Mark Ryden has burst onto the art scene as both pop art illustrator and fine art painter. He has illustrated the cover to many current music artists' CDs. Mark’s paintings are treasured by collectors from Australia to Sweden. A few of his clients include Stephen King, Leonardo Di Caprio, Robert Di Niro, Michael Jackson, Patrick Leonard, Ringo Starr, Danny Elfman, Chris Carter, StevenTyler, Don Was, Kidada Jones, and the famous anti-mogul Long Gone John."Well, I have to admit I don't really paint my paintings; a Magic Monkey does. He comes to my studio late at night, when it's very quiet. Mysterious things happen late at night when most people are a sleep. I help the magic monkey, but he does most of the work. My job is to get him to show up. I've been learning just what that takes. He is very particular. The right frame of mind is important; I have to switch my brain from linear, logical thinking to creative, free feeling. If I start to think too much, then it's time for a nap or perhaps build a fort out of blankets with my son. Things have to flow from a place that is more subconscious anduninhibited. When you believe and have faith things will flow. You can really feel it. It's like magic. The monkey comes tappingat the door, we get the paint and brushes out of the treasure chest and we have agreat time making art."
Mark Ryden, October, 1999
