"Art is the expresson of the "inner spirit" of an artist, a way to touch the emotions. Each sweep of the brush, chisel mark in stone, shape worked in clay, curve in wood is an expression of that artists personality. My goal is to bring to the public the artists individual spirit in their own chosen medium. A true and authentic "Vibrant Spirit Of Art". I pride ourselves in searching for that very special "inner spirit" of each artisan and in my own work".....quote by Oneta Cole, noted Native American and Bird Aviary artist.
Mark and Gail Blacker not only own Bear - Buffalo Silver Designs, but Mark has done woodcarving, mosaic art and is a talented candle craftsman. Though Gails' family can trace its family Native American heritage back to Pennsylvania and New York, she and her husband Mark have worked tiredlessly to confirm the verbal family history.
Mark designed and produced handmade Southwestern Style Native American Mosaic themes, Native Amercan woodcarved masks and totem poles, bookmarks and prints and Southwestern and Native American themed candles and has now become a gifted silversmith, finally finding his true love of a craft and skill.
Mark was a graduate of State University of New York at Plattsburgh, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Business and has worked towards his Masters in Psychology for a periord before deciding to stay in the corporate world. Mark began learning the craft of the silversmith after giving up his earlier hobbies while going through a very contentious divorce and needed "something" to relax. During a period of approximately 12 months I learned the art of the silversmith from a fine Cheyenne by the name of Mel WhiteBird. Though we no longer are in contact I appreciate what he has taught me and will always respect that gift. After many years in the corporate world as a sales rep, and middle management I had decided to now do my own thing.
Today Mark has retired from his candlemaking, woodcarving and mosaics and is developing his own silver styles that reflect his wife's heritage, as well as, his own and has begun to become known along the east coast. He resides in Maryland and has three children from his first marriage ages 28, 21, 19 and a recnetly married 28 year old stepson. Within the next few years he plans to relocate in New Mexico or Colorado. In addition Mark hopes to have his first science fiction novel released by the end of 2006, and is currently writing about the the affects of divorce from the mans perspective and life afterwards........watch for publication information in the near future.
