Mark Gilstrap

I’m a visual artist who has lived and worked in Long Beach for many years. I usually incorporate the figure into my work; I often work in a series approach; drawing sisters, for example, is a favorite theme of mine, paintings of architectural structures is another.

Regardless of the subject, composition tends to be my focus. I draw real life imagery, but alter proportions, perspective and color a bit, for the sake of both design and expression. Hopefully, the temperament, content and mood is reflected through the composition and the look of a particular piece. I try to use the formal properties to propel the meanings and mood in the artwork .

I’m primarily a painter, but recently I’ve been working on a series of drawings in color pencil about Blacks and the workplace. It is a theme that has been explored by many Black artists from folk artists to Masters; It’s a topic that lends itself to vast interpretations.