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Mark Hobson is based in Tofino B.C., on the outer west coast of Vancouer Island where he has painted for over twenty years. A diverse artist in both subject and media, he is equally comfortable in watercolour, oils, and acrylics. Mark is best know for his passionate portrayal of the B.C. coast from pounding surf to sheltered cove; from rainforests to the underwater realm. The richness of the natural environment and its wildlife comes alive in his work. Professionally trained as a biologist, he taught high school science for nine years before painting as a career. Self-taught as an artist, his paintings are simutaneously accurate and sensitive depictions of the many moods of wilderness and rural landscapes. Mark's work has won many awards in the U.S., Canada and Europe. He has participated in shows throughout North America and as far afield as Hong Kong and Singapore. In 2006, Mark was chosen as "Artist of the Year" by Ducks Unlimited Canada. The Royal Canadian Mint has invited him to design three different sets of coins. The National Geographic Society has displayed his work in Washington D.C., Mark was selected as a member of the Society of Animal Artists in 1997, and as B.C.'s Wildlife Artist of the Year in 1996. His landscapes have placed in the top 100 of the US Art for Parks competition and three times Artist's Magazine annual competition has awarded his wildlife images high honours. In 2003 he won the Pacific Salmon Foundation's stamp award. A strong advocate for preserving the wilderness he loves to paint, Mark has donated numerous paintings and much of his time to efforts to preserve natural environments. Mark, floathouse studio is accessable on by boat, surrounded by the natural beauty of Clayoquot Sound.
Ducks Unlimited 2006 Artist of the Year Two of Mark Hobson's images are chosen by Ducks Unlimited Canada for the National Art Program for 2006. The artists proof's of the chosen images will be available from the artist in January of 2007. "Mallards: Looking South" was awarded the Artist of the Year award. "Polar Bear: At the Edge of the Ice" was chosen for the Portfolio Artists Category. Honours & Accolades 2005 Salmon Stamp 2005 For the second year Mark has won the salmon stamp competition with the Pacific Salmon Foundation. All of the 2005 salt water fishing licenses in BC will be getting a glimpse of a small piece of Mark’s work on the accompanying stamp. This year the image is of a Coho salmon, titled “Return to Freshwater” and will be available as a limited edition print. Artist’s proofs of this year’s painting and the 2003 image of a Chinook called “Catching the Strays” can be ordered by calling our office. New Canadian Coin: On January 10th 2005 the Royal Canadian Mint released the 2005 Specimen Coin Set featuring a limited edition aureate dollar of Tufted Puffins designed by Mark Hobson. The dollar coin is only available as part of the set. This is the third time Mark has had his work selected for a coin design. Two previous coins were on platinum depicting muskox and pronghorn antelope. Ducks Unlimited In 2005 two paintings were chosen to be printed for fund raising purposes across Canada by Ducks Unlimited: "Checking out the Competition" and "On Closer Inspection". International Artist An Australian series titled "How Did You Paint That?" includes an acrylic painting of Mark's is titled "Columbia Flats". All the 100 contributing artists from around the world were selected from the top winners in the magazine, International Artist's annual competition. Of the three Canadians featured, Carol Evans from Salt Spring Island was the grand prize-winner with a fabulous watercolour depicting a remote shoreline in Haida Gwai. Well done Carol!
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