Mark Billy was born and raised in Los Angeles and resides in Pasadena, CA. His interest in drawing and painting started at an early age. His first influence was watching his uncle copy drawings out of the Sunday comics. His father was an engineering draftsman whose technical skills awed Mark as a young child. Mark obtained his BA in Architecture from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. After his third year Mark spent a year abroad in Florence, Italy where he was exposed to art and architecture of the Italian Renaissance each day. Additionally, Mark’s art teacher, mentor and soon to be life-long friend, Mort Dimondstein introduced Mark to the abstract artists Rothko, DeKooning, Motherwell and Diebenkorn. This was one of the most transformational experiences of his life. After graduating, Mark began his career as an architect, but never stopped making art. His collection of over 150 sketchbooks is a testament to his passion. Whether Mark is creating collages, woodcuts or drawings, his inspiration comes from many places: be it an Iowa landscape, a bird in the LA River, or an adopted baby Elephant.