Meet Mark Rebennack

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Rebennack.

Mark, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Originally from Cincinnati Ohio, I finished art school and moved to the LA area in 1999. My dream was to work in the film industry, which I did for several years, but somehow found myself pursuing a teaching credential instead. For the past 19 years, I’ve been teaching Visual Arts at a school for students with severe developmental disabilities. I also make art. My current series of Exhale drawings is based on my breath. These pieces are minimalist, meditative and organic as each freehand line is drawn for the length of one exhale. Starting with the straightest freehand line possible, each new line mimics the previous. Any imperfection in one line is responded and reacted to in the following lines, creating the “waves”.

I developed this series sometime around 2014 during a major creative block. I was having some anxiety and sleeping very little. I was also running and cycling a lot to deal with the stress and sleeplessness. This is also the time I was starting my meditation practice and reading a lot about meditation and its mental health benefits. I think that being surrounded by the thought of breathing (through meditation and endurance activities), I began to explore the idea of “drawing my breath”. Though this series has evolved and expanded over the years, the heart of my process has remained the same.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The road to becoming an artist is what you make of it. It’s simply a personal decision to do it or not to. The struggles come after you make that decision. The questions about how, the self-doubt, the competition among artists/galleries, the creative blocks, the learning curves and the time and energy to keep moving forward. And the bravery to share your work. I’ve been fortunate in my journey. Partly because I do have a full-time teaching job that helps financially, but also because I’ve always identified as an artist, so the process and the motivation is always inherently there for me. I also think that the work that I make is relatable to viewers and collectors, so conversations I have with them are more about a human connection rather than a sales pitch.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work is both Abstract and Minimalist. I like to think of it as Minimalist Action Painting. It’s funny when someone asks what kind of art I make and I tell them that I draw minimalist lines. It’s hard to imagine what that might look like. I guess it’s nice that we all have a few thousand pictures in our pockets at any time so I can show them as I explain my process. My line work is all freehand, each line is one breath. These pieces are organic and are not pre-planned. Each one, each line is an act of honesty. Each is an act of mindfulness. Focusing on each line as I draw it, relating it to the previous and noticing any imperfections that will determine the next line. My work and my process are meditative acts that invite us to remember not only to breathe but that each breath is a new opportunity.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I’ll be exhibiting at The Other Art Fair Los Angeles this Spring. The fair will once again take place at the Barker Hangar March 30- April 2. This fair brings together 140 artists from all over the world all under one roof. It’s a fantastic show and a great opportunity to get out and see (and buy) some incredible art.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.markrebennackart.com
• Instagram: @markjrebennackart