MARK WILKINSON - ARTIST
A LIFE DEVOTED TO ART!
Sometimes, you meet people and, after spending a little time with them, you realise that they’re devoted to their craft. They live it, they breathe it, and they will keep doing it no matter what! Their passion is woven into everything they do. But it’s not just what they do—it’s who they are! Whether celebrated or unnoticed, they carry on with the same intensity and drive to always be doing their ‘thing’. Artist Mark Wilkinson is one of those people and he agreed to tell us more about his journey on The Creative Nowhere Land Podcast.
Mark has devoted his life to the pursuit of creating. From an early age, it was drummed into Mark that you can take anything and turn it into something—whether it’s a simple line on a blank page or the deeply personal feelings of heartbreak, it can all be turned into something of value. Well, Mark took that and then ran with it and has never looked back!
Mark has worked across many mediums but is now predominantly known best for his screen printing and paste-up work. His work can be seen globally, whether viewers know it or not. His screen printing and paste-up art adorns walls in cities worldwide, from Birmingham to Buenos Aires. Maybe you’ve already seen it?
IN THE STUDIO…
Mark recently invited me to The Birmingham Printmakers to show me behind the scenes while he made some prints and I took some portraits while he worked. It was fascinating to see Mark work and to learn more, not only about his style and characters but also about the screen printing process itself. So much so that I’ve signed up to do one of the screen printing workshops that The Birmingham Printmakers offer so I can have a go myself.
If this is something that you’re interested in trying as well, then all of the information about upcoming workshops can be found on their website or social media.
PASTE UP!
After seeing the creating in the studio and our portrait session, Mark wanted to show me some of his favourite paste-up areas. Now, I can neither confirm nor deny whether any pasting up was done, but what I will say is that it’s great to see so many artists of all different types coming together as part of the paste-up community to decorate and fill the streets with art. There was so much to look at and to be inspired by. And, what a great way for artists to get their art seen by lots of people, whether consciously or subconsciously, as they go about their day.
MARK WILKINSON - CNL PODCAST.
To find out more about Mark's creative journey. Listen to The Creative Nowhere Land Podcast.
Mark talks about his early days living in, his words, abject poverty in his studio, making art and music, but very happy, to his band almost being signed by EMI, having all of his art dreams nearly come true, moving to Serbia to run artist colonies, falling in love, falling out of love, moving back to England and getting a quote-unquote normal job, consistently creating and trying to get better as an artist.
Mark goes into detail about his process and how one creative mistake has led to his longest ongoing art project. Mark also shares the deeply personal story about how art and finding paste-ups in some way have helped him recover from a major illness. Being outside, walking in the fresh air, being surrounded by like-minded people, sharing his work with the world and feeling even subconsciously like he still exists and has a purpose have all contributed to his recovery.
Mark's journey is super interesting and full of twists and turns. His lifelong passion for creating and dedicating his time to art has led to a life well spent, and is an inspiration to all of us, whatever journey we're on and at whatever stage to embrace our passions as we only get one chance at life. We have to be devoted to it!
Click below to listen now!
To see more of Mark’s work be sure to check out the links and social media. And if you’re interested in giving some printing a go then get in touch with The Birmingham Printmakers.
MARK WILKINSON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/markwilkinsonartist
SGT WILKO INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wilko.official
BIRMINGHAM PRINTMAKERS WEBSITE: https://www.birminghamprintmakers.org/
BIRMINGHAM PRINTMAKERS INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/birminghamprintmakers/
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Until next time…