Mark Schilder is an American born visual artist.  Know primarily as an oil painter, his stark portrait oil paintings, with their raw simplicity and striking contrasts, have a unique power to evoke empathy and understanding in viewers. Stripped of unnecessary embellishments, these works focus intently on the subject’s expressions, posture, and subtle emotional cues, drawing attention to the vulnerability and humanity beneath the surface. His use of shadow and light accentuates details, wrinkles, tired eyes, or a hesitant gesture.  Inviting viewers to connect on a deeply personal level. The starkness doesn’t alienate but instead amplifies the shared experiences of pain, joy, resilience, or sorrow, encouraging introspection and fostering a profound sense of compassion for the subject’s untold story.  

Though his primary medium is oil paint, his talents stretch far beyond the canvas, encompassing photography, illustration and writing.  Schilder is an artist who prefers to be recognized as a visual artist rather than confined to the label of an oil painter demonstrates a deep commitment to creative freedom and evolution.  Schilder has been able to carve out space for artistic exploration without the constraints of audience expectations or market pressures. This strategy allows him to fully embrace a particular medium's unique language and techniques, fostering growth without the fear of being pigeonholed into a singular artistic identity.  Ultimately, his approach challenges the conventional boundaries of artistic categorization and highlights the importance of fluidity and reinvention in the pursuit of true artistic freedom.