Art at the Park: 'Nature in Focus' by Mark Naftel

Mark Naftel's first solo exhibition entitled 'Nature in Focus'.

The National Trust of Guernsey's Art at the Park Gallery, Saumarez Park is delighted to showcase Mark Naftel's first solo exhibition entitled 'Nature in Focus'.

Mark has mastered the 'hyper-realistic' style of drawing in pastel and his animal pictures are remarkable! The exhibition includes a selection of black and white animal pictures and some beautifully observed bird and animal paintings in oils. From a baby giraffe being nuzzled by its mother to dive bombing kestrels and slinking foxes, Mark has created each moment caught in time with photo-like qualities. 

In Mark's own words;-

Born and raised in Guernsey, Mark first took an interest in art at school where he studied G.C.S.E art at Les Beaucamps Secondary School. After finishing school, Mark continued art and photography in his spare time. Self-taught, Mark continues to refine his realistic style.

Mark usually focuses on painting large city scenes but stumbled across his talent for capturing realistic wildlife pictures after painting a picture of his in-law’s beloved family parakeet “George” and a picture of a robin for his parents’ Silver Wedding Anniversary.

Primarily an oil painter, for this exhibition Mark has enjoyed the challenge of creating several black and white pictures of different animals by using a single pencil (a black Conté à Paris pastel pencil). By varying the intensity and direction of each stroke, by knocking areas back with the use of an electric eraser, and by using paper stumps (tortillons) to rub the pastel into the fibres of the velvet canvas, a variety of different shades and textures are achieved.

“Nature in Focus” showcases the astonishing diversity of life that we share this planet with. Mark passionately believes that the job of an artist is to gift people the time to stop and look - to not only appreciate what we have, but to also appreciate what we risk losing.

The exhibition runs from Tuesday the 8th of September until Friday the 2nd of October daily from 10am until 5pm. (Please be aware that the exhibition will close at 2pm on the final day.) The Gallery is free entry and accessible friendly.