Mark Gould earned a BFA from the University of Iowa; has done post-graduate work at the University of Iowa, University of Colorado, University of Denver, Colorado State University, and the University of New Mexico; and participated in concentrated study at the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design and at the Denver Art Students League. Impacted by impermanence in his childhood and influenced by his experience as a general contractor, Gould frequently paints an idyllic home, a safe haven of solace and consistency that he never had. The artist is known for manipulating color, saying “I don’t feel I have to use colors as they are exactly in nature. I often use whatever colors I have on my palette or whatever I randomly reach for while at the easel. I’m never adverse to risk-taking as it often delivers more impact.” He believes “my work flows back and forth between challenge and satisfaction; it’s a creative endeavor that provides a sense of purpose, accomplishment, relief, and fulfillment.” Gould currently lives and works in Taos, New Mexico.