Mark Kortnik Biography

 

 

Mark Kortnik  Through the medium of oil painting, Mark is inspired to paint very naturalistic representations from nature. Mark's paintings in this series are about more than what the current vogue in art expresses with its highly stylized "less is more" or "minimalist" painting. The emphasis of that subjective approach illustrates the feeling the artist has towards the subject rather than what he objectively sees. Mark states, " I am not interested in painting primarily my feelings about the subject, but instead what I truly perceive as reality in nature with all its color and light, texture and detail."

Artistically creative at a very young age, Mark has dedicated years to developing his unique skill at oil painting with the aid of his most influential art instructors . Early art school instructors encouraged Mark to pursue his talent and Mark credits them with his development today. In 1972 earning an A.A. degree from American River College and in 1977 a Bachelor degree in fine arts from Sacramento State University, Sacramento,California.

Mark met his artist wife in 1986 Carol McLaughlin, and moved to her home in Joseph, Oregon. Together they later opened their own artist business called Wallowa Lake Gallery in 1988. Some years later they decided to no longer rent space on main street and insteadbuild their newly renamed Aspen Grove Gallery in 2001. Aspen Grove Gallery was one of the first galleries in Joseph to open when the art boom hit started in the 1980's because of the prestige of the bronze art foundaries. Now after 35 years and hard dedicated work, it is now the longest established art gallery on main street, in the popular tourist destination of Joseph, OR.

Mark’s work has been featured in "U.S. Art", "Inform Art" and Eastern Oregon magazines for his combination of wildlife and petroglyph images in stunning compositions and more recently his beautiful photo-realistic oil paintings of the local wilderness landscape. For many years he and his wife Carol, were chosen to participate in the prestegious Western Masters art show in Great Falls ,Montana.  Mark's paintings have received  many first place & people's choice awards for their originalityin execution and design.

Currently Mark is producing paintings that portray the beautiful high lakes area of the Eagle Cap wilderness area in Northeast Oregon. Mark has hiked in and photographed many areas to use as reference for his studio paintings. Visitors to Joseph find these paintings a welcome sight towards a better appreciation of what this area has to offer them. In 2015 Joseph has the official state honor of being designated the first "art and cultural district" in Oregon.

You are invited to view Mark's paintings and meet the artist at his Aspen Grove Gallery.  This  gallery is a favorite stop for collector's of original fine art where they will find "Fine art dedicated to the natural world"

www.aspengrovegallery.com