Mark Compton: On the Risk and Joy of Making Art

Welcome to part three of our series Following Christ in the Whole of Life. In this episode, Sam Bloore talks with Mark Compton about his vocational journey as a maker and visual artist. Mark reflects on the risk and challenge of full-time art practice, the Church and the arts, and the joys of hands-on problem-solving and collaboration.

Mark Compton started his career as a screen printer, working for 12 years with a company that specialised in fine-art screen prints for many of the dealer galleries in Aotearoa, New Zealand. He then worked for three years as an artist himself, specialising in paint and print-making, producing numerous paintings of native birds, cheeky nods to the unfolding recession, and much more. Mark is also a qualified builder, providing another context to make, problem-solve, and create beauty; building has also proved fertile ground for Mark’s creative lens to grow and be re-formed.

Currently you’ll find Mark slinging coffees alongside his wife, Naomi, in their coffee caravan, Fred. He’s also leaning back into the world of art-making and image creation after some years away. Mark and Naomi live by the beach in Orewa, north of Auckland, and have two children, Adley and Jack.

This conversation offers an absorbing insight into the journey of a contemporary Christian artist. So, slow down, press play and enjoy. Or, as Mark puts it, “give it a nudge”.

Arohanui,

Dr. John Dennison

Director of Resources, Venn Foundation

P.S. to see the images referred to in the episode, check out Mark’s work for Common Ground titled “Return to Wonder.” It’s a beautiful addition to this conversation.