About The Artist - Mark J. Lusardi
It is believed that a person can follow the passage of time through dreams. Images, displayed in art or song, are the routes that an individual takes in accordance with the soul. The images that I create record the passage of my life. I call them Spirit Maps. I present to you a series of maps based on my life. Please take from them what you will, and form your own impressions. I hope that, in some way, you may see your own path reflected in the patterns.
Bio
I have been interested in art for as long as I can remember. I was first recognized as an award-winning artist in high school, where my pottery and photographs earned prizes from local to national competitions.
I studied fine arts at the University of Maine in Presque Isle under the tutelage of notable artists such as Anderson H. Giles and Mark Huff. A short course in raku, with James Lawton at the Haystack School of Art, served to inspire much of my future and current style.
After graduation, I applied my talents to a series of solo and juried exhibitions, and to teaching raku and design. I later enrolled in the Art Education program at the University of Maine at Orono. It was during this time that I began to explore watercolor painting. Away from my studio and kilns in northern Maine, painting was a means to design future ceramic works. Scraps of torn and textured paper and fabric are manipulated until a pattern emerges. Colors, textures, and patterns work together to produce an image reminiscent, and just as unpredictable, as my pottery.
As with all of my artwork, my inspiration comes from events in my everyday life. I enjoy outdoor activities - kayaking, bicycling, camping, and fishing. I love to listen to music. In my work you might see the colors of the sunset, or the shape of a song...
Credentials
Bachelor of Art's Degree - University of Maine, Presque Isle
Haystack School of Art - Deer Isle, Maine
Art Education - University of Maine, Orono
Testimonials
"Beautiful Work!" - Julie
"Thanks, Mark, for all the information and insights on Raku kilns. Your work is beautiful!" - Kristin
"We've purchased many of your pieces at the Stillwater Art Fair and love your stuff." - Don