Artist Profile: Mark Shaver

Mark Shaver is a digital illustrator whose freelance career has spanned twenty five years. He began his career working in a myriad of styles, from technical illustration to portrait art. Through years of editorial and advertising assignments, he developed his current signature style, combining whimsical concept with sophisticated design. He uses hard edged shapes, exaggerated proportions, patterns and digital effects to create a unique vision.

Mark Shaver was born in Los Angeles. At age five, his family moved to Geneva, Switzerland, where they lived for five years. Mark’s early interest in art derived from his grandfather, who was a fine artist as well as a book illustrator. In fact, he published several children’s books in which Mark and his brother and two sisters were the featured characters.

Mark Shaver graduated from UCLA with A BA in art history. Briefly, he attended graduate school in that subject, but his true interest was in the graphic arts. He worked as a technical illustrator for several years, and then enrolled in Otis Parsons School of Design in Los Angeles, where he received a degree in illustration. He worked at several design studios and agencies, and then launched his freelance career.