About Mark Westervelt

A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Mark Westervelt has been living and practicing his craft in Kansas City for over 45 years. Westervelt attended the prestigious Kansas City Art Institute, where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting in 1990.

After completing his undergraduate education, Westervelt went on to study at the esteemed University of Chicago, where he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree also in painting.

He has shared his passion and knowledge with other aspiring artists by teaching classes at each of his alma maters and private lessons from his studio.

The Left Bank, a ground-breaking alternative art gallery, was co-founded by Westervelt in 1987. This gallery has not only showcased artwork in the traditional sense of the word, but has also featured the creative mind work of actors, musicians, dancers, sculptors and so much more. The Left Bank pioneered Kansas City's rise to creative and artistic fame, paving the way for what we now know as the nation's intersection of artistry and technology — "America's Creative Crossroads." During its time, The Left Bank gave artists of all different backgrounds a place to gather together to learn, create and express their passion for the arts.

Westervelt has displayed his art regionally and nationally, hosting exhibitions in major cities all across the country, including: Texas, Nebraska, Chicago, New Orleans, Detroit and Kansas City, just to name a few. His work can be found in corporate and private collections nationwide and internationally.

Artist Statement

My work alludes to an underlying current of knowing that is governed by feelings and emotions. The images that I produce are symbolic of an inner-personal and vulnerable human existence. They develop their identity through spontaneity, intuition, association and chance.

In making art, I am only aware of the forces I use in order to move along the course of my pictures.The course of my art is a visual translation of internal feelings, thoughts, and emotions in relation to the inner condition of self.

Process

My process involves using dried acrylic paint. I randomly paint on plastic and let it dry then peel it up and reappropriate it on paper or wood panels and create an image. The images are primarily figurative and expressionistic. The dried  paint is glued on with a special formula of acrylic gel medium and adhesive. I try let the raw state of the dried paint lead me or suggest an image. I think of my work as self portraits . I paint from a gutteral place, guided by intuition and chance.

    • KC Arts Council / Kansas City / MO 2012 competition

    • Studebaker Museum / Kansas City MO / wall mural / 12 ft x 100

    • Italian-American Pasta Corp. HQ / wall murals / 12 ft x 12 / Series of 6

    • Phoenix Jazz Clubs / interior & exterior murals

    • University of Chicago / Full merit of work scholarship graduate program

    • Kansas City Art Institute / Painting

    • Kansas City Art Institute / Summer Program / Drawing

    • University of Chicago / Continuing Education / Painting

    • Left Bank Studio / Life Drawing Workshops

    • Shawnee Mission High School / LecturesDescription text goes here

    • Kansas City Art Institute

    • VML

    • Rees Masilonis Turley architect

    • Blue Cross Blue Shield

    • Zimmer Real Estate

    • Kansas City Arts Council

    • Stinson Morrison Hecker

    • Cheryl Kimmi (Fringe Fest)

    • T2

    • Back Alley Films

    • McCown Gordon Const.

    • Hunter Museum

    • Carter Arts Center / Group Show / Kansas City, Missouri

    • Smalter Gallery / Group Show / Kansas City, Missouri

    • Leedy Volkus Art Center / One Person Show / Kansas City, Missouri

    • Leedy Volkus Art Center / One Person Show / Kansas City, Missouri

    • Blue Gallery / Group Show / Kansas City, Missouri

    • Heidman Art Salon / Group Show / Kansas City, Missouri

    • Weinberger Fine Art / One Person Show / Kansas City, Missouri

    • Cider Fine Art / Group Show / Lawrence, Kansas

    • Late Show / Two Person Show / Kansas City, Missouri

    • KC Arts Union Station / Group Show / Kansas City, Missouri

    • Leedy Volkus Art Center / One Person Show / Kansas City, Missouri

    • T2 / Crossroads / One Person Show / Kansas City, Missouri

    • Chiro Studio / One Person Show / Kansas City, Missouri

    • Dolphin / Group Show / Kansas City, Missouri

    • Hobbs Building / Group Show / Kansas City, Missouri

    • Texas Fine Arts Awards Touring Show / Group Show / Texas

    • Primitive Art Works / One Person Show Show / Chicago, Illinois

    • Point Gallery / One Person Show / Detroit, Michigan

    • DeGraff Fine Art / One Person Show / Chicago, Illinois

    • Massman Gallery [ One Person Show / Kansas City, Missouri

    • Lyons Weir Gallery / Group Show Show / Kansas City, Missouri

    • Hildebrand Gallery / Two Person Show / Kansas City, Missouri

    • University of Nebraska / One Person Show / Kansas City, Missouri

    • Kansas City Art Institute BFA

    • University of Chicago MFA