The Studios of Cocoa Beach announces the featured artist for the month of May : Mark Palmer of Rockledge.  Mark, a Buffalo NY native, began his art career while living in Washington DC .  After two decades he abandoned his cosmopolitan city life and moved to Paducah KY where he helped pioneer the resurgence of the blighted historic “Lowertown” neighborhood.  He purchased a pre-civil war building and renovated it to house his art gallery, artist retreat and living spaces.

Marks vibrant abstract works range from watercolors to mixed media incorporating acrylic, ink, collage, photo transfer, oil, aquarelle stick, and found objects.  They often seem to balance structure and chaos.  Jessica Dawson, Washington Post art critic says “Mark Palmer’s works on paper may be small - many just a few inches across - but they crackle with energy.”  Mark has exhibited his work in solo and group exhibitions in cities across the country .  His work hangs in private and corporate collections throughout North America and in Australia and Europe.

 Mark says, "My work seeks to reconcile my childhood naivete with adulthood's contrasting realities. A combination of colors, symbolism and figures coalesce in expressing my visceral reaction to the world throughout and around me."

One of Mark’s colorful prints “Duty” will be the prize in the Studio’s monthly giveaway.  To enter this free drawing, visit the Studios any day in May.

Mark’s work can be seen daily at the Studios of Cocoa Beach, 165 Minuteman Causeway in downtown Cocoa Beach.  The non-profit gallery features the work of 30 local artists and offers a full schedule of workshops in a variety of techniques for both adults and children. The Studios is open Monday and Tuesday 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information about exhibits, artists and workshop schedules, call the Studios at 321-613-3480 or visit  www.studiosofcocoabeach.org.