Artist: Mark Chuck
Mark Chuck, PENNSYLVANIA
View Artist's Products
My great passions in nature are water, color, fire, and clay. Individually, each of these elements invoke joy and excitement in me, but I also discover a deeper satisfaction when I can merge the essence of each in my porcelain creations. A unique characteristic of clay remains its ability to record various surfaces found in nature down to the finest detail. My current work reflects my love for wild spaces, colors, and forms in nature. In my artistic efforts I strive to capture the magnificence and subtleties of all these elements.
I love bringing fish to the table in a most unusual way. Individually formed, shaped, and glazed by hand—each piece is handmade from porcelain. At times, I begin making plaster molds and hand carved clay pieces that reflect the elements and surface textures of objects I find in nature, which retain the delicate and subtle details of my subjects.
Touching the piece while creating the object could diminish the subtleties of each texture. Therefore, in order to create a harmonious surface I carefully examine, select, and blend glazes. With form, texture, and color in mind, I remain meticulous about every detail of the surface image. My ideas grow and develop organically, informed by my love of fishing and nature. The colors and shapes reflect those of the fish I catch and release.
As a result, my finished product captures the color, variety, and essential subtleties found in nature. With each work, I strive to evoke the unique essence of the original subject, marrying nature with the intellectual and tactile reality of my creative efforts. Each piece is a reflection of my passions, vision, and spirit.
EXPERIENCE:
September 2009 - Present - Marywood University - Scranton, PA Laboratory Technician Manage and maintain all studio materials including clay inventory and glazing chemicals. Responsibilities include clay processing, glaze mixing, maintaining work areas – potter’s wheels, clay mixer, clay pug mill, and spray booth. Oversee all kiln firings: high fire, low fire, raku fire, wood fire and salt fire. Assists ceramic professor in working with graduate and undergraduate students on the entire ceramic building process.
April 2010 - Keystone College, Northeastern Intermediate Union 19 - La Plume, PA Instructor
Educated high school students on entire ceramic process including building techniques by hand and wheel throwing, how to glaze, and loading of the kiln. Taught and enforced studio and glaze and chemical safety.
April 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 - Keystone College, Northeastern Intermediate Union
19 - La Plume, PA
Laboratory Technician
Prepared all studio material to ensure efficient and safe learning environment for high school students. Assisted ceramic professor in working with the students on the entire ceramic building process. Spring 2006 - Keystone College- La Plume, PA
Visiting Artist
Demonstrated and instructed an undergraduate class in wheel throwing.
2004 - Scranton Cultural Center – Scranton, PA
Workshop Demonstration Instructor Instructed junior high and high school students in hand building and wheel throwing techniques.
AWARDS AND HONORS:
“F. Lammot Belin Art Scholarship” – 2006 “Scotty Neuroth Memorial Scholarship” – 2006 “Kathy Van Duesen Scholarship” - 2006 “Clay Award” Butternut Gallery, PA- 2012 EDUCATION: Keystone College – La Plume, PA – 2006 BA of Arts, Portfolio Available Haystack Mountain School of Crafts "Richard Notkin" - Deer Isle, ME – 2007 COLLECTIONS: on permanent display - Lizza Fine Art Studios, Wilkes Barre , Pennsylvania Keystone College, La Plume, Pennsylvania Moscow Clay Works, Moscow, Pennsylvania Miller Associates, Scranton, Pennsylvania Numerous Private Collections EXHIBITIONS: 2015 “Distilled Essence III” Invitational, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL “AKAR Yunomi Invitational” Invitational, Iowa City, IA “Ceramics Invitational Show” Invitational, Southwestern Michigan College, MI 2014 "2014 NICHE Award Finalist , Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA “The Intimate Object X”Charlie Cummings Gallery, Invitational, Gainesville,FL “Small Favors IX”The Clay Studio, Juried, Philadelphia, PA “Drink” Juried,Slipe Gallery, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT “Solos Cup Benefit Exhibition” Baltimore Clayworks, Donation, Baltimore, MD “Craftsman House 8th Annual Teapot Show, Invitational, St.Petersburg, FL "Twin Cups:National Ceramics Exhibition" MWSU Clay Guild, Juried, Saint Joseph, MO 2013 "2013 KC Clay Guild Teabowl National", Juried Exhibition Kansas City, MO “Mark Chuck - A Taste of Nature" Invitational, Butternut Gallery, Montrose, PA "Drink This " Juried Exhibition, Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton, VA "5th annual national juried cup exhibition "Mug Shots" LUX Center for the Arts, Lincoln, NE "12th Annual National Juried Cup Show" Juried, Kent State University, OH 2012 "Focus" Juried Exhibition, Butternut Gallery , Montrose, PA-Clay Award "Sphere's Of Influence " Invitational, Linder Gallery, La Plume, PA 2011 " The Great Departure" Mark Chuck, Juried Exhibition, Artworks, Scranton,PA 2010 "Art of the State" Juried, The State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA
"Focus" Juried, Butternut Gallery, Montrose, PA
2009 "Keystone College Alumni Show" Juried. Linder Gallery, La Plume, PA
"Focus" Juried, Butternut Gallery, Montrose, PA
"Mark Chuck- A Life Aquatic" Juried, AFA Gallery, Scranton, PA
PUBLICATIONS:
Connections Magazine 2013 500 Teapots Volume II. 2013 Ceramics Monthly 2013 Exposure p.22