“I didn’t choose art as a career it chose me!” says Mark Anthony of Mark Anthony Originals. The Muse chose well in selecting Mark Anthony. He is a multi-talented sculptor who, while still in his twenties, produced powerful sculptures with so much life in them they were acclaimed and commissioned across the United States and abroad.

When working with clay, Mark finds himself becoming one with his art in a spiritual sense.  He identifies with his subject on an internal level, while his imagination soars, imbuing his creation with a sense of life. It is this realism and emotion, combined with flawless excellence of workmanship, that have grabbed the attention of journalists, artists and collectors all over the world.

 

About Mark Anthony

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© Mark Anthony Originals

Administrators of the Mary Martin Memorial Library in Weatherford, Texas, searched for 5 years for a sculptor worthy of creating the figure of Mary Martin. Because she was a local celebrity and many citizens there knew her personally, it had to be perfect and truly life-like. Quite by chance, they took a trip to Fort Worth and decided to dine at The Reata restaurant. They were very impressed by Mark’s statues of Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean this was exactly what they had been looking for!  They immediately began proceedings to commission Mark Anthony to

recreate their beloved hometown hero, Mary Martin. When the completed Mary Martin was on show, complete with custom sequined dress and plumed headdress, it received much acclaim.  Max Showalter (who played Grandpa Fred in the cult classic “Sixteen Candles”) came to view the likeness of his old friend. He gazed into her face for a long time, shedding tears, he was so moved.

Over the years Mark Anthony has been commissioned to create countless bronzes, exquisite dolls and other creations.  A selection of these items can be seen in our Gallery pages.  His dolls and busts have been displayed all over the United States at such prestigious places as the Riki Schaffer Gallery (see Girl With Cat, below) as well as in Europe and Japan.  Of the thousands of pieces he has created, the one that is closest to his heart is the portrait of his own bloodhound Cyrus. You can read the full story of Cyrus by visiting our Cyrus page.

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Mark and wife Judy

News columnist Jon McConal of the Fort Worth Star Telegram in his feature article, “Dolls Are More Than Perfect,” says of Mark Anthony’s creations: “... they look realistic. I almost expected them to start answering my questions.”

At the tender age of 19, Mark was commissioned to sculpt a statue of James Dean by the James Dean Memorial Gallery

in his hometown of Fairmount, Indiana. Mark produced a wonderful likeness of the tragic star, complete with his red jacket and sassy pose.  Some years later the James Dean Gallery asked Mark to make a second statue this time of Jett Rink from the movie “Giant.”

Mark with James Dean from Giant

James Dean, 1989

While commissions for small pieces are welcome, Mark prefers to focus on life-sized, realistic wax-style sculptures of celebrities, as you would see at Madame Tussauds.  Indeed, in 2002 Madame Tussauds invited Mark on a private,

Dr. Eugene & Gisela Watkins

Girl With Cat

Mark with AJ

Cyrus, On The Trail

behind-the-scenes tour of their original London studios. The picture to the right shows Mark with then Head of Portraits Judy Craig and Principal Sculptor Steve Swales.

Judy Craig, Mark and Steve Swales at Madame Tussauds

Mark’s realistic sculptures are currently displayed in museums, libraries, businesses, clubs and private collectors. A few years ago one such collector commissioned a life-sized sculpture of Elvis Presley from the early 1970’s.  She requested he be dressed in a magnificent rhinestone-encrusted jumpsuit,

gold-lined cape, huge rings and an impressive gold belt buckle (see picture, left).  She was so pleased to have her very own Elvis that she created a special room in her home just for Elvis, complete with a revolving stage to delight her guests.

Mark Anthony continues be inspired by experiencing natural and man-made works of art all over the world. The journey continues ...

Elvis Presley, Early 1970’s

The Austrian Alps

Dedham, England

The Louvre, Paris