PROCESS

Mark Gotbaum's artistic influences ranged from Renaissance painters to 
classic comic books. His themes, much like his artistic influences, 
were broad, from social commentary to sports and the banal. 
Gotbaum resisted any mechanical or technological aides. He was a master 
technician and the one constant in his art making was the love of process: 
mark making, the touch, the 'schmear', the drip of paint, the accident — 
all are the active elements of his creative play.

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One can also see the influences of the "mean streets" of the east Bronx 
circa 1950, where sports and fighting were the norm but art 
gave him cache and acceptance.  Here Gotbaum first became aware — 
that art had power, while it had quietly captivated his heart.

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“The importance of process, specifically the touch, stroke, scribble –
anything that reveals the hand
 – is of paramount importance to me.
Years ago, I would seduce myself with the mechanical perfection of the airbrush.
Teaching myself airbrush technique, I found myself stifled and imprisoned
by its mechanical perfection. Thus, my suspicion of all things technical,
and my preference for presence of hand,  warts and all – though I recognize
the immediate access to information via the Internet is a wonderful tool,
and helps me realize a portion of my work.” – Mark Gotbaum