Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Mark R. Pugh began creating art at a very young age. His parents and siblings all had an affinity for making art and encouraged Pugh to do the same. He often spent hours in his sketch book as well as studied the works of his favorite painters. Despite his love for making art, he did not pursue a career as an artist until later in his adult life. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in psychology he worked in the field, but lacked a passion for the work he was doing. He then changed course and enrolled in the Bridge Academy of Art in Provo, Utah. With the help of his mentors, Jeffrey Hein, Justin Taylor, and Michael Workman, he quickly adapted his skills and became an instructor after only one year in the program and went on to teach full-time.
In 2012, Pugh moved to Amarillo, Texas for a new job as well as to be close to family. Shortly after moving to Texas he was laid off. He used it as an opportunity to focus on his art and build a portfolio. Almost immediately, he was approached by galleries which he went on to work with. In 2014 he moved back to Utah for a new job, but with four kids, a fifth on the way, and a full time-job he realized he could not maintain his career as an artist. He quit is job in 2016 to focus solely on his art. Pugh drew inspiration from his old interest in fantasy and illustration. Combined with his academic training he developed a signature style rooted in realism and surrealism.
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 style infuses traditional realism with a surreal quality and elements of storytelling that allow him to explore themes of spirituality and human behavior.
“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.”