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Mark Ryden was born on January 20, 1963 in Medford, Oregon, but grew up in Southern California. He received a B.F.A. in 1987 from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. Mark's paintings instantly trigger a warped deja vu. His work recalls a parallel universe of 1950s Golden Books and the whimsy of Lewis Carroll. His cheery bunnies, rendered in the glowing hues of children’s books, are likely to be carving slabs of meat rather than frolicking in the forest. Ryden’s work mingles superb technique with outre images to create a world of strange and disturbing beauty. “At once intriguing and unsettling, baffling and enchanting, [Ryden’s] works ... are subtle amalgams of many sources and influences as wide-ranging as Psychedelic and Vienna School artists Neon Park and Ernst Fuchs, to classical French formalists Ingres and David.” — Rick Gilbert-Panik Mark was part of a very creative family. His father, Keith, made his living painting, restoring, and customizing cars. Mark’s mother, Barbara, while dedicated her life to raising her 5 children, was always busy with a creative project and encouraged her children in the pursuit of art. Mark’s older brother KRK, an underground artist notorious in the counter culture, gave Mark an early introduction to art. Mark’s paintings are treasured by collectors from Australia to Sweden. A few of his clients include Stephen King, Leonardo DiCaprio, Patrick Leonard, Ringo Starr, Danny Elfman, Kirk Hammett, Paul Leary, Chris Carter, Don Was, Kidada Jones, Bridget Fonda, Henry Selik and the famous anti-mogul Long Gone John. Currently, Mark is living in a magic house in Sierra Madre, California with his lovely wife Carolyn, his imaginative son Jasper, and sweet daughter Rosie. You can find him late at night in his studio among his many trinkets, statues, skeletons, saints, and old toys that he collects for inspiration.
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