Mark B. Cleveland
About the Artist
Mark B. Cleveland (American: 1957-) is a visual artist exploring the unique beauty and connection we share in everyday life represented in contemporary urban and natural landscapes in Oil.
Recognized by Plein Air Magazine in 2024, his gritty, street level urban work echoes the “Ashcan School” of Post-Impressionist American Art. Competing globally, his portfolio also includes painterly, atmospheric natural landscapes. His process employs traditional use of underpainting and glazing techniques to create a rich depth of color and perspective evoking an emotional connection with the subject for viewers.
Founder of the Evanston Plein Air festival, he continues to advance the “en Plein Air” tradition learned by working alongside prominent artists at the Palette & Chisel Academy, Plein Air Painters of Chicago, Colorado, Seattle and in Italy.
Markclevelandart LLC is a registered Limited Liability Corp. in Illinois
Email: mark.cleveland@comcast.net
Website: Www.Markclevelandart.com
Instagram: @markclevelandart
Facebook: markclevelandart
Shop Evanston Made: Mark Cleveland
In the Media
Outdoor Painter Feature- Denver Pavillion, Oct 2025
Judge’s Notes: This painting is very inviting, friendly, and has a welcoming mood. An excellent blending of realism and painterly interpretation. A nice study of how to capture hard architectural surfaces. Good light/shadow pattern creates solid dimensional shapes
The art of making art: Mark Cleveland – Evanston RoundTable, October 11, 2021
“What he discovered was amazing beauty and untold stories all around Evanston.”
The captivating creativity of Mark Cleveland, Evanston RoundTable, July 26, 2021
“…when you put something out in the universe that you’re supposed to do, you’re finally answering something, and then it kind of grabs you and takes hold.”
In the News:
Mark Cleveland Exhibit at Pour
Evanston Roundtable – EAC Town & Country Exhibit