Mind Games (Matilda) - Original
- My concept, set within a classroom at Crunchem Primary School plays out a number of examples where the characters embark on mind games against each other to gain control, where bullies prey on the ‘weak’ and the timid expose a darker side.
Is Matilda that powerful in mind that she really can create such pranks and scares or is it all an act? If it is an act then an act of what? Key areas of interest where this is present within the scene are picked out with magical detail, is this a phenomenon or just your eyes playing tricks on you?
Key battles within the story are shown within the scene, Matilda vs Miss Trunchball who mocks and scalds yet is clearly of a fragile disposition. Trunchball vs Miss Honey where the hollow digs at the young woman are small fry compared to the lies and deceit that she has committed. The battle between TV and books is played out, with not only Matilda showing her destructive force against the devils’ box but the librarian Mrs Phelps getting torn into for her love of books and support of Matilda. Is Matilda working alone? Is this all the work of just one child or have others been pushed one step closer, where they are about to break?
As well as the dominant visual signs of disruption and rebellion within the classroom there are subtle scrawled messages on the back wall and the ageing desks that expand on this, I went for this especially as it has that side to it that mimics the classroom banter and name calling, petty albeit with a dollop of truth as the ignition. There is anger towards Matildas’ parents scrawled against the wall that builds to the point where a car gearbox has been smashed into a TV. This is a reference to her Dad being a mechanic who fills customers gearboxes with sawdust to swindle money. Driving (excuse the pun) the metal down into the TV is a sign of absolute disgust at Matildas’ parents who embrace the TV and how they treat people that trust them.
The battle between dark and light is evident in this piece and shown by the contrasting cold and industrial looking interior, spooky staircases, corridors and claustrophobic cupboards that we all remember compared to beautiful lighting and clear white walls. The room itself has been created from scratch, to deliver an intriguing scene that offers so much detail to study but where the intense detail is complemented with open spaces.
If you look deeper you will see that the darkest example of control and bullying is shown at opposing corners of the scene. You have the haunting chalk message on the blackboard (do ghosts really exist? Or do people just know too much?) that shows that Miss Trunchball has been keeping Miss Honey’s money from her. If you then look to the piano you will see how the magical detail that surrounds the books and leads to the hammer and then onto the smashed up part of the piano to reveal where the moneys been hidden.
All in all the piece showcases the destructive powers of the mind when used for ones own benefit, to control and confuse others to the point where you cant believe what your own eyes are telling you. -
- Released: 2016
- Collection: Storyteller
- Specification: 1 of 1 original framed embellished canvas, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 48” x 36"
- Framed Size: 54” x 41"
Commissions
When workload allows Mark embraces client commissions and has enjoyed amazing success to date. If you have been inspired by the work that you have seen and have a specific idea or simply a seed then please do get in touch.
Commission EnquiriesRelated Items
We are the Dreamers of Dreams (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) Story Book - Original
- Welcome inside my mind, strange isn’t it! Many of you won’t know that this is the third piece that I have done on this classic story and film. The first two pieces were created as commissioned works back in 2015 when I first created my ‘Storyteller’ body of work. ‘Charlie’ and ‘Sink or Swim’ were obscure, narrative driven and dark, darker that one of Wonka’s bars of chocolate lodged in Augustus’ deep crevasses and folds! Really?! Sorry, like I said, welcome inside my mind!
‘Wolves, Wonderment and Wanderlust’ is a truly balanced boutique ‘Storyteller’ collection, it is dark, light, and downright bizarre, guess which one this falls under. The brilliant story writing (not by me!) lends itself to falling into all three but I have wanted to create a quirky and bizarre piece on this classic for an age so now was the perfect opportunity! As with my ‘Wind in the Willows’ piece, there is a vast number of opportunities to create a whole range of pieces on this masterpiece, but I must save some room for later! (You get it right?!)
As a kid, I remember the Roald Dahl books well and I will without doubt do a collection purely on his genius storytelling. Without a doubt though, the film that starred the amazing Gene Wilder is what stirs up my fondest memories, it just has everything! You know how I love to show the proximity of darkness and light and how they are interwoven, and the film does that and more. I just love it. The settings within the factory are iconic as well as the much more recent version that starred the brilliant Johnny Depp. It was crucial that my version didn’t end up being influenced by either of those, that would have been lazy and too easy. So, what you see is a glimpse inside my mind, my imagination. I hope you like it.
‘We are the Dreamers of Dreams’ takes the ‘Wonderment’ spot from this collection. The aim was to create that open mouthed reaction if you were to walk into the cavernous opening within the factory. Just don’t keep your mouth open too long, way too many parrots and toucans up there! There’s a lot to take in eh! The intensity of the backdrop is nuts, and that’s before you even notice the paddle steamer! There’s no earthly way of knowing which direction that’s going! Well, it’s heading into a tunnel but what lays in wait? That’s where you come in, I’ll pass the wheel to you.
The serene chocolate river is a contrast to the powerful waterfall that cascades downwards. That detail was introduced from my love of challenging myself technically. ‘Hey You Guuuys’ (Goonies) was a much earlier piece that featured magical waterfalls within a cave and I was waiting for a new opportunity, so here we are. This piece is a classic example of how I set off on a journey creating the scene but without being too concise and pre-planned. I wanted it to evolve, to go off on random deviations as my imagination opens up. I guess that is what makes artists different to another, it’s how your mind works that makes the piece authentic and true.
I wanted to inject an industrial quality but with a cute and colourful approach so that is why the pipes that transport god knows what are shaped as plastic bendy drinking straws. The ‘steam punk’ inspired paddle steamer is like no other. I didn’t want to use something like the films as like I said before, too easy, and if you have read my ‘Wanderlust’ narrative you’ll know why! The control rooms that are set within the rock walls are inspired by Gaudi’s architecture – drawing from a past art trip to Barcelona in my college days. Memories stick don’t they, it’s great to be able to bring this into my work in such a different way than I maybe planned back then.
Like I mentioned before, I love the dark element to the films, how it flips from light to dark without warning. I love the morals that are conveyed in the storytelling and especially the greed element. Since 2016, I have used the line ‘Greed Breeds Monsters’ in my work and it sits perfectly here. Greed really does breed Wonkas! If you hold that thought and seek out an element within the scene it can help to position what you are seeing. My lips are sealed shut, as if holding a handful of everlasting gobstoppers in my, well, gob!
So why the flamingo? Why not! My 2021 ‘Open Door’ piece was an earlier example of me opening my imagination and showing my random way of thinking. Is it the same one? Maybe, why not? They run for miles yet look like they skip leg day. Joking aside, I really do hope that I have done this justice, I know I am proud of it but when you are referencing such brilliance in storytelling there is quite some pressure there. I share an un-wanted affiliation with the battles that Gene Wilder faced, and I would love to think that my work would capture his sparkle and raise a smile if he could see. Rest in peace Gene. X We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams, life is way too fucking short, it really is.
We really don’t know what the future holds so embrace now, think bigger, dream bigger, be brighter, act with integrity and be authentic. Be a bit more Wonka!
-
- Released: 2022
- Collection: Wolves, Wonderment & Wanderlust
- Edition Size: 1 of 1 Original
- Specification: Mixed media original piece, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 32” x 24"
- Framed Size (Approx): 38” x 30"
We are the Dreamers of Dreams (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) - Original
- Welcome inside my mind, strange isn’t it! Many of you won’t know that this is the third piece that I have done on this classic story and film. The first two pieces were created as commissioned works back in 2015 when I first created my ‘Storyteller’ body of work. ‘Charlie’ and ‘Sink or Swim’ were obscure, narrative driven and dark, darker that one of Wonka’s bars of chocolate lodged in Augustus’ deep crevasses and folds! Really?! Sorry, like I said, welcome inside my mind!
‘Wolves, Wonderment and Wanderlust’ is a truly balanced boutique ‘Storyteller’ collection, it is dark, light, and downright bizarre, guess which one this falls under. The brilliant story writing (not by me!) lends itself to falling into all three but I have wanted to create a quirky and bizarre piece on this classic for an age so now was the perfect opportunity! As with my ‘Wind in the Willows’ piece, there is a vast number of opportunities to create a whole range of pieces on this masterpiece, but I must save some room for later! (You get it right?!)
As a kid, I remember the Roald Dahl books well and I will without doubt do a collection purely on his genius storytelling. Without a doubt though, the film that starred the amazing Gene Wilder is what stirs up my fondest memories, it just has everything! You know how I love to show the proximity of darkness and light and how they are interwoven, and the film does that and more. I just love it. The settings within the factory are iconic as well as the much more recent version that starred the brilliant Johnny Depp. It was crucial that my version didn’t end up being influenced by either of those, that would have been lazy and too easy. So, what you see is a glimpse inside my mind, my imagination. I hope you like it.
‘We are the Dreamers of Dreams’ takes the ‘Wonderment’ spot from this collection. The aim was to create that open mouthed reaction if you were to walk into the cavernous opening within the factory. Just don’t keep your mouth open too long, way too many parrots and toucans up there! There’s a lot to take in eh! The intensity of the backdrop is nuts, and that’s before you even notice the paddle steamer! There’s no earthly way of knowing which direction that’s going! Well, it’s heading into a tunnel but what lays in wait? That’s where you come in, I’ll pass the wheel to you.
The serene chocolate river is a contrast to the powerful waterfall that cascades downwards. That detail was introduced from my love of challenging myself technically. ‘Hey You Guuuys’ (Goonies) was a much earlier piece that featured magical waterfalls within a cave and I was waiting for a new opportunity, so here we are. This piece is a classic example of how I set off on a journey creating the scene but without being too concise and pre-planned. I wanted it to evolve, to go off on random deviations as my imagination opens up. I guess that is what makes artists different to another, it’s how your mind works that makes the piece authentic and true.
I wanted to inject an industrial quality but with a cute and colourful approach so that is why the pipes that transport god knows what are shaped as plastic bendy drinking straws. The ‘steam punk’ inspired paddle steamer is like no other. I didn’t want to use something like the films as like I said before, too easy, and if you have read my ‘Wanderlust’ narrative you’ll know why! The control rooms that are set within the rock walls are inspired by Gaudi’s architecture – drawing from a past art trip to Barcelona in my college days. Memories stick don’t they, it’s great to be able to bring this into my work in such a different way than I maybe planned back then.
Like I mentioned before, I love the dark element to the films, how it flips from light to dark without warning. I love the morals that are conveyed in the storytelling and especially the greed element. Since 2016, I have used the line ‘Greed Breeds Monsters’ in my work and it sits perfectly here. Greed really does breed Wonkas! If you hold that thought and seek out an element within the scene it can help to position what you are seeing. My lips are sealed shut, as if holding a handful of everlasting gobstoppers in my, well, gob!
So why the flamingo? Why not! My 2021 ‘Open Door’ piece was an earlier example of me opening my imagination and showing my random way of thinking. Is it the same one? Maybe, why not? They run for miles yet look like they skip leg day. Joking aside, I really do hope that I have done this justice, I know I am proud of it but when you are referencing such brilliance in storytelling there is quite some pressure there. I share an un-wanted affiliation with the battles that Gene Wilder faced, and I would love to think that my work would capture his sparkle and raise a smile if he could see. Rest in peace Gene. X We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams, life is way too fucking short, it really is.
We really don’t know what the future holds so embrace now, think bigger, dream bigger, be brighter, act with integrity and be authentic. Be a bit more Wonka!
-
- Released: 2022
- Collection: Wolves, Wonderment & Wanderlust
- Edition Size: 1 of 1 Original
- Specification: Mixed media original piece, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 48” x 36"
- Framed Size (Approx): 54” x 42"
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Wanderlust (The Wind in the Willows) - Original
- I have fond memories as a child of the beautifully illustrated books by British novelist Kenneth Grahame and the classic film that evokes vivid images of past Christmases with my family. The characters were just so quirky and great and the whimsical English riverbank scenes were the perfect backdrop, along with the contrasting darkness of the weasels and the wild wood.
It's funny, as I sit here and write this narrative to accompany this piece there is a beautiful weeping willow tree and it’s flipping windy! The only thing is it’s mid-February so there are bugger all leaves on it but there are the small signs of buds forming. I love it when I see these as I love when Winter turns to Spring, something that I use a lot in my work as a concept. The only downside of seeing these little green lumps is that it also shouts to me that I have to soon start on the preparation for the next collection later in the year!
Way back in 2015, there was a commissioned piece on The Wind in the Willows entitled ‘Appetite for Destruction’ – no, the Guns and Roses belter wasn’t part of the soundtrack, imagine that! Basically, my interpretation of the stories back then was a surreal one, and a dark one at that. It focused on the self-destruction of my favourite character, Toad! I loved his eccentricity and chaos. That piece is one to seek out as it plays out the point where Toad Hall is in flames and burning and all that remains is his cherished sports car that sits beneath a beautiful willow tree. Details that surround the car suggest a dark scenario, it’s beautiful and dark.
However, despite fighting the urge to inject darkness whilst creating ‘Wanderlust’, I am so pleased with what you now see. The aim was to create a truly beautiful and serene piece that would sit perfectly with ‘Keep Me in Your Heart’, my earlier ‘Winnie The Pooh’ piece that captured the imagination of so many. It’s great to really mix things up as an artist and my ‘Wolves, Wonderment and Wanderlust’ represents exactly that. I love switching from a quirky retro inspired piece to a really dark and intense scene and then dropping something like this that is just utterly beautiful and light.
There is so much potential to create many pieces based on the The Wind in the Willows, the Wild Wood appeals and I will tackle that, but ‘Fight or Flight’ takes that spot in this collection as it is set within a dark forest. Next time, next chapter. I love the river; I hate rowing boats! Well, that was born from being petrified as a kid on a boating lake in Ypres – Belgium and I don’t think I’ve been in one since, a swan pedalo doesn’t count right? I set about basing this piece on the river, not only because I knew that it would become a wonderful image, but I like to test myself and working with water and the reflections is a challenge to get it right. Especially when you have little points of reference to guide you when you choose to have a goggle wearing toad and smiling mole frolicking (that’s a great word isn’t it!) in the water.
Wanderlust represents a strong desire to travel, so I thought it a fitting title for what you see before you. I have built on that and evolved it to become the desire to be free also, in whatever form that happens to be. I love to connect with my collectors in many ways and this image is a classic example of one that can simply be enjoyed as a beautiful and happy image, whilst also representing a secondary meaning. Whereas my earlier commissioned piece was more obscure, ‘Wanderlust’ is true to the sentiment of the story. Don’t you just love seeing how proud old Badger looks as he sits on the boat looking out at his companions. It’s the tiny details that I inject that transform what could be quite a sterile element and make it magical and full of emotion.
I hope that I have done this fascinating classic justice in my approach, whilst also hoping to have captured the hearts of those who see much more. Look closely at the detail and you’ll see the subtle butterflies and dandelions that float upwards and towards the sun. It’s that sense of being free that I hope will resonate and bring comfort to many. That can be on many levels but ultimately it is a call to let yourself go, to travel, have fun and be free, however you choose.
So, grab your bathers and let’s go boatin’! Actually, I’ll just watch from the riverbank with a beer, you’ll find me under the balding willow tree!
-
- Released: 2022
- Collection: Wolves, Wonderment & Wanderlust
- Edition Size: 1 of 1 Original
- Specification: Mixed media original piece, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 48” x 36"
- Framed Size (Approx): 54” x 42"