Mark Austin
Please can you tell us about your background and upbringing?
Born and raised in the high Weald in Hailsham, I spent a lot of time at my grandparents Farm near Heathfield.
Mum and dad were active members of the local church and we were encouraged to be creative and mix with people.
I have always had a passion for the outdoors and wanted to be a farmer but this changed when I did volunteer work with my dad at the Bluebell railway, spending one month in the civil engineering department.
This experience got me my first job as a construction technician and led to me leaving home at 16 and a 30 year career in the construction sector. I worked up from the shop floor and was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to do lots of different roles eventually becoming Innovation director of one of the UK’s largest construction companies.
Did you make art as a child?
I was actively encouraged to be creative as a child and was always making things / playing with Lego etc.
My grandpa was a model maker and my grandma was a watercolour artist. My grandma used to let me use the art studio when ever I stayed, which had a view up the valley from the family farm. My grandpa was always in the workshop, and I spent many hours in there with him learning different skills.
We had a dark room at home in the loft and I used to develop my own black and white photographs with my mum, who still to this day has a better eye than me for a competition winning photograph.
What is your earliest memory associated with art?
Helping set up local art exhibitions and shows. Both my grandpa and grandma were members of the Sussex Guild and used to regularly hold exhibitions in the local area. I remember stewarding at the local flower show exhibition when I must have been around 8 years old.
Please could you tell us who or what has had the most significant influence on you as an artist.
My grandma and grandpa, and my mum for her passion for photography.
Laterally my inspiration is with Gaudi, Kandinsky and Picasso, as well as David Nash for his wood sculpture.
Please describe your practice for us in 3 adjectives
Curiosity
Experimentation
Immersive
What is your artist muse? Your inspiration.
The unique patterns and moments in nature which I capture in sculpture, art and photography. I love walking and sketching in the Sussex landscape.
What motivates you?
Nature and the world around me. The desire to make a positive difference and share my artistic journey and story.
Please can you talk to us in detail about one piece of artwork.
The piece of artwork is bridge in the woods.
Bridge in the woods
I have walked that route for over 40 years and playing Pooh sticks on the bridge is somewhat of a family tradition going through the generations. Whenever we go to my parents we walk past and splash in the river.
There was for about 20 years a tree root which slowly moved down the river in storms until last year when it finally got stuck under the bridge and it was moved.
This year I decided to sketch the bridge on a Boxing Day walk, and the tree stump can be seen in the background. Something just came out in the piece as a drew by the fire and memories must have come out in the piece.
Please could you tell us about the piece of artwork you are most proud of, and why.
The piece of artwork I am most proud of is the flow series of abstract and surrealist works which are part of the artists residency. It is the first time I have been confident enough to show them professionally framed and in a professional exhibition.
What’s the best thing about being an artist?
The constant creative process and seeing where it takes you. Being mindful in the moment in an immersive experience whether en plein air, in the studio or workshop.
And the worst..!?
The uncertainty
What advice would you give to those aspiring to make a living out of art?
Be yourself. Make what means something to you and share your journey. People will always be supportive and provide advice and guidance. Be engaged in something bigger than yourself and collaborate.
What is the most important thing to know about you?
I love doing different things, and to get a balance and collaborate with other people in everything I do.
Please tell us one unexpected thing about yourself.
I made the worlds first full size rocking dinosaur ‘rocking Rex’ for my children