Mark Boyle | Plein air painter

• Artist Statement:

In my early years, I explored ravines and woods near my house. Often being late for dinner lost in another world. A serious interest in painting developed at 11 years old. As I recall, my first painting was of a rainbow trout. My parents hired local artists to instruct me privately during my teen years.

A person who really taught good basics was Carl Christophersen. In painting lessons, Carl taught me to divide objects into shapes and planes with hard and soft edges.

Nature impassions me.

I am on a constant quest for that perfect subject to paint. During my outdoor adventures, such as hiking or fishing, I am inspired by the things I find. It is important to me to bring home my experiences and share them in a painting. Some of the landscapes I paint are so remote that most people can’t view them. One of the most rewarding experiences is to set up an easel on a high mountain meadow and capture the true colors found there. Through photography, I’ve documented many of my trips into the wilderness. I later use these as references in my paintings.

The medium I use is primarily oil paint on fine grade Belgian Linen.

Awards⏭ and Exhibitions

• 2017 California Art Club's 106th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition, Autry Museum LA;
• 2016 "Reflections in Water" California Art Club, St Mary's College Museum of Arts CA;
• 2015 CM Russell Museum Live Art Auction & Show MT;
• 2010-2016 Howard Mandville Gallery Anniversary Show WA;
• 2010-2016 Howard Mandville Gallery Invitational Small Works Show WA;
• 2014 California Art Club 103rd Annual Gold Medal Exhibition, Autry Museum CA;
• 2013 California Art Club 102nd Annual Gold Medal Exhibition, USC Fisher Museum of Art CA;
• 2013 Cole Gallery Solo Show "Wilderness Wanderings" WA;
• 2012 "Artists for the New Century" Bennington Center for the Arts, VT;
• 2011 Oil Painters of America, National & Western Regional Juried Exhibitions, Waterhouse Gallery;
• 2010 Oil Painters of America, National & Western Regional Juried Exhibitions, Waterhouse Gallery;
• 2009 Oil Painters of America, Western Regional Juried Exhibition, Waterhouse Gallery;
• 2007 Oil Painters of America, Western Regional Juried Exhibition, Waterhouse Gallery;
• 2007 Oil Painters of America, National Juried Exhibition, Whistle Pik Galleries;
• 2007 Lee Youngman Gallery, Group Show CA;
• 2007 Edmonds Art Festival, Juried Exhibition WA;
• 2007 Cole Gallery, Group Exhibition WA;
• 2007 "Salon International" Greenhouse Gallery, Jury's Top 50, San Antonio, TX;
• 2007 "Art of the Animal Kingdom" - Bennington Center for the Arts, VT;
• 2006 Oil Painters of America "Western Regional Exhibition" Award of Merit, Calistoga, CA;
• 2005 Peninsula Art League, Best of Show, Gig Harbor, WA;
• 2005 "Salon International" Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX;
• 2004 Peninsula Art League, Honorable Mention, Gig Harbor, WA;
• 2004 "Heartland USA" Exhibition, Merriam, KS;
• 2004 Top 100 Arts for the Parks, Jackson, WY;
• 2004 "Salon International" Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX;
• 2003 Puget Sound Country Exhibition, Purchase Award, Grand Prize, WA;
• 2002 "Western Visions Miniature Show" National Museum of Wildlife Art, WY;
• 2002 Top 200 Arts for the Parks (three paintings) Jackson, WY;
• 2002 "Art of the Human Spirit" - Bennington Center for the Arts, VT;
• 2002 "Art of the Animal Kingdom" - Bennington Center for the Arts, VT;
• 2002 Painting Demo "Artist reference: Water and Skies" Northlight Books;
• 2001 Top 200 Arts for the Parks, Jackson, WY;
• 2001 "Art of the Animal Kingdom" - Bennington Center for the Arts, VT;
• 2001 "Western Visions Miniature Show" National Museum of Wildlife Art, WY;
• 2000 Birds In Art -Woodson Art Museum, Wasau, WI;
• 1999 Yellowstone National Park Purchase award, Arts for the Parks, Jackson, WY;
• 1998 Bird Award of Merit, Arts for the Parks, Jackson, WY;
• 1997 Published in "The Best of Wildlife Art" Northlight Books;
• 1996 Puget Sound Country Exhibition, Purchase Award, Grand Prize, WA;
• 1996 Birds In Art -Woodson Art Museum, Wasau, WI;
• 1996 The Artists View Exhibition - Woodson Art Museum, Wasau, WI;
• 1995 Individual Judges Award of Merit, Arts for the Parks, Jackson, WY;
• 1995 Bird Award of Merit, Arts for the Parks, Jackson, WY;
• 1992 Judges Award of Merit, Arts for the Parks, Jackson, WY.