Painter of Light
Mark has developed an international reputation and has won numerous awards, both in his native Canada and in the United States. A dedicated painter, Mark Lague was born in Lachine Quebec in 1964 and he has had a fascination with drawing since childhood, a skill he practices constantly, even to this day. Upon graduation from Montreal's Concordia University in Design, Mark embarked on a 13-year career in the animation industry, working primarily as a background designer and art director. During this time, despite working full time, he began receiving international acclaim for his watercolour paintings through competitions, juried shows, and solo exhibitions. In 2000, Mark switched to oil as his primary medium, and in 2002 made the jump to full time painter. As an artist he is a realist, who is open to virtually all subject matter. What keeps him excited about painting is his endless quest to simplify and get to the essence of whatever he paints. Mark has been featured in numerous national art magazines, and continues to receive international recognition for his distinctive style of painting. Solo Exhibitions Smith Klein Gallery - Boulder Colorado | May 2006, May 2007, May 2008, May 2009Lesley Levy Fine Art - Scottsdale Arizona | March 2007, March 2008Waterhouse Gallery - Santa Barbara California | Nov. 2005, Nov. 2006, March 2008Brazier Fine Art - Richmond Virginia | May 2005Galerie Art & Culture - Montreal Quebec | Oct. 2003McCord Museum - Montreal Quebec | May 2003 ("McGill Series" hosted by Marchant Gallery)Marchant Gallery - Lancaster Ontario | Oct. 1997, May 2000Galerie de la Ville - DDO Quebec | Nov. 1998 Juried Exhibitions Oil Painters of America 2005 | Hilligoss Gallery - Chicago IllinoisOil Painters of America 2004 | Howard/Mandville Gallery - Kirkland WashingtonSalon International 2002,2003, 2004 | Greenhouse Gallery - San Antonio Texas | 2004 Plein Air Magazine Publisher's Award American Watercolor Society Annual Exhibition 1996, 2003 | Salmagundi Club - New York New YorkOil Painters of America 2002 | Brazier Fine Art - Richmond Virginia | Award of Excellence American Artists Professional League Annual Exhibition 1996, 2002 | Salmagundi Club - New York New York | 2002 American Artists Fund Award |