The Exceptional Artistry of Mark Summers

My favorite beer is Samuel Adams. My favorite magazine is probably Rolling Stone.  I’m nuts about Dickens’ literary classic “A Christmas Carol” and the New York Society of Illustrators. So; what is the connection? Mark Summers. 

 He is among the most celebrated and revered artist working today. He is a master of his medium. Summers’ chooses to illustrate with pencil, scratch board and  X-Acto knife. It is a precise, unusual, breathtakingly beautiful and rewarding form of etching. His creations; especially his caricature are perfect representations of his subjects. Men and women from history, past and present; along with imagined characters of fiction. The faces, postures and attitudes are immediately recognizable and true to each of his subjects. His created likenesses are uncanny.
It was from the printed pages of “Rolling Stone” that made me aware of Mark Summers’ work. I became a fast fan of what he was achieving within his efforts.  I then began to notice his work in other magazines and soon in books. Most notably; again, Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol.” Another personal favorite is featured in R.L. Stine’s “Horror Hour.”  Summers embellishes the short fiction “The Black Mask” in that anthology book. His illustration talents are exhibited in “Edgar Allen Poe selected Poems & Tales” collected by Neal Gaiman. I have purchased multiple copies of his books and often given them as gifts to family and friends. He is a great artist/illustrator. Just ask The New York Society of Illustrators.  Summers’ has received numerous honors from this most prestigious organization including “The Distinguished Achievement Award”  and “Best Illustrator” for 2000 & 2003.

“Summers takes the illustrator’s art back a century by enlisting the wood engraver’s craft to the scratchboard medium. He gives it a thoroughly contemporary flavor, however, in the power of his imagery.” 

                                       Walt Reed   “The Illustrator in America, 1860-2000,”

“The most frequent question I get asked about my work is "What program are you using?  The answer to that question; none.  My materials consist of just a pencil, a knife and a pen on a regular scratchboard.” 

                                                                                                                                                                Mark Summers

                                                     

                                                           

Summers’ also possesses an assuredly enviable list of clients including: Time Magazine, The Atlantic, Sports Illustrated, The National Law Journal, Parker Brothers, DuPont and Major League Baseball. Look for his celebrity caricatures monthly in Rolling Stone’s end page feature “Last Word.”  Indeed; he is a busy man.   

Mark Summers continues to maintain the highest of quality in his work and only seems to improve with each project. I am enjoying his continually ascending star, grace and gifts. He is the long ball hitter whose best is yet to be realized and always better. Stick around and be amazed and thrilled by The Exceptional Mr. Summers.  Now; if someone could please pass me a “Sam Adams.”