Featured artist: Mark Reyes
The Soul's Canvas: Art, Empathy, and a Life of Purpose
Art is not something one can pursue for a long time because of external pressure or obligation. Most artists admit that the path of art is never easy, yet they say they are unable to stop creating, as if responding to a voice that calls them like destiny. Today’s Featured Artist in our newsletter, Mark Reyes, is one of those artists.
Captivated by Bob Ross as a child, Mark's artistic path was nurtured by his parents and guided by mentors. His talent was affirmed at 11 when he won a national competition in the Philippines. Later, his move to Winnipeg opened new avenues through art programs and renowned artists, inspiring him to continue creating as a powerful source of joy, even while working as a full-time nurse.
Winnipeg, a City of Artistic Inspiration
Mark Reyes describes Winnipeg as “an amazing city for art.” Public art scattered throughout the city, diverse architecture, sculptures, and numerous museums and galleries constantly inspire him. Winnipeg’s creative energy and passionate artistic community foster a strong atmosphere where artists can freely create and support one another.
I hope to visit Winnipeg someday—until recently, I hadn’t realized it was such a vibrant artistic city.
Mark says the city’s diversity deeply influences his work. Living in Winnipeg, where a large Filipino community thrives, he naturally blends Filipino and Canadian cultures in his art. The vast, peaceful prairie landscapes filled with light also offer him a unique source of beauty and inspiration.
Sacred Records and the Aesthetics of Spiritual Empathy
Mark’s brushwork is more than just what is visible; it reveals his way of thinking about everything surrounding him, such as landscapes, cityscapes, flowers, and animals. He explores beauty, personal memory, the transience of life, and empathy for the suffering of all creatures.
Portraits, in particular, occupy a large portion of his work. He says that portraits are more than just capturing moments; they are also meant to preserve meaningful memories. The gold and bold brushstrokes he frequently uses in his portraits seem to be an attempt to capture memories firmly and with a sacred quality.
Spirituality is a vital pillar in Mark’s artistic world. His iconographic works rooted in the Catholic faith offer him time for meditation and spiritual connection. "Corpus, 2023" reflects the anguish and spirituality of the human body, conveying deep introspection and raising universal questions about life, death, suffering, and salvation through religious symbolism.
What stands out most in his work is his deep respect and empathy for life.This mirrors his personal philosophy: he truly cherishes common, everyday things like his family, pets, and health. Such love for the small things, and pity for their vulnerability and pain, would be impossible without profound compassion, I believe.
"Eli Eli lama sabachthani? (Father, why have you forsaken me?), 2023” is the most starkly embodies this perspective. The image of a lamb on a gold background evokes sacrifice and offering, while the halo above its head elevates the creature to a sacred being, borrowing from traditional religious imagery. The innocent, fragile figure suffering in a cruel reality delivers a powerful emotional impact, overlapping with the agonized cry of Jesus on the cross. This evokes a universal empathy for the suffering and despair faced by humanity today. Mark’s frequent use of gold not only implies religious reverence but adds a unique aura and spiritual depth to his works.
His love for animals is also evident in his recent works. Pieces such as "The Bison, 2024," "The Mule Deer Bucks, 2024," and "The Puffin, 2024" bring the vastness of the prairie and the wonder of nature onto canvas—a clear reflection of the natural beauty surrounding his home city of Winnipeg. Especially notable is the use of circular canvases (hoops), which visually frame nature as if enclosing it. Within these circular frames, the wild animals are often brought to the central foreground, dominating the composition, which appears to align with his portraiture – presenting wildness itself as the preservation of memory. Backgrounds feature similar warm, yellowish tones that enhance the unity and stability of the work.
Rooted Creativity with Flexible Expression
Mark Reyes’ artistic style has evolved over time. He began by copying classical paintings as a child and, through programs at the Winnipeg Art Gallery and school support, explored various materials and techniques. His mentorship with the late Clarence Tillenius deepened his artistic practice.
Interestingly, Mark no longer adheres to a single style. Depending on the theme and his emotions, he sometimes works abstractly, other times impressionistically, or in classical realism. This flexibility brings him great joy in creation.
While working as a nurse, he creates art without a fixed routine, working when inspiration strikes and recharging with other activities when he hits creative blocks. For him, art is more than a hobby—it is an outlet for stress and a space for complete immersion. It's also interesting that most of the artists that I interviewed all said they love doing art for the same reason.
An Artist on a Journey of Positive Impact
Mark hopes his art will carry meaning beyond just selling works. Proceeds from his art go to the Reyes Family Foundation, which he founded to support children and schools in his hometown in the Philippines. He shares that one of the greatest challenges for artists is gaining visibility and finding ongoing support for their work. Despite this, he actively connects with others by participating in the Winnipeg Fine Art Fair, engaging with the Manitoba Society of Artists, and currently forming a group for Asian and Filipino artists. His goal is to build a platform where artists with shared cultural backgrounds can connect and support each other.
Mark Reyes hopes that his art will comfort viewers, inspire them through beauty, and sometimes raise questions that encourage reflection and his journey is truly deserving of our attention and support.
To connect with Mark, please visit his website at www.markreyesfineart.com and Instagram at @markreyes_art.
Nice work Mark. Nice to meet you :)