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Mark Faulkner, an artist from Otis, will display his abstract acrylic works at The Orphanage from April 25th through May 25th in an exhibit titled A Journey Within.
Mark studied at Metro State College in Denver and served in the U.S. Air Force. In 2022, he moved to Otis to retire after living around Denver and the foothills. Now, he looks forward to appreciating the beauty of Colorado’s eastern plains and becoming his more authentic self.
Mark says that he has been an artist all his life yet started to create works in summer 2018. Inspired by his daughter and her husband, they rented a studio in the downtown Denver art district on Santa Fe Drive. 910Arts is a collective of artists located in a converted industrial space. “A journey within” also describes a personal conversion process.
Although he is not formally trained in art, Mark’s life experiences with challenges and victories have influenced his artistic sources. “Art has become a means of self-exploration, enabling me to discover aspects of myself that were previously unknown or unacknowledged.”
Mark’s abstract art employs acrylics, water, and impasto technique. Each canvas is an exploration of emotions, ideas, or experiences through evolving techniques. Some pieces surface with difficulty, while others emerge effortlessly in a focused “flow state.” His style celebrates nature by evoking the discovery of ancient relics through color, tone, and shape.
Mark is part of GalleryOne962, a 3D virtual gallery, and had a 1st place win at the most recent Yuma Art Association Show. He co-wrote The Art of Vulnerability: Maqui Mack’s Journey Through Healing and Creation with Boky Atelier & Store, which is a retail space and online presence displaying luxury, creativity, and artistic expression through handmade items and original pieces for home or office decor. Mark shares his artwork and process on Instagram under the pseudonym MaquiMack.
The art show A Journey Within runs from April 25th to May 25th at the Orphanage, 300 S. Main Street, Yuma. Exhibition hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-4 pm, Sunday 1 pm-4 pm, closed Mondays. Join the opening reception on April 25th, from 5-8 pm, refreshments will be served.
