Mark AlessiLike so many others, I have enjoyed drawing since I could hold a pencil. I would draw whenever I could, starting with Peanuts characters such as Snoopy and Charlie Brown. Seeing my interest in drawing, my mother enrolled me in art lessons from the ages of 12 to 16. At the age of 13, I sold my first painting to a friend of our family. This encouraged me to continue practicing my artwork.
Drawing with pencil (in monochrome) became my passion. I engaged in other media forms in my early years, but stuck mostly with pencil, pen and ink, and acrylic painting. In college I majored in computer science, moving away from thoughts of graphic design, not wanting to do art as "work" under someone else's deadlines. I viewed my artistic talent as a gift from God, finding it a natural form of relaxation and worship. I finished my college career with a degree in computer science, a one year Bible certificate, and a handful of art courses under my belt. Soon after college came marriage, full-time work and four children. I set aside much of my drawing time and picked up a camera, finding photography to be more conducive to my schedule. Over the years, I drew when I could, mostly portraits of grandkids when the time came and an occasional cartoon or pamphlet illustration. Digital drawing also became an interest, and I experimented with it to see what digital applications could offer in the way of drawing techniques and illustration. After 35 years as a database manager, I retired in 2021. Now I am able to work on my favorite art styles again, plus explore new techniques, for which the Irondequoit Art Club has been very instrumental by exposing me to many ideas. Watercolor has become a new favorite of mine as I enjoy experimenting with applying colors using different watercolor methods. My wife and I moved to East Irondequoit in the spring of 2021 to be near our children and grandchildren. In the small Allegany county community we lived in before, I often donated my time providing photographic services to organizations like the local Lions Club and our public school. Reach me by email: [email protected]. View my artwork on Flickr and Facebook and the Sunday School Web Page 
Genevieve Pratt, pen & ink, 1997, copyright Mark Alessi
Sadie, pencil, 2020, copyright Mark Alessi
Sunflower, digital pen, 2022, copyright Mark Alessi
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Celtic Dragons, digital pen laser-engraved on watercolor paper, 2023, copyright Mark Alessi
Fall Moon (20"x30"), acrylic latex, 2023, copyright Mark Alessi
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Fern, Watercolor, copyright Mark Alessi
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Sea Foam, watercolor, 2023, copyright Mark Alessi
Blue Dragon, watercolor and pen & ink, 2024, copyright Mark Alessi