Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Cooper.
Mark, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started out like like many other kids from my generation (generation X). My parents were at work most of the time, so I had to keep myself occupied. And when my parents were home they wanted us outside. So I spent most of my time alone or with my brother. That worked out in my favor as I got older cause it helped me be disciplined enough to stay practicing the things I was into. Mainly drums, art, and working out. Now as an adult I still spend most of my time alone doing the same things. Not so much physical activity as I used to do though since I started doing art as a job.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not it definitely has not been easy. My parents divorced and I moved around a lot as a kid. I was good at escaping into my mind though and finding comfort there. It got to where it didn’t much matter what was happening around me because I had already mentally checked out. Then when I got older I was in a metal band for several years and that got me into trouble. There were some setbacks there. That’s when I became more of a loner and decided I liked making art more because I didn’t need anyone else to do it. It serves as both a coping mechanism and I also feel a sense of achievement when I finish something.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’ve been a digital painter for the last 20 years, although I started off with painting and drawing. I was drawn to computers though. I’m still obsessed with working digitally. Its pretty much all I do from the time I wake up till i pass out.
I’ suppose I’m most proud of doing my thing and not letting people tell me I can’t.
What sets me apart is probably how i can stick to one thing for a long period of time and grind it out. That’s the only way to get the art looking the way i want. I do get limited by time though when I’m working for others. And I don’t have quite the same energy that I had 20 years ago. That’s sort of a good thing though because I am able to pause and look at what I’m doing. Its harder to do that when you’re drunk on youthful energy. As for the work itself setting apart, I have my own style. I haven’t seen anyone that draws the same way I do. And ai can’t copy me either. The problem with ai is it has to train off of images on the internet. And i tend to draw in tight details that don’t show up that clearly online, yet you can still see what’s going on. The ai can’t figure me out. It would need the full size images to do so. I tried to make it copy my style and it always adds weird details that don’t make sense, which ruins the feel of it. I feel bad for artist with a more simple style though. They must be going through a lot. The only thing there that kind of makes me not feel so set apart is how people that aren’t artists don’t have an artist’s eye. So they are not going to notice the difference or care. And that bothers me.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I’ve listened to a lot of Mark Passio. He’s a teacher of natural law. I would say he’s one of the greatest teachers on the internet. I try to tell everyone I know about him cause he has it figured out.
If you’re not ready to listen to all of his material, don’t bother cause most people will reject his teachings unless they take it extremely seriously and listen to ALL of his work. Not just one podcast.
Other than that i like to listen to people talk about health and supplements. And I spend a lot of time studying psychology.
Pricing:
- logo designs (lettering) $150 and up
- T-shirt Designs (line art) $500 and up
- Digital paintings $500 and up
- Traditional paintings $1000 and up
- Royalties for commerical use, 10% of earnings after the first $10,000 made up until the art is no longer used.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://markcooperart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markcooperartcom/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markcooperartcom
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@markcooperartcomofficial
Image Credits
All images made by me.
