Mark Bender’s artisan illustration is classically inspired and hand crafted, combining traditional media with contemporary technology to create compelling imagery that connects with the audience. His visual vocabulary pulls from vintage advertising of the 20’s and 30’s, WPA and propaganda posters, giving contemporary concepts a timeless motif. Mark’s meticulously crafted images have been incorporated into advertising campaigns, packaging, annual reports, CD jackets, children’s books, murals, posters and magazines.

Recognized by Communication Arts Magazine, 3X3 Magazine, Archive 200 Best Illustrators, Creative Quarterly and the New York Society of Illustrators, Mark has been included in the society’s annual exhibitions and in Original Art, the best in children’s book illustration. A member of both the NY Society of Illustrators and the Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators, he has also been awarded both gold and silver Addys and a prestigious silver medal from the New York Society of Illustrators.

Mark has been nurturing young illustrators for more than a decade as a faculty member at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, where he received the 2008 Inez C. Hall outstanding faculty member of the year award. Mark is a proud member of the “Syracuse Syndicate”, receiving a Masters in Illustration from Syracuse University.

CLIENT LIST
Creating contemporary images inspired by classics of the past, Mark’s work has attracted a diverse array of clients including :

• The Boston Globe
• Arthritis Foundation
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
• Magee Hospital of UPMC
• City Theater
• Federated Investors
• Heinz USA
• IBM
• The Kelly Strayhorn Theater
• Pittsburgh Heinz History Center

• PITT University
• National Public Radio
• PLANADVISER magazine
• Simon and Schuster
• Sony Music
• University of Texas at Austin
• University of Chicago
• Virginia Beach Zoo
• East End Brewing Company
• Williamson Dickie

HONORS & EXHIBITIONS