We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mark Acetelli. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mark below.
Mark, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I always knew I was an artist, but the question was what kind of artist, Finding the path that suited me best took many years and multiple endeavors to find it. . . It was a process of elimination of doing and trying many different avenues, such as music, photography and even becoming a hairstylist. Until one day I stopped everything and went to the art store and bought a paint set. My thinking was I’d just kill some time and paint while I figure out my next move. My mother was a painter and she encouraged me to give it a try. That moment changed forever the course of my life and gave me a sense of direction and purpose.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am an artist living and working in downtown Los Angeles, My studio is located at the historic Bendix Building. My work is inspired by life’s introspective journey, from the ever-changing complexities of love, loss, birth, and transformation. I describe the context of my work as “Simple expressions of complex thoughts, by capturing the physical mixed with the spiritual.” I seek to evoke a feeling rather than a defined image. I am currently working on many new paintings and commissions and have an upcoming group show at Wonzimer Gallery this summer.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I think having a passion for something that you can’t deny is very important. That will give you the perseverance and strength to keep going when things get rough.
Practice makes progress, you must forget about perfection because you’ll never achieve it. And you will always feel whatever you are working on isn’t good enough. Just get it out there to the world. There will be always room for improvement, evolution, and change along the way.
Take chances, don’t stay in the shallow end, go into the deep water, that’s where the big fish are and you’ll be forced to swim without a raft. That’s where it gets exciting and you can create your best work.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
My parents got divorced when I was 4 and I was raised by my mom. From then on it was just the two of us. She was the most important person in my life and she was an artist too. She encouraged me to follow my passions and embrace my artistic spirit. She supported my vision and endeavors and was always there for me. I can’t thank her enough for all her support, I am the artist and person I am today because of her.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.markacetelli.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mark_acetelli/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.acetelli
Image Credits
All photos taken by Mark Acetelli
