Pencil Artist Mark Treick

Mark Oren Treick, born on April 19, 1966, in Seattle, Washington (USA), holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Fine Art (Drawing) and Geography, which he obtained from Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington in 1994.

From a very early age, Mark's parents recognized his unique calling and artistic spirit. It became evident as he exhibited an unbridled fascination with the world around him, meticulously documenting his inspirations on any available canvas, whether it be a random scrap of paper, the cover of a record album, the kitchen counter, or a hallway wall.

In his youthful artistic endeavors, Mark often found himself in creative clashes with his siblings. Thankfully, his mother often played the role of mediator, skillfully negotiating peace between Mark and his brothers and sisters.

To mitigate the tensions caused by his ceaseless drawing, Mark's father ingeniously came up with a solution. He installed a sizable white drawing board on the wall of Mark's bedroom, providing him with a dedicated space to freely indulge in his artistic passions without any concern for familial discord.

In college, I worked as a graphic design intern at Central Washington University my freshman year in Ellensburg, Washington, and was the "go-to guy" when it came to creating drawings for the school’s publications.

Outside of the work environment and classes, I was also called upon to be a courtroom artist for closed court sessions in high-profile cases and even held a position as an editorial cartoonist at the school’s college paper while at college.
I would describe my drawing technique as expressing "aliveness" and "fullness" to describe its technical and sentimental value.

I want the viewer to not only know that what they’re seeing is accurate, but by using their imagination, I want them to see that there is life happening around the drawing’s focal point.  If I am successful, their eye will lead them to another figurative world outside the picture’s frame.

What fascinates me most about using a pencil is that, by applying a variety of techniques, I can create a world of depth using tones and textures, implying a 3-dimensional story on a 2-dimensional surface.

During my freshman year in Ellensburg, Washington, while attending Central Washington University, I served as a graphic design intern. Within the university community, I gained a reputation as the go-to individual for crafting illustrations for various school publications.

Beyond my academic and professional responsibilities, I also assumed the role of a courtroom artist, specializing in sketching closed court sessions involving high-profile cases. Additionally, I held a position as an editorial cartoonist at the college newspaper.

When it comes to my drawing style, I aim to convey a sense of vitality and richness, both technically and emotionally. My objective is for viewers not only to recognize the accuracy of my work but also to engage their imagination, allowing them to perceive life unfolding beyond the focal point of the drawing. If I achieve success, their gaze will be led into a figurative world that extends beyond the frame of the picture.

What captivates me most about using a pencil as my medium is the ability to employ a diverse range of techniques. This enables me to construct a multidimensional narrative on a two-dimensional surface, using tones and textures to create a profound sense of depth and storytelling.

You can purchase prints of my drawings HERE. If you’re looking to commission a drawing, simply fill out some information on my Contact Page and I will get back to you as soon as possible and we can start our conversation about your drawing idea.

Artist Links: Mike Sibley, Jd Hillberry