About Mark Follows
Lucky
I once thought that I had a shot at a career in advertising, but the truth of the matter is that I either lacked the talent or the confidence to do it. I certainly lacked the financial resources to enjoy the freedom to create art for art's sake. 30 years after my decision to pursue a career outside of the arts, I have been blessed with some time to devote to this passion. This website is a repository for the gratitude that I feel to be able to paint for no other reason than I love it.
Egg tempera is a very time consuming medium so I will only produce 10-12 paintings per year. I do commission work for people that find me, or I try to paint something that makes me a little better at the craft.
I couldn't do any of this without the support of my wife Heidi and two boys Henry and Jack.
Featured Works
Bear Cove
The colour in Newfoundland, even as late as November is impressive. This painting is a scene from Bear Cove in Witless Bay, NL. Our favourite place.
20" X 30"
Egg Tempera on linen panel
2025
Heart's Content
Heart's Content is a commissioned painting to a private collection in Vancouver. The beach rocks are a scene from Middle Cove, Newfoundland.
28" X 40"
Egg Tempera on linen panel
2024
Beach Jewelry
Anyone new to the shores of Newfoundland can't help but admire the amazing array of colour on the beach. This scene is from our Newfoundland home, Witless Bay.
20" X 24"
Egg Tempera on linen panel
2020
Something about Mary
I am a big fan of the paintings of Mary Pratt. Her command of colour and light keeps me painting. One morning in Witless Bay the sun hit this box of eggs and I wished at that moment that I could paint like her. It happens that our neighbour had recently dropped off a couple fresh eggs (apparently dropped on the 17th) which gives it the Witless Bay touch.
16" X 20"
Egg Tempera on Panel
2023
Rainbow Eggs
Rainbow Eggs was a bit of a redo of Something about Mary, with the hope of getting more clarity on the egg carton, and diving a little deeper into the reflections on the egg shells. The background was also a little experimental with the egg tempera paint. This piece is sold and hanging somewhere in Florida.
11" X 14"
Egg Tempera on Panel
2024
112 Blueberries
The growing season is very short in Newfoundland, but August never disappoints. The Avalon is teeming with growth, my favourite is the 2-3 weeks that blueberries are abundant.
18" X 24"
Egg tempera on a linen panel
2023
NL Cranberries
Not long after blueberry season soon follows partridgeberries and then cranberries. "NL Cranberries" is 18 X 24 and painted with egg tempera on a linen panel.
18" X 24"
Egg tempera on a linen panel
2023
Luce di notte
This is a painting of a water service cover steps from the Colosseum in Rome. Heidi and I were walking back to our hotel and the night light on this beautiful service cover, complete with the classic SPQR label just needed to be painted.
24" X 24"
Egg Tempera on Panel
2024
Witless Bay
The thistles in Newfoundland are different than what I am used to in Ontario. They are much more robust, colourful and flower-like. This is a scene from Bear's Cove in Witless Bay..
12X16
Egg Tempera
2022
Portugal Cove
One of my first genuine attempts at egg tempera. I learned a lot about the preparation of a panel - mostly what not to do. This is also the scene of my first experience in Newfoundland. What a place.
16X20
Egg Tempera
2015
Huntsville
23X40
Watercolour
2013
Sports Themed Pieces
Captain 1
Captain 1
Captain 1
For 35 years and counting I have had the honour of painting the captain's portrait for the Harvard Football Team.
16"X20"
Watercolour
Captain 2
Captain 1
Captain 1
For 35 years and counting I have had the honour of painting the captain's portrait for the Harvard Football Team.
16" X 20"
Watercolour
Captain 3
Captain 1
Captain 3
For 35 years and counting I have had the honour of painting the captain's portrait for the Harvard Football Team.
16" X 20"
Watercolour
Hank
Captain 3
Lacrosse has been very good to my family. This is my son Henry playing field lacrosse for Ontario. Have to admit that Box lacrosse is our sport even if this suggests otherwise.
24" X 36"
Egg Tempera on linen panel
2019
"Gave it all"
This is a painting of a sign, made to look like a sign. This sign is a fixture in the Cornell Men's Lacrosse locker room. Each athlete that exits the room taps the sign. Over the years the sign has worn and it is the wear itself that provides the depth of meaning to the players that are fortunate enough to give their all.
11" X 14"
Egg tempera on a linen panel
2023
"George's House"
Nobody in the program will wear Boiardi's number 21 again. But the number links the Cornell Men's Lacrosse team together. A hard hat with his number on it follows the Big Red wherever they go.
20" X 30"
Egg tempera on a linen panel
2024