts http://www.artistsleaguefsu.org/

Hope to see you there!

Apalachicola Art Walk Saturday April 4, 2009

Come visit us at the Grady Market! We'll be in the back garden 12--4 pm (www.apalachartwalk.com) See you there!

"Creative Light" Exhibit March 6--27, 2009

Mark is exhibiting some ink paintings and a set of Heaven & Earth clay wares at the FAMU Foster Tanner Fine Arts Gallery. Hours are only weekdays 11 am--5 pm. Check out the show!

Creative Light Exhibit at FAMU

The Swamp Buddhas will exhibit their work at the Foster Tanner Fine Arts Gallery March 6--27, 2009. The opening reception is First Friday, March 6, 6--9 pm. Come out to see the show!

Year of the Ox

The Swamp Buddhas sponsored a Chinese New Year celebration at member Ann K's home last night. Mark painted a Year of the Ox sign for the yard and a variety of ox postcards for the guests. We had some really good food!

In Memory of Mom

Mark will exhibit this heart-shaped sculpture in memory of his mom who passed away this past December. He fused used cones in the kiln to create this piece, which will be in the FSU Faculty exhibit this month at the FSU Museum of Fine Arts.

Turkey Platter 2008

Mark won 2nd place in the juried turkey platter contest at FSU...

Featured Artist in Golden Review

There was an "Artist Spotlight" about Mark in the Golden Review supplement in the Tallahassee Democrat this past Sunday, November 9, 2008. Hope you got to see it!

Teaching at the Senior Center

Mark now teaches Artistry in Clay at the City of Tallahassee Senior Center on Mondays, 10 am--1 pm. Sign up today! Enrollment is on-going!

New Website!

Yes, we have upgraded to DSL with our phone company so now Mark has a new website:

www.markfletcher.embarqspace.com

Thanks for visiting!

Table Rock Painting/Poem

Yes, Mark has finished his piece for the Table Rock State Park artist-in-residency agreement. We finally got it photographed today.

Paint and Burn

Part of Mark's studio practice is maintaining spontaneity by making large-scale gestural ink paintings. He has to splash a lot of ink around to work out the compositions and keep his work lively. Working on big newsprint keeps the product from becoming precious, and makes "the process" primary. Artistic discoveries and (hopefully) some of that dynamic spirit are translated into finished works on clay and archival papers. Some of these big sketches becomes giftwrap or packing materials. Others are "offerings".