Mark Demsteader was born in 1963 in Manchester where he still lives and works. He started life as a butcher but in his early 30's, left the family business to follow his dream of becoming an artist. He trained at Oldham Art College and The Slade in London but is largely self taught having spent many years studying the figure at life drawing classes and developing a unique style through close observation of the human form.

In recent years, Mark's reputation has flourished. His powerful depictions of the female form in clean and assured lines of pastel and gouache have sparked a renaissance of interest in traditional life drawing. This immense technical ability is tempered by the natural sensitivity with which he imbues each subject. Although isolated in the picture plane, each model seems to live and breathe, their expression and poise conveying a sense of narrative that invites the viewer to ask more questions about them then the artist answers.