Mark Bettis has been in the arts his entire life.

From growing up in a musical family which owned a successful music business, to working as a Art Director for large Chicago agencies, his love of art came full circle after he moved to Asheville. It was here that he developed his love for painting.

He began painting in his garage studio with a process called ‘Encaustic’, which uses a heated wax mixed with a oil-based pigment. He then moved into another medium called Cold Wax. When a small studio became available in the Wedge building in the River Arts District, Mark quickly leased the space.

His passion to create larger abstract paintings caused him to look for a larger space to work and sell his paintings. His wish came true when a friend offered him her space at the Wedge located on Roberts Street. He now has a large studio space and a gallery area, where he also carries three other artists’ works.

While he does sell work from his studio/gallery in the Wedge, his work is sold in various galleries throughout the United States.

Though Mark is known for his abstractions he recently put together a collection which he calls his ‘Spirit Animal Series.’

“I’m especially proud of this collection as it is the marriage of the abstractionism that I’m known for, with the realism of these spirit animals – found especially in their eyes, which are typically referred to as the window of the soul. I find this very fitting, given the subject matter,” Mark explains.

This series was a success with people – one of his pieces, ‘The Raven’ was selected to be in ArtFields, a 9-day art competition and show, held April 22-30, 2016. ArtFields is held in Lake City, South Carolina. For more details on the show, visit www.artfieldssc.org.

Mark has his plate full, while creating his beautiful paintings and managing his studio/gallery, he is also getting ready to do another show at Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art in Charleston, South Carolina. Show dates are April 1-May 2. For details on that exhibit, please visit www.ellarichardson.com.

You can visit Mark at his gallery/studio space, located at 123 Roberts Street
in the River Arts District, or view his websites: www.MarkBettisArt.com
and www.MarkBettisGallery.com