"I don't want to be a puppet that the ghost of my young self still controls" — acrylic, ink on panel
I Will Meet You There — mixed medium on panel
About
Mark Thomas is a Cleveland, Ohio based artist whose work explores landscape through abstraction, patterns, layering, and perceptual disruption. Drawing from geology, atmospheric phenomena, and the passage of time, his work resists literal representation, focusing instead on how environments are constructed, filtered, and experienced.
Portfolio
select a series

Ballast

Wallcoverings

Elemental Flux

Threshold

Surveyed Reflection

Threaded Faultlines

The Ghost

ZAANO

BLK Series

Chemotherapy
Ballast
This series features bold, weathered layers that evoke the rusty, deteriorating surfaces of man-made industrial structures, creating a textured effect reminiscent of aged metal and urban decay. The dripping and scratched marks throughout the pieces suggest the passage of time on forgotten machinery and abandoned infrastructure, capturing the raw beauty found in oxidized, man-made materials.
Ballast Wallcoverings
A wallpaper company approached me with an intriguing proposition: transforming my original paintings into large-scale wallpaper designs. What began as a single conversation evolved into an ongoing collaboration that has expanded the reach of my artwork in ways I never anticipated.
The converted paintings now grace the walls of diverse spaces across the globe.
Elemental Flux
"Elemental Flux" represents the constant state of change in nature. The way water reshapes landscapes, minerals crystallize and dissolve, and elements continuously transform from one state to another. Each canvas is a meditation on impermanence and natural beauty, capturing fleeting moments of perfect chaos frozen in time.
Surveyed Reflection
"Surveyed Reflection" invites viewers to reconsider how we map and understand the natural world not as fixed, solid territory but as fluid, ever-changing spaces that exist simultaneously in reality and imagination.
Threshold
"Threshold" invites viewers to contemplate boundaries and transitions the line between earth and sky, conscious and unconscious, known and unknown. The stark black void is not simply negative space but an active presence, creating tension and dialogue with the organic forms.
This series speaks to the liminal moments in life where we stand between what was and what will be, suspended in the transformative power of the in-between.
Threaded Faultlines
Flowing topographic lines trace the contours of imagined peaks, merging traditional ink techniques with contemporary minimalism. Each piece is a meditative study of light, form, and mountain presence.
I Don't Want to Be a Puppet That the Ghost of My Young Self Still Controls
ZAANO
I was commissioned to design the EP cover and single artwork for Zaano's upcoming release. Brilliant oranges and amber tones billow and flow across the upper portion like illuminated clouds or smoke, while rich burnt sienna and deep blacks anchor the bottom half, creating a dramatic horizon line. The fluid, organic forms suggest both geological formations and atmospheric phenomena — a perfect visual representation of the mysterious, almost apocalyptic beauty of California's largest lake.
Listen to Zaano's EP — Salton Sea on Spotify
BLK Series
The series draws inspiration from film noir cinematography and the stark beauty of mid-century architectural photography, while employing contemporary techniques to create images that feel both timeless and immediate.
Framed prints available for $100 — Email to enquire.
chemotherapy day #22
Contact Me
Interested in a piece from the online collection or looking to commission custom work? Contact me here or connect with me on social media.
Email : markthomasfineart@yahoo.com