Temptation and tenderness in the works of former monk, artist Mark Arian

American artist Mark Arian is one of the most famous contemporary painters in the United States. His works can be seen in many museums in his homeland, as well as in the British Museum in London, the Australian Museum and the Art Gallery of South Australia. Most of the artist's paintings are dedicated to women, and among them there are many canvases with erotic themes. It is hard to believe that they were painted by a man who spent a significant part of his life in a monastic monastery.

Mark Arian was born in 1947 in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. He began drawing at preschool age. He was fascinated by copying illustrations from books about animals and portrait photographs. After graduating from school, Arian entered the University of Marysville in Missouri, where he studied painting and sculpture.

At the age of 21, Mark made a decision that was unexpected for everyone. He became a monk and dedicated the next 18 years of his life to serving God. All this time, Arian continued to paint. The monastery management had a positive attitude towards his work and the artist was able to travel around the world, participating in exhibitions.

Over time, the artist realized that he could follow the creative restrictions imposed by his position. He left the monastery and returned to secular life. From that moment on, Marc Arian devoted himself entirely to his work. Among the masters who influenced his development as a painter, Arian names the Dutch masters Johannes Vermeer, Peter Paul Rubens and Rembrandt van Rijn.

The artist's works are characterized by the use of subtle color variations, play with light and shadow, and careful drawing of clothing fabrics and draperies. The images he creates are airy and filled with light sexuality. Mark Arian is known not only for his paintings. He created unique frescoes in the Golden Palace, the largest tourist attraction in West Virginia. Also, by order of the authorities of this state, the artist painted two six-meter frescoes on a historical theme for the Wheeling Civic Center.

Russian artist Aidemir Saidov works in a similar style, and is also inspired by the beauty of the female body.