Mark Carlson grew up in a rural small town in northern Minnesota surrounded by artisans associated with the bustling lake country tourist market. Reared on a family fishing resort, Mark credits his ability to tackle issues with the constant, day-to-day problem solving associated with running and managing a multi unit enterprise.

As early as high school, Mark knew that art and metal would become part of his life.  His first commission, a metal sculpture/water fountain was built in his junior year of high school.  His industrial arts instructor, Mr. Gary Anderson, was both instrumental in his development and often quite perplexed by the veracity of his intent (as well as his excessive consumption of metal resources; single handedly consuming over eighty percent of the school’s annual metal allotment).

He went on to study art and literature at Oxford University in England, art and business at Texas Lutheran University and earned his Masters of Arts Degree at Central Michigan University, graduating with honors.

He continued his technical education at the prestigious Turley Forge and Blacksmithing School, the New England School of Metalworking, the Bill Pieh Resource for Metalwork, the Big Blu Power Hammer School and many others. He has studied under a number of Master Blacksmith’s, is a member of the Guild of Metalsmiths and the Artists Blacksmiths Association of North American.  Mark is a veteran of the United States Air Force.

Today, Mark is a full-time artist living and working in northern Minnesota, creating imaginative and functional pieces in metal.  Inspired by nature, he has a passion for turning the cold medium of raw iron into warm and inviting creations.  His work can be found in over twenty states within the United States.