Mark Risius

Heaven on Earth, Abstract Painting

2020

Artist Comments
"I was inspired by the colors of my hometown in Boulder, Colorado - the big blue skies, the pines trees and the Rocky Mountains," says artist Mark Risius. "Heaven feels a bit closer up here." Part of Mark's Woven collection, made from several larger paintings cut into strips and woven over a hand-built wood frame. The piece features custom hanging hardware that allows it to be rotated to any position with ease. As a musician as well as a painter, Mark likes to suggest a song pairing for each piece: "Heaven on Earth is best paired with the song Heaven Is A Place On Earth by Belinda Carlisle."

About the Artist
Artist Mark Risius begins by painting one or multiple abstract pieces, and then he cuts the artwork into strips. To form the final geometric composition, he weaves the canvas pieces together. Mark showed an interest in the arts from a young age and played drums in a garage band in high school. During his senior year, he picked up his first paintbrush, creating an image of a red rose for his girlfriend at the time. Mark continued with music into his early twenties before starting a series of oil paintings on sandstone, which blossomed into an art career. Today, Mark still plays a lot of music - mainly acoustic guitar - and also writes poetry and performs improv comedy. "Creativity has been a beacon of hope for me that helped get me through my earlier years of depression," he confides. To spur his creativity, Mark's home includes two art studios, a music studio and a photography studio. When he's not working, he enjoys hiking and cycling around his home in Boulder, Colorado.

Words that describe this painting: abstract, woven, contemporary, geometric, collage, lines, abstract, non-representational, acrylic painting, brown

Heaven on Earth
Mark Risius
Acrylic painting on stretched canvas
Painting wraps around edges
Ready to hang
One-of-a-kind
Signed on back
2020
48 in. h x 60 in. w x 3 in. d
33 lbs. 0 oz.