From an early age, I’ve always been fascinated with the way things work and how they fit together. I was fortunate to have parents who were very talented and inspired me early and often to play, take apart, invent, build—and occasionally clean up after myself!
The short version of the story is that I spent years working on visual effects in the film and television industries—work that was fast-paced, cerebral, and eventually drove me crazy. After dropping out of that world, I spent 10 years starting a running a small video production company, and eventually met my lovely wife Ellen and knew that it was time to move out to mountains. In 2012 we dropped a 5th-wheel trailer on raw land in Twain Harte and haven’t looked back. We’re in the middle of building our own house on the land, work that I’m largely doing by myself.
Building things with my hands has always been a great antidote to working on computers, and a great source of curiosity and exploration. I’m particularly fond of wood and steel; but stone, tile, glass and natural, found materials are really great to work with as well. In the last years I’ve been increasingly drawn to reclaimed materials—something that’s already had a life, and can be remade and reshaped in some way. That history informs the creative process, and has a great influence on what the materials become.
Rough Character is the perfect expression of that inspiration: finding elegance and beauty where we might otherwise just see rust and rough edges.
I love a challenge, and creating things that have never been seen before. If you’ve got an idea for something special, or would like me to work with you on something completely unique, please contact me.
— Mark Holmes