Born in Manchester, his formative years were spent in
Manchester’s meat market where he would accompany his father (Fraser Stone) and
his mother (Frasina Stona) to the family butchery and meatpacking business.
Completely absorbed in the noise, smells, and sheer physicality of this
environment, the young Mark learnt more about the structure of sinew, bone, and
flesh—albeit livestock—than in any subsequent life drawing class.
As a teenager passionate about pursuing an artistic career,
Mark completed two foundation courses: first and at Oldham and then Rochdale
Colleges of Art. However, in the 1980s
conceptual art dominated the mainstream market and there were little
opportunity for a young figurative painter in Manchester. Forced to return to
work at his father’s wholesale butchery, Mark continued to attend life classes
throughout the next decade.
In the early 1990s the family business fell victim to the
recession and Mark was spurred on to find a commercial outlet for his work. To
allow himself time to build a portfolio, he took a job as an art technician at
an Oldham grammar school for another ten years. A short course at the Slade
School of Fine Art gave him an opportunity to tour the London galleries with
his portfolio, but with Brit Art in the ascendency, he found drawing out of
favour. Eventually, a gallery in Greenwich offered him space in a mixed show
where he sold six works. Mark gave notice at the grammar school soon after.
In 1997 he became a founder member of the Neomodern Art
Group founded by Guy Denning.
He has held an annual solo exhibition with Panter & Hall
in the West End of London since 2004. Art Obsession now represents him in
Daikanyama, Japan.
Most recently, he produced 34 paintings of Harry Potter
actress Emma Watson.
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