How long have you lived on the Beaches? I’ve lived in Manly for 36 years. It’s a special place to call home, and after all this time, I’m still discovering new things to paint.
Do you have a favourite beach? I love all the beaches around Manly, from Collins Flat through to Shelly, as well as the beautiful little spots around Fairlight and Delwood Beach. Depending on the wind direction, you can always find a sheltered spot with its own atmosphere, colours and character. There are so many magical places along this stretch of coastline.
What’s the best thing about living here? It’s one beautiful beach after another, but what makes it even more special is the community. Over the years, I’ve built wonderful relationships with local people through commissions and with the people who collect my work. It’s also lovely meeting visitors who discover Manly and take a piece of that experience home with them through one of my paintings.
What inspired your cover art? Hermit crabs carry their houses on their backs. I thought the Sydney Opera House would make a stylish shell for a giant hermit crab, so I just applied a bit of imagination.
And your work in general? The natural beauty of the coastline, the harbour and the constantly changing relationship between light, water and land. Living in Manly gives me the opportunity to sit and paint outdoors, surrounded by the beauty of the seaside, able to experience the changing light, the movement of the water and the atmosphere of the place firsthand, something I never take for granted.
Which artists or inspiring people, dead or alive, would you most like to have dinner with? My mum, Yvonne Budd. I miss her and she was the best artist I know.
How did you discover you had a gift for art? My mum was an incredible artist, and it always came naturally to me. I’ve always been happiest creating original art, music and sculpture, and using my imagination.
What are you currently working on? A series of paintings featuring endangered Australian animals for a food packaging company. I also always have several commissions underway, alongside continuing to develop my own collection of original paintings.
What’s your favourite aspect of what you do? A tricky question but a good example is a couple who recently told me they had to pack up their loved one’s home as she was moving into a retirement home. Of all her possessions, the only things she wanted to keep were three small paintings I’d created for her some time ago. Stories like that mean a lot, hearing from happy clients, knowing my work has become something special to them.
How can readers support your work? They can explore and purchase my original paintings at markbuddart.com. I also welcome people to come and say hello when I’m painting along Manly beachfront, near the end of The Corso. I paint outdoors most days and have original paintings on display, so visitors can see my work in person and find something special to take home. Gift-ready art prints will be available for Christmas, and I’m always open to commissions for people looking for a unique, personalised painting to celebrate a special occasion or capture a place that means something to them.
Check out Mark’s work on Instagram at @Mark_Budd_Artist and online at markbuddart.com or, better yet, say G’day when you see him (and Arty) painting at the end of the Corso on Manly beachfront.