MARCUS OSMUN

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 Always a serious practitioner since childhood, Marcus worked diligently to teach himself how to draw properly by copying from life, cartoons, comic books, and studying drawing manuals. At the age of 13, he began a formal oil painting apprenticeship with esteemed artist Norman D. Roth, and still has a close relationship with him. During his teen years, Marcus gained his skills in clay sculpture from artist Paul Sherman, while also learning some tricks of the trade from his mother Pamela, owner of a ceramic business for 17 years.

After some time studying Fine Arts and Literature at the School of Visual Arts in NYC, Marcus moved on and opened his first business at 19 years old; where he picked up airbrushing full time. In between his seasonal schedules, Marcus had a brief work stint at Disney in 1998, followed by travels and studies abroad in France, before finally continuing his formal education in Animation & Film at Sheridan College near Toronto. One of the top art schools in the world, it is very difficult to get into. At the time of his attendance, Sheridan only accepted 50 students per year in a rigorous approval process. Think of it as the "Special Forces" or "Top Gun" version of art schools, where the best were trained by the elite in an array of micro-disciplines. Nearly all attendees go on to lead the creative industries in art, animation, film, television, social media, video games, design, and education.

After his departure from Canada, Marcus moved back to NYC where he was a T-shirt designer and animator for television commercials. Upon returning to Central New York in his mid-twenties, Marcus dove back into custom painting high-end hot rods and motorcycles with colleague Jason Baran of JT’s Customs. In addition, Marcus ran and promoted events with partner and close friend Al Miller for the next decade, until Al's passing; starting the original "Hottest Chick-N-Wing Festival" and revitalizing Syracuse's Inner Harbor near the former "Oil City" neighborhood. Advertising never escaped his grasp either, as Marcus eventually traded automotive painting for full-time graphic design, filming, and marketing work for a great number of businesses and charitable non-profits, as this work aligned with the event planning business.
 

Over the course of his journey, Marcus has accumulated more than 330 "Best Paint" and "1st Place" awards from around the country in custom painting, including recognition from Harley-Davidson, over 30 magazine and book features, and has contributed written articles and literary chapters on painting and art for various publications. His work is privately collected by former Tonight Show Host Jay Leno, and legendary comedian Don Rickles.
 

Parallel to his Graphic Arts journey has been one in the Martial Arts. Marcus has been a student of Japanese Kobujutsu and Jujitsu since 1991 and has travelled the world in pursuit of his training. He frequents Japan, as time allows, and of course has been influenced in his art studies by Japanese history, mythology, woodblock prints, and tattoos.
 

Marcus entered the tattoo trade in 2015, where he owns and operates a popular studio in Syracuse, NY.

He currently focuses much of his efforts in the Fine Art scenes of New York, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami; selling his works and managing other talented artists.

To get the full scope of  Marcus' career and skillsets, view his main art page HERE.