"States of Decay", watercolor and scissor drawn map, 8x12"

Inspired, in part, by the papercutting legacy of Hans Christian Anderson, Mark has generated a body of work from a variety of materials and sources. In recent years scissors have become his drawing tool and maps have become his muse.

"The scope of my work has morphed over a period of some 30 years from drawing to painting, from collage to assemblage and back again. I draw inspiration from a variety of sources that seem to find me more than I seek them out. At some point I began to fold paper and 'draw' with scissors... particularly maps or anatomy texts culled from flea markets or estate sales. I often incorporate opaque and transparent watercolor as an extension of the color palette printed on the charts. I find comfort in the creative and obssesive nature of these collages as each reveals a unique process and persona over time. New worlds emerge in oddly emotional interpretations of once familiar places.  There's an anticipation as they shift and evolve from factually printed documents to newly contained and potentially fulfilling places of possibility." MG

View more of Mark's map artworks on his portfolio website: http://markmgarrett.com

"Glacial", elevated scissor drawn map collage, ink, and watercolor on paper

"Tibet", watercolor and scissor drawn map