Meet Mark Christy

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mark Christy a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mark, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

I believe my confidence and self esteem were products from many sources. My mother, learning to stumble to learn correctly, learning that better choices make a better future, instill promises made promises kept, be honest, be fair-right & just in all matters, love your neighbor as yourself (which means to the same level), continue to run a good race and improve upon yourself until the end

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’ve been interested in art/drawing as long as I can remember; and have drawings that I made since the age of 5.

I wanted to be a professional artist, but had to make an earlier decision to further my schooling or have a steady income to pay my bills. Before retiring May 2022, I was in the eyecare field in numerous roles for over 48 years.

My wife and I moved to Brainerd, Minnesota 2016 and a new art opportunity started to developed. I had been making unique and odd birdhouses and fish out of barn wood, birchbark and miscellaneous antiques. I was surprised at how many I was able to sell & decided that I wanted to become more creative in my art and not go down the road as a crafter but an artist. And that journey took me down the path of picking, purchasing & collecting vintage cans and antiques; and create more detailed and refined pieces which at that time were mainly birds & animals.

The more I made, the more I learned; and each piece became a bit more time consuming and more detailed. I felt that the more time I dedicated to each piece the more it became art and the interest in my art also began to increase.
I went from focusing on birds/animals to creating individuals whom I have noticed and observed their unique look or self expression- as well as historian figures that had a valuable past.

So the year of 2023 I decided to take the next step and enter specific pieces in juried art shows. Which has opened to door to a new audience and opportunities. My art is created by utilizing vintage & recycled materials, cut and flattened the cans, and then hand cut each piece out (special scissors or tin snips) and then mail or glue them onto a piece of wood. I do not add any paint to the pieces; and only access their natural & worn, weathered look.
There is nothing more enjoyable and rewarding than to know that someone has blessed you by enjoying, purchasing and hanging your art within their home. Each piece has a story and if you stop, stare and examine them you will begin to see so much more.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I learned that it sure took a lot of time to find, pick and purchase vintage cans, colors needed and that I had no clue that rusted cans could have value. Items that I used to step over or kick off to the side- where now items that I consider valuable instruments to create my art. In some cases like finding a jewel within the dirt. As I have grown, I have also found how kind people are and how they too keep their eyes open as they jog, walk, drive or visit antique shops or flea markets. It does your heart well knowing they care as much about your art as you do.

I also learned was not to grow weary.
The time to find the perfect materials and prepare them in advance takes a lot of dedication, band-aids and in one instance a trip to the doctor’ office for a tetanus shot. There is donated blood in every piece I make.

Then due to attempting to make each piece more detailed and better than the one before – they start to overwhelm you and never good enough. I’ll hang them for weeks/months and look at them daily to attempt to find flaws or areas that need improvement. I have been given great advice from other artist and friends. Which gives me a better outlook and understanding; and much more joy.

The one thing I also learned that helped bring more satisfaction was when I created real individuals. In most cases the piece brought as much or more joy to that person or their family members. Even at times, as they were informing me of what it meant to them- you could see the tears build up in their eyes. When that occurs- it becomes emotional for them, but he audience and the artist.

So never grow weary in doing well- art is just not about you – and surround yourself with people whom desire to help you on your journey.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

My mother had always wanted me to be an artist; or at the least continue on the road of enjoying to draw.
When I was very young she enrolled me into a class in which she had to drive 45 minutes. It may not sound far, but this was between taking care of 5 children, having a full time job and having a husband that was not around much. She kept so many of my sketches and drawings and why I have a collection of them today. She takes so much joy knowing that I am now actually doing what I’ve always wanted to do & become, and her kind and gentle words alone cut into the heart. She just turned 90 and I am blessed that I am able to share all of this with her

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057215268954&mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057215268954&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits

Bob Kindler