Mark R. Pugh began creating art at a very young age but did not pursue a career as an artist until later in his adult life. After earning a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Pugh decided to change course and develop his artistic skills with help from his mentor, Jeffrey Hein. Despite his relatively short time as a working artist, Pugh has placed in numerous art competitions and shown in galleries, museums, and private collections around the world. His paintings predominantly feature children in complex themes, and his style infuses traditional realism and classic illustration with whimsical, moody, storytelling.
"I am most attracted to works of art that are beautiful, well crafted, and tell compelling stories. For me to feel I have created a successful piece of art, I must achieve a balance between these three aspects: a strong narrative, technical mastery, and aesthetic harmony. It is my belief that a certain level of skill and creativity can elevate a work to professional excellence, but that it shouldn’t end there. Art should move the soul of the viewer, and if I don’t find myself similarly moved while creating it, I can hardly expect that of the viewer."
