When artists use a muse in their work, our inquisitive selves take over and curiosity implores us to ask questions - who are they? What is their relationship to the artist? Are they even real?
By definition, muses are said to be an artist's inspiration and a driver for their creativity through formation of an intuitive, visceral, and complex relationship.
Some of the most historic art of all time features iconic muses - such as the Mona Lisa and Frida Khalo - to more modern pieces like Kiki de Montparnasse and Georgia O'Keeffe. There have also been many famous supermodels who have posed as art models - including Kate Moss and Adriana Lima.
Our featured artist Mark Demsteader is well known for working with models as his muse including A-Listers such as actress Emma Watson and fashion model Erin O‘ Connor. The collaboration with Emma Watson came about because she was a fan of his work, and was looking to purchase a piece for her 21st birthday.
She told Vogue Magazine, “I grew up in Oxford and used to walk past a gallery on my way home from school that sold his work. I would stop and look at his pieces, and try and figure out how he did them for hours. I've always followed his work.”
The exhibition raised funds for CAMFED, a pan-African movement supporting girls to go to school. Reflecting on the work, Emma said "I am thrilled with how they have come out; they are beautiful. Mark is so talented - I wish I had a fraction of his skill!”.
Mark primarily chooses to work with professional models, appreciating the distance that allows him to portray them without personal bias. He believes that knowing someone personally can alter the way they are depicted, shifting the focus from the broader composition to the individual as the subject. Reflecting on his work with Erin O’Connor and Emma Watson, he explained, “I was interested in capturing them as ordinary people rather than celebrities. Each was engaging in a different way, but I aimed to reveal the person behind the image.”
In our 'In The Studio' interview, Mark shared insights into his artistic journey. He studied life drawing for 15 years, crediting this extensive practice with shaping his understanding of form and technique. “I use photographs as a reference point, but never to copy directly. They provide a sense of form and basic information, but I always take the work further than the initial image,” he explained.
Mark places particular focus on the hands, face and eyes - features that viewers are naturally drawn to and that often reveal the most about a person. His meticulous approach ensures the model is rendered accurately, while leaving the narrative open to interpretation. The ethereal quality of his paintings invites viewers to imagine their own stories around the subject, setting and mood.
With a diverse range of models, his work offers something to suit every taste. Some figures have striking, angular features, while others are softer and more delicate. Brunettes blend seamlessly with natural tones, while blondes create a vivid, contrasting presence within a space. Explore original oil paintings, pastel and collage works by Mark Demsteader at Hancock Gallery.
