BIO

Growing up in a small farm town in northern Connecticut, Mark Ross had an early interest in
painting, spending many hours working in oils with his father, often capturing the local
landscape. He found inspiration in the bucolic beauty of New England and in regional museums
especially in the works of Child Hassam, Thomas Eakins, and John Singer Sargent. Mark studied
art at Syracuse University, majoring in illustration with concentrations in painting and photography.
He earned his BFA in 1992. During his years in school, his interest in figurative painting was
fueled by his anatomical studies with painter Jerome Witkin. As well, Mark has found
inspiration in the work of Lucian Freud, Max Beckman, and Larry Rivers. The
focus of much of his work at this time is figurative painting and portraiture. Mark’s work is
also informed by his long career as an illustrator. His work has appeared in national
advertising campaigns for brands such as Acura, Hasbro and McDonalds, as well as,
publications such as D Magazine, Scientific American and Chicago Tribune.