Welcome to my Creative Space

Written By Mark Saunders

My first large piece, a 24x30 painting of the Presidential Range in New Hampshire

If you look back at your childhood, there was likely a time when you didn’t think twice before picking up a crayon or a brush. You just created. But as we get older, we tend to move away from those creative impulses. We start to worry about the “right” way to do things, and more than anything, we become afraid of making a mess.

I spent most of my adult life missing that sense of adventure and the stillness that comes with a stunning view on a road less taken. A few months ago, I decided to go back to the woods and back to the canvas to find it again.

The Evolution of the “Mess”

My journey back to art started digitally. I wanted to create, but I was still disconnected from the physical act. Digital art was “safe”—you can’t spill digital paint.

Six months later, I moved into acrylics. That was my first step into the real world, but the fear of the mess remained. It wasn’t until I picked up water-mixable oils and a palette knife that my world truly awakened. Suddenly, the “mess” wasn’t something to fear; it was the tool I used to sculpt the geological mass of the mountains I love.

The “At-Bats” of Art

I’ve realized that painting is a lot like baseball: the more at-bats you get, the better you become. I try to paint something almost every day.

Getting over the idea that every painting had to be a massive “masterpiece” was a turning point for me. By working on small 6x6 and 8x10 studies during the week, I’ve been able to hone my technique and overcome the fear of the blank canvas. These small “at-bats” are what prepare me for the large anchor pieces I tackle on the weekends.

A look inside my studio and the studies that I do before committing to a large canvas.

What to Expect Here

This Substack is a window into my “Foundation Year.” As I prepare for my first art fair debut in Spring 2027, I’ll be sharing:

  • Field Notes: References from my hikes along the Crawford Path and through the New Jersey wilderness.

  • Study Sessions: The small, textured works where I work through my thoughts on light and rock.

  • The Big Wins: Progress on the large-scale anchor pieces that define the “Just Like Dorothy Did It” style.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. It’s time to stop worrying about the mess and start focusing on the mass.

Mark Saunders