Mirror Mirror (Snow White) - Original
- Mirror Mirror’ is dark, it’s really dark but it’s also incredibly light. It’s inspired by ‘Snow White’ but the original version that was horrific in comparison to what we all think we know. That’s what inspired the ‘Storyteller’ works from the start, just how dark the original versions were that we were read as a child.
So, what you see here is the second of four chapters, it was written in reverse. Chapter four was ‘High Ho’, written in 2015 where you see her at her worst. Where all of the results of her actions are laid out in front of you in this abandoned church but there is still this hint of innocence there to give you this sense of empathy towards the character that you can’t see. The third chapter, 2018 ‘Fear Is How I Fall’, you see her within the Prince’s castle with everything that she loves around her but sadly still with her demons that are creeping out from behind the curtains, from the walls. The battles are still there and will ultimately see her falling and failing.
This is chapter two and shows the point where she has been saved, the seal has been broken from her coffin and she’s been set free by her Prince and by those that are trying to support her around her. That’s what the animals and the hints of the dwarves etc. symbolize. It’s a very, very beautiful image. The apple tree is dying and gnarled but there’s a point where it’s come back to life and it’s blossoming and it’s reaching out and touching the coffin, coinciding with where the dove is which is something that has always been used within my work for an incredibly poignant and personal reason. It shows that impact of someone, whether that is someone that you can physically see or one’s spirit that can make such a dramatic difference.
It’s everything that’s about the battles that ‘Snow White’ faced with her demons that raged within her head, as well as physically, whilst others are trying to protect her. The line ‘the struggle within, you seal your own coffin’ is from a ‘Metallica’ lyric that was on whilst I was consumed within the concept of the picture. You listen to a song on repeat to keep you where you need to be within it. This scene, this whole concept of ‘Snow White’ is someone who is genuine, who is wonderful, but someone who has got such intense demons that ultimately lead to her downfall but with these characters around her that are desperate to keep her where she deserves to be.
The wooden cottage in the background represents that industrious nature of the dwarves that are working so hard to protect. You have the animals coming out to surround the coffin. In complete contrast between the beautiful young deer and the wolf, you can look at it two ways. Is there a threat there or ultimately is it trying to protect? The all-seeing eye of the owl, again there is a conceptual thing there with seeing the dangers and trying to warn against.
The key part of this image is the mirror. This concept of who is the most fucked up of them all, that is crucial as it shows how ‘Snow White’ is battling the constant demons within, where it’s a ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ character effectively and what that does is reveal that actually there is no evil Queen, that it’s not a separate character, that instead it’s a trait, a split personality. That evil Queen lives within ‘Snow White’ and it’s her demons, her paranoia, her lack of self-worth that can lead her to making these decisions that she will ultimately fall with. The closer you look at the image the more you can see this battle with darkness and light. Hopefully from knowing this concept behind it makes the tiniest of detail incredibly poignant and powerful.
This picture really does personify why ‘Storyteller’ is so incredibly powerful and key for me, taking me back to years ago when the original chapters where created, it’s certainly a marker and it just shows why I am an artist, why I create what I do. It’s how I talk; it’s how I scream and probably for others it’s a lot easier to listen through looking.
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- Released: 2021
- Collection: Storyteller
- Edition Size: 1 of 1
- Specification: Embellished canvas with bespoke frame
- Image Size: 58” x 36"
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"