Western Hunter Featured Artist: Mark Maggiori

Welcome to the first article in a new series that aims to highlight some of the most creative, talented artists whose subject matter relates to the West. The Western lifestyle and the tradition of hunting have deep ties to visual art, as many of the most beautiful things in the world are found right here in our backyard. Our first feature is one of the greatest Western artists of our time, probably of all time, Mark Maggiori.

Truth be told, I could write an entire book about Mark’s experience, technique, and career, and delve deep into the story of each and every one of his iconic paintings. If you’re drawn to Western art like I am, you’re more than likely very familiar with his captivating work. However, in this article, we’re going to focus on a few aspects of Mark and his perspectives that you may not already know.

The Mark Maggiori Experience

Mark was kind enough to meet with us at his studio for an exclusive Western Hunter interview, get behind the scenes of his creative process, see a glimpse of such a brilliant mind, and see some artwork that nobody else has even seen yet. From the moment we walked in, Mark was working on his most recent painting, Dibé Yázhi, and you could honestly feel the creative energy in his studio. It’s difficult to put into words how this moment felt, but it was one we will not soon forget. Being able to see an artist of his caliber paint an original in person was indescribable, and if you’ve ever been in the presence of one of his originals, then you know exactly what I mean.

Click here to watch the full interview on YouTube.

As a long-time fan and print collector of Mark’s work, I wanted to ask him some specific questions to gain some insight into how and why his paintings are so powerful. There’s something about his landscape that makes you feel so small in comparison to the West, and as hunters, we can all relate to that feeling.

Iconic Clouds

We’ve all seen images of Mark’s electric clouds that are bursting with life. In fact, they’re the reason you’re reading this article. This issue’s cover photo of Mark’s Sonoran Magnetism is just that, a magnet to those of us who have seen our fair share of sunrises and sunsets on the side of the mountain while hunting.

When I asked him what is so fascinating about clouds, he responded, “Clouds are the most magical element I’ve ever seen, from thunderstorms to the way they reflect and bend light, there’s an essence of clouds that is like a magic trick – especially at the end of the day when they get hit with yellows and pinks. Once the sun goes down, it becomes dark and the clouds are mysteriously gone. A cloud doesn’t remain. One moment they are there, and the next, poof they’re gone!” Mark’s trademark clouds can be identified at first glance, and there is nothing else like them. The complexity, attention to detail, and color palettes are captivating, to say the least.

Creative Process

Mark truly has generational talent, and there is no denying that. However, he shared that it all starts with real people, real experiences, real settings, and real stories. The power of authenticity and human experience is unmatched, and the emotions and inspiration those experiences provide him are the driving force behind his work. Every single one of his paintings is from an actual experience with actual people. He may take thousands of photos, and he may end up creating 1 to 2 paintings from those. In fact, one of my favorite quotes from Mark during our interview in regards to how long these paintings take him was, “Coming up with the idea is what’s important, the time you spend on the painting doesn’t matter. For me, it’s not good when it’s finished, it’s finished when it’s good.”

It’s an unbelievable amount of work, but the end result is undeniably worth it. When I asked Mark about what makes his paintings feel so real, he responded, “I’m actually out there with real cowboys, real Native Americans, in real places. I think what we as humans have left is the experience and the feeling that we have when we’re out there. When you hunt, nobody can replace that feeling, the thrill that you have being there. If you play a video game about hunting, it’s different than when you’re actually hunting. So, it’s the same as painting; it’s the exact same thing. You need to be there in order to feel it and then paint it, simple as that.” Mark’s footprint on Western art is so impactful, and his creative process is an integral part of the final product and story.

Obtaining a Mark Maggiori Piece

It’s no secret that his original paintings sell for upwards of $500,000, and for good reason. He’s one of the greatest living Western artists, and owning an original of his would be a dream come true. However, we know that that’s just not attainable for the majority of us. Luckily, you can purchase his prints in limited edition and timed edition drops twice a year. The quality of the prints is by far the best I’ve ever seen, and I can’t recommend them enough. I own several, and I have no plan to stop collecting these incredible prints anytime soon. I must warn you – if you start, you likely won’t ever stop (and that’s a good thing).

We want to extend a huge thank you to Mark and his team for making time in an incredibly busy schedule to meet with a group of sweaty, nervous hunters.

You can find more info on Mark Maggiori’s upcoming drop, sign up for his newsletter, and see much more of his work by visiting Markmaggiori.com

Click here to watch the full interview on YouTube.