Sculptures
by
Mark Breithaupt
An Artist is Born
I have always been one to follow my passions through self teaching and doing. As a young boy growing up in Shreveport, Louisiana, I began developing my creativity by building elaborate forts from bamboo stalks I cut down near my home. Later, I helped my father, a masonry contractor, build commercial and residential buildings. After my father acquired his own manufacturing plant, I expanded my medium to metal, learning to weld functional art pieces from steel. In early adulthood, I traveled the United States and abroad working in the communications construction business. The aesthetic qualities of a well-constructed communications system trained my eye and fueled my desire to always be absorbed with physical form and aesthetics. In my early thirties I developed a passion for outdoor sports and began skydiving. I was fascinated by the artistic formations created by skydivers in freefall and the techniques we used to achieve them. I left the communications business and spent several years as a professional skydiving photographer and videographer. My connection with the form and movement of skydivers as an observer of human sculpture in motion influenced my decision to embark on the ever-changing forms possible through stone carving. My yearning to be totally engrossed in the technical and artistic process in a more personal way was further fulfilled. I gave up skydiving and rallied my skills for the most satisfying artistic pursuit yet.
Sonoran Desert Inspiration
Continually drawn to spectacular natural surroundings, Mark and his wife moved to their home in Phoenix adjacent to the Mountain Preserve. Inspired and grounded by the beauty and tranquility of the Sonoran desert and surrounding mountains, Mark applied his artistic talent to the creation of unique rock sculptures, fountains, and water features, combining the natural splendor of the native rocks with an artistic flair.
Mark’s first sculptures were fountains designed as landscaping features using schist and granite, native rocks found locally. Over time, his work evolved into pieces of sculpture with a water component, rather than “fountains,” and then to sculptures in and of themselves.
This evolution led Mark to expand his medium to include stones from around the the world, including onyx, marbles, travertine, sandstone, calcite, alabasters, and soapstone. His carvings explore each stone type to uncover it's unique qualities. Mark’s work encompasses a variety of abstract styles and the generous use of negative space.
"I like to push the limits of the material whenever possible to uncover each stone’s unique personality. My sculptures often start out as mental images put to paper, but my philosophy is that the stone gets the ultimate glory. I use my tools to discover it’s most natural expression in the context of my vision.”
Mark is a member of the International Sculpture Center.
Exhibits:
June/July 2006: The “A” gallery (First Friday Art Walk) downtown Phoenix, 6 sculpture fountains on display to the public.
August 4, 2006: Studio Tadd (First Friday Art Walk) group show: 2 fountains, 8 onyx sculptures
May 2007: Sedona Arts Center, group show through the month of May, 14 sculptures of various stones.
July/August 2007: Phase Four Studios, group show July through August, 8 sculptures of various stone types on custom incandescent and LED lighted display pedestals.
July 18, 2008: Frasher's Steakhouse and Lounge, solo exhibit for Farmer's Insurance, March of Dimes event, 20 sculptures.
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From the Celestial to the Terrestrial
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Visitors are welcome at the studio Monday through Friday 8AM to 5PM and by appointment on weekends. Viewing current works and purchases direct from the artist are available.
1217 W. Hatcher Rd. #26
Copyright 2006 Mark Breithaupt