Marc Ward is a Florida born (1954) artist that resides in the foothills of East Tennessee. He graduated from Maryville College in the mid-70’s with a BA in Studio Art. During the 70’s and 80’s his three dimensional work was exhibited in numerous group and solo exhibitions including the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery. The 90’s saw Marc and his wife Kathy, operate their own gallery which represented their own work and the work of over a 100 artists and craftspeople. Also, during this period, Marc started a firm that produces specialized technical equipment for 3D artists and industry. The construction of a new studio on the shores of Douglas Lake and overlooking the Great Smoky Mountains provides Marc with daily inspiration to apply paint to canvas.
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I am always searching for magic—the brief moment when a palette knife moves across the canvas and the paint responds in an unexpected, surprising way. It is in these spontaneous interactions of layers and textures that I discover the true essence of creation.
My art combines digital and traditional painting techniques, a process I have refined since the early 1990s. The journey often begins with digital sketches and compositions developed on a tablet through multiple layers of shapes and colors. Then the work shifts to the computer for further refinement before being transferred to canvas. Here, I bring it to life with paint, acrylic markers, art crayons, and colored pencils. This layering adds texture and depth, giving each piece a unique and engaging presence.
Nature, especially the plant world, is a central influence in my subject matter. I am drawn to flowers and plants for their rich visual language—their lines, movement, and vibrant hues offer endless inspiration. In my landscapes, I emphasize the sharp clarity of the Earth’s horizon line, a strong and grounding visual element.
I find inspiration in contrast and dualities: light and dark, above and below, the tensions and harmonies that emerge through color juxtapositions. These oppositions energize my creativity and run throughout my work.
Through blending decades of digital experimentation with traditional painting, I aim to develop a distinctive visual language that highlights the beauty and complexity of the natural world. My goal is to have viewers share in those magical moments I find during the creative process.
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Exhibitions
Arts & Cultural Alliance Members Exhibit - 2026
Teravarna Gallery - 16th Annual Abstract Exhibit 2026. Teravarna Gallery - 9th Annual International Color Exhibit - 2025
Arts & Cultural Alliance Members Exhibit - 2025
Teravarna Gallery - 10th Landscape Exhibition
Dogwood Regional Juried Exhibition 2024
Teravarna Gallery - Flowers 2024
Art Room Gallery - Blue 2024
Art Room Gallery - Botanicals 2024
Grey Cube Gallery - Landscape Art Show
Teravarna Gallery - 9th Annual Landscape Exhibit 2024
Camelback Gallery - Bold Abstracts 2024
Art Show International Gallery - 8th Abstract Exhibition 2023
Camelback Gallery International Juried Painting Exhibition - Abstracts with Reds 2023
Maryland Federation of Art - Reflections - 2023
Art Room Gallery - Abstracts - 2023
Teravarna Gallery - 5th Annual Color Exhibition - 2023
Light, Space, and Time Gallery - 14th Annual Abstracts Exhibition - 2023
Fusion Arts - 7th Annual Colors Juried Exhibition - 2023
Art Room Gallery - 2nd Annual “Yellow” Exhibit - 2023
Camelback Gallery - Bold Abstracts 2023
Teravarna Gallery - 7th Annual Landscape Exhibit - 2023
Camelback Gallery - Shades of Red -2023
Grey Cube Gallery - Florals - 2023
Awards
Boldbrush Award - 3rd Place Abstract - 2026
Honorable Mention - Teravarna Gallery - 16th annual Abstract Exhibition
Honorable Mention - Teravarna Gallery - 9th International Color Exhibit
Honorable Mention - Grey Cube Gallery - Landscape Art Show 2024
Honorable Mention - Teravana Gallery - 9th Annual Landscape Exhibit 2024
Honorable Mention - Art Room Gallery - Botanicals 2024
Merit Award - Art Room Gallery - Botanicals 2024
Honorable Mention - Art Room Gallery - Blue 2024
Honorable Mention - Teravana Gallery - Flowers 2024
Silver Award - Camelback Gallery - Bold Abstracts 2024
Honorable Mention - Teravarna Gallery 10th Annual Landscape Exhibition 2024
Talent Award 8th Abstract Exhibition - Art Show International 2023
Finalist Award Abstracts with Red - Camelback Gallery International Juried Painting Exhibition 2023
Merit Award - Art Room Gallery - Abstracts Exhibit - 2023
Talent Award 5th Color Exhibition - Teravarna - 2023
Artist of the Month - Camelback Gallery - March 2023
Merit Award - Art Room Gallery -April 2023
Finalist Award Bold Abstracts - Camelback Gallery May 2023
Honorable Mention - Teravarna Gallery May 20223
Finalist Award Shades of Red - Camelback Gallery May 2023
Honorable Mention - Florals - Grey Cube Gallery Oct. 2023
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