Growing up in North Shields, England, Mark Grieves was often chastised for being “a dreamer” in school. Since childhood, Grieves had ambitions to be an artist, but an altercation with an art teacher in school almost ended this dream. Though not expelled, the “foolish” incident hindered his chances of attending art school. Not one to be deterred from his dream, Grieves instead took up photography, and spent many years perfecting this skill. Luckily, much of what he learned while being a photographer transfers to the world of fine art: “Having an eye for photo is the same as imagining filling a blank canvas in composition terms.”

For Grieves, inspiration is everywhere, but his is mostly attracted to interesting shapes and the contrast between light and shadow. A fan of comic book artists, Grieves has created a painting style all his own that he has been able to showcase around Europe.