613-735-6665
www.markkulas.ca

Guest at the studio of Claudia Van Wijk

Mark grew up on the shores of Golden Lake east of Algonquin Park, and has spent decades exploring the land and waterways of the Canadian Shield. He rendered realistic wildlife drawings since childhood, and his school notebooks contained as many sketches as notes. About ten years ago, wanting to make larger, more colourful images, he began painting with acrylics. He describes his style as a distillation of his graphic design background, the folk art of his Kashub Polish heritage, and the Woodland Art movement. Thematically, his stylized paintings depict the wildlife and wilderness of the Ottawa Valley, Algonquin Park and Muskoka.

When he isn’t working in graphic design or training and competing in triathlons, cross country skiing and other athletic pursuits, Mark paints at the family cottage on Bella Lake and at his home in Pembroke. His vehicle usually has a canoe or kayak on the roof, ready for exploring some inviting lake or river; Mark is always observing his environment for reference and subject matter.