Daily Inspiration: Meet Mark Jerar

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Jerar.

Hi Mark, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

My journey as an artist began with formal training at the State Academy of Fine Arts in Armenia, where I built a strong foundation in painting while exploring different ways of expressing ideas through art. Early in my career, I participated in several group exhibitions, experiences that helped shape my confidence and artistic voice.

Over time, I became less interested in technical perfection and more interested in creating work that communicates directly through emotion, instinct, and presence. That search gradually led me to develop what I call “Raw Minimalism” an approach that strips away the unnecessary and allows each painting to speak through simplicity, texture, and gesture.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. Like many artists, my journey has involved constant experimentation, self-doubt, and the challenge of finding an authentic voice. While my academic training gave me a strong technical foundation, it also took years of questioning and unlearning before I arrived at a style that truly felt like my own.

Choosing a more minimal and intuitive direction wasn’t always the easiest path. My work became less about meeting expectations and more about expressing something honest and immediate. That meant accepting uncertainty and trusting my instincts, even when the outcome wasn’t predictable.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

I create contemporary paintings through an approach I call “Raw Minimalism” using simplicity, texture, and intuition to express emotion rather than tell a literal story. I’m most proud of developing a style that feels true to who I am instead of following trends. I think what sets my work apart is its honesty. I leave space for viewers to interpret the paintings in their own way, making each experience personal.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?

I don’t rely on many specific tools or routines. I find the most inspiration in visiting galleries, spending time in nature, and simply observing everyday life. Reading about art and studying the work of artists I admire also helps me keep learning. More than anything, painting itself is what keeps me curious, inspired, and grounded.