About Mark

Mark Dance was born on October 31, 1964. His life has been shaped by many influences and founded on an artistic heritage that began in the 1700's. Dance is a descendant of the eighteenth century artists and architects, Nathaniel and George Dance. These early Dances influenced as much as thirty percent of London's architectural layout. Nathaniel Dance, a founding member of the Royal Academy is known for a portrait he painted of Captain James Cook as well as portraits of George III and his Queen. Nathaniel's son, George who was also a founding member of the Royal Academy, painted a portrait of Captain William Bligh and succeeded his father as city surveyor and architect in 1768.

The "Brandywine Tradition" has been a constant influence for Mark Dance throughout his life. Mark's father, Robert Dance, studied at the Philadelphia Museum College of Art where he thrived under the instruction of Henry Pitz and W. Emerton Heitland. Henry Pitz was a well known early twentieth century illustrator who authored books on Howard Pyle and the Brandywine School. Robert Dance is today known to be one of America's premier maritime realists.

In 1992, Mark received a bachelor of fine arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. At that time he moved into the Chadds Ford Area. Here, the collections of the Brandywine River Museum and the masters of the Pennsylvania Impressionists movement are key to Mark's focus. Other artists such as John Twachtman, Childe Hassam and J. Alden Weir inspire Dance as well. However, one of Mark Dance's greatest influences and one of the strongest friendships he has known is the kind guidance he has found through Rea Redifer. Redifer, one of the most regarded artists of the Delaware Valley and Robert Dance have undoubtedly inspired much of what is to be admired in Mark's work.

Mark Dance's work can be seen at Strodes Mill Gallery, Inc., 1000 Lenape Road, West Chester, Penna., 610-429-9093.

More Info:
Robert Dance: www.robertbdance.com
Rea Redifer: www.rearedifer.com

Tribute

Rea Redifer

By Mark Dance - I suppose my thoughts reflecting upon Rea may be personal but I am happy to share a few.

Twenty years ago, when I endeavored to become an artist, I realized that I was entering into a lonely life where friends were few and far between simply because we work in exile. As a transplanted southerner new to the Chadds Ford area, I did not know many people outside of my wife's family. Unremarkable circumstances brought Rea to my attention. Read More

Essays

The Kent House

By Mark Dance - It is said that a thing can be defined by it’s environment. Rockwell Kent’s house on Monhegan Island certainly proves this observation. It does so by withstanding nearly one hundred years of harsh New England winters and everything that a fierce sea can throw at it. With his own hands, Rockwell Kent designed and built the little house for his mother. He anchored it onto Monhegan’s shattered rocks just above the high tide line and it has endured to become the summer home and studio of Jamie Wyeth. Read More

Past Shows

The Brandywine Murals

Theme Costume Ball - On October 22, 2005, the courtyard of the museum will be transformed into the deck of a pirate ship that has sailed the high seas complete with mast, crows nest and cannons.

Mark Dance has created a series of large murals that decorate the courtyard that includes over seventy feet of Caribbean seascape. Read More

Twin Lakes Brewing Company

Frolic Weymouth's Original Art Studio - On October 4, 2006, the artist's presented works appeared in his forst solo exhibition at the site of Frolic Weymouth's first art studio- now a part of the Delaware Valley's most popular hand-crafted microbrewery. Read More

Winterthur Point to Point Races

"Short Story"
A painted Rocking Horse by Mark Dance

Winterthur Point to Point Races has asked a group of Brandywine Valley artists to donate their skills by decorating a wooden rocking horse. A silent auction will take place leading up to and ending on race day, Sunday May 3rd 2009. All proceeds are to benefit Winterthur's Point to Point.

Mark Dance has painted and decorated "Short Story" in early American colors with a motif of floral, ivy and animals somewhat similar to the Pennsylvania Dutch style. The rocking horse has a custom mane made of hemp twine and his reins are made of braided leather lace with aged bone beads. Read More
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The text, photos & artwork used in this web site are protected under U.S. Copyright Law and may not be used in any form, in whole or in part, without express written permission of Mark Dance.