Mark Diethelm is one of twelve artists selected as a Gallery 263 Small Works Project artist. This project presents artwork in flat files at the gallery and on our website for the duration of one year. All artists are based in Massachusetts.
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I went to school for Architecture at Northeastern and am currently a registered Architect with a company in Boston. I do a lot of work with the early 1900’s historic brick and beam buildings in the seaport, renovating and historically preserving them for use in 2021 Boston. I currently live in Cambridgeport.
What kind of art do you make?
My background in design, the old dirty characteristics of those buildings and its infrastructure have informed my illustrations greatly. I always find myself observing the layers and colors of the city and try to express that in my drawings which primarily focuses on the built environment.
Can you tell us about the work you have on view in your flat file drawer at the gallery?
images of work
I have included a selection of prints of some work of the past couple of years.
Where do you make your work?
I don’t have a dedicated studio space. It is wherever it needs to be at the time, whether a park bench, coffee shop or my bed in the evening. It is everywhere and nowhere.
What are your favorite materials to use? Most unusual?
I primarily use pen, pencil, marker and watercolor. Lately I’ve been experimenting with digital drawing which allows for a lot of freedom to draw on the go or in a variety of places.
When did you decide you wanted to be an artist?
I’ve been drawing since I was a child. I used to check out drawing and comic books at the local library and try to copy the drawings and cartoons for myself, until I eventually developed a fascination with architecture and design. I always knew I would end up in the arts in some fashion, but I found myself always being drawn to buildings.