My name is Mark and I am a self-taught freelance artist specializing in fantasy art. I began drawing around the age of 3, and it has been my lifelong passion all the way into adulthood. This type of art is the most enjoyable for me to work in, and comes most naturally to me.
I pull inspiration from many different artists and authors, such as P. Craig Russell, Michael T. Gilbert, Robert E. Howard, Michael Moorcock, STan Lee, Gary Gygax, Jack Kirby, J.R.R. Tolkien, Frank Frazetta, Boris Vallejo,Julie Bell, Brom, Simon Bisely, Erol Otus, Larry Elmore, Jeff Easley, and Jeff Dee (particularly) - all my favorites.
When I was a kid in the early '80s (I was ten in 1980), the drawings I saw on the covers and interior pages of early Dungeons & Dragons books are what inspired me to draw and paint fantasy art. Those images by Dave Trampier, Jeff Dee, Erol Otus, David Sutherland III, and Jim Roslof soon had me imitating. And it was easy for me. Because I'm a fantasy geek. So I've been creating scenes of wizards, dragons, and other mythical monsters ever since, and other subjects don't interest me all that much.
I use colored pencils, inks, acrylic paints, oil paints, watercolors, airbrushes, and computer software to create my artwork. My work has been used for books, magazines, posters, CD packages, T-shirts, cards, games, and much more.... even custom tattoos. My most noteworthy published achievements, for me anyways, would be all of my work for Troll Lord Games (Castles & Crusades), my illustrations for two Gary Gygax books (which made my day), as well as my illustrations for several issues of The Crusader magazine. My piece called "Vladina" has also appeared on the back cover of Heavy Metal magazine (March 2008 issue), and I've designed several black light posters for blacklight.com, featuring my artwork.
I'm really happy to be able show my art on a grand scale like this, and maybe inspire some other artist out there, as well as to have the potential to prosper through something that comes easily to me and that I'm passionate about. I feel truly blessed to have this gift, as I'm sure any artist will tell you the same.
I'm happily married, have two large dogs whom I adore, and own a home in Wisconsin in which I work out of.
Check out my website at http://portfolio.marjasall.com, to find out more.
