Mark Dierker

Artist Statement

Mark loves exploring light and how it is interpreted by a camera.

He began taking photos in the mid-1970's with a fixed lens Yashica camera his
father gave him. In college he developed a love for black and white photography and
the sweeping landscapes of the American Southwest. Working for newspapers after college helped hone his skills in portraiture and documentary photography. He gets much of his inspiration from his frequent travels. His favorite genres are landscape, portraiture, musical performance and Americana. He is an award winning photographer having shown in over 200 galleries around the world. In 2005 he started Bear Dancer Studios to showcase his photographic artwork. He will soon open Widdershins Gallery at Bear Dancer Studios in Dubuque, IA.

Mark received a BA in Journalism with a minor in photography from Adams State
College in Alamosa, CO and is working toward an MA in Communication from the University of Illinois at Springfield.

One of two sons in a military family, Mark was born in Carthage, IL but grew up all over the US. He spent over 25 years in the publishing industry. He is now a freelance photographer and graphic designer and splits his time between his gallery, in Dubuque, IA, and a family farm near Rushville, IL. He lives with Debra, his partner of 27 years and 3 mischievous cats, Gypsy, Ruby and Beryl.