Check out Mark Rude’s Artwork

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

Mark, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I grew up the oldest and nerdiest of three children in Phoenix, Arizona. I have been drawing since the age of five and have loved stories of heroes and adventure all my life, but it was only later that I first tried to tell one. My goal was to create a comic book, a fantasy story based on a girl’s coming of age into a warrior role. There were many stops and starts, but when I finally published ‘Passage’ back in 2005, I thought I had found my calling. Unfortunately, the time and money required to do print runs were too demanding, and I decided to shelve the project.

In 2007, my father died of cancer, and this brush with mortality reignited my need to return to my story and finish what I started. This time, I decided to write it as a novel. This became the Cindra Corrina Chronicles, and I found a new love in writing. My first book, ‘The Gold Cat’s Daughter’ was self-published in 2011 under Duck Castle Press, and I have since published four in the series. I have also written a stand-alone urban fantasy satire called ‘Devon, the Demon Duck from Hell.’ I never meant for it to outsell my primary series, but so far it has. I guess people like ducks.
To supplement my convention appearances, I began doing pop culture portraits in pencil and marker. These became rather popular, and I have earned myself some commissions. Finding my way back to traditional art has been trying and rewarding. As of now, I am half-way through writing my fifth Cindra Corrina book, struggling to top myself again, and hoping to be noticed by the wider world.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I write a young adult series meant for early teens and up; a coming of age story about a girl who breaks away from what her structured life has planned, and seeks a new path that is denied to her. The story of Cindra Corrina went through many changes before its final form, but it has always been about overcoming social class and gender restrictions, and becoming what you dream of, even as life stands in your way. I want my readers to come away with that same spirit of hope and determination that drives my protagonist.

I find myself inspired by women of all walks of life that engage in careers and challenges previously reserved for men, especially sports and sciences. As for my drawings, those are mostly for pop-culture appeal, bringing my own unique style to the large pool of talent found in the Artist’s Alley section of comic book conventions. They also serve as an advertisement for my commission work.

Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
Being an artist in today’s electronic world is a two-edged sword. While the ability for anyone to get their work out there into the ether is greater than ever before, so is the competition. It is easy to get lost in a sea of similarity and even more difficult to make your voice heard.

I think that the most important thing cities can do for artists is to encourage the explosion of culture and creative outlets. Activities where artists can be seen and known and receive patronage are crucial. Just as crucial are a populace that is hungry for it. Both of these can be nurtured and can create vibrant, exciting cultural scenes where the arts flourish.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My artwork is mostly on display whenever I appear at a local convention, as are my books, however the novels are always available at Amazon and other online booksellers. They are print on demand, so they are never out of stock.
There are many ways to support a writer, besides buying their books:

Tell a friend and loan them the book.
Suggest it for a book club.
Ask you library to order it.
Review it on social media.
Write a review on Amazon! Help those metrics!

And finally, if you really enjoy my work, drop me a message telling me so. Authors starve for affection, and often need a boost to keep on writing.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.markrude.net
• Email: mgrude@markrude.net
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/mark_rude_author_artist/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/markrude.net/

Image Credit:
Mark Rude

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