Mark Clarke was born in Los Angeles, California, raised there, and later in a small town in central Kansas. His biggest loves growing up were his motorcycles and cameras. He enlisted in the US Air Force immediately out of high school and spent the next 21 years working on electronic equipment while traveling the world. The responsibilities of a career, raising a family, going back to college, etc., necessitated that his two passions be mostly put on the back burner. Upon retiring from the military, Mark began a new career as a computer programmer and again found time to resume his motorcycle adventures. To close the circle, his desire to exercise his creative side led him to invest in a modest digital camera in April 2019, 37 years after putting down his beloved Nikon FE 35mm film camera, which he still owns.
The things that most influence his work are his past and current travels, his fondness for abstract and impressionist art, his love of nature, and his desire to share with others. Those influences can be seen throughout his work. He especially values making a connection with the natural world and strives to communicate its beauty through his photographs.
Mark’s artistic journey is just beginning anew, recently stretching his artist arms to begin experimenting with encaustic photography. Beyond sharing his images with a growing audience on social media platforms, he has had his work displayed and sold in several local regional community art centers and galleries, the Symphony in the Flint Hills Art Exhibit, and in various local and regional publications.
You can find Mark on Facebook (www.facebook.com/markclarkephotos) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/markclarkephotos/).
Be sure to say hi if you stop by!