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Meet Albert Slark, renowned illustrator and portrait painter

(My April 2010 column in the Ajax/Pickering News Advertiser)

You may be surprised to know that we have an internationally acclaimed illustrator living in our midst here in Durham Region. Ajax resident, Albert Slark is one of only three Canadians ever to be asked to paint illustrations (six so far) for the U.S. postal service. And his portrait of celebrated contralto opera singer, the late Marian Anderson is not only on stamps still circulating across the border, but the painting won him an award from the Art Directors Club of Washington and was exhibited at the Society of Illustrators 48th annual exhibition in New York City. And these honours and achievements were widely reported in Toronto daily newspapers and on several television channels.

Slark has, as well, made his mark as a premier book cover illustrator, notably with Harlequin romance publications and publishers of other genres like western, sci-fi, action/adventure and young adult (now at 400 front covers and counting). And he is commissioned, on an ongoing basis to produce editorial and advertising illustrations on both sides of the borders.

Success, however did not come easily to Slark in the early days of his career. After graduating from the Alberta College of Art in 1990, he moved to Toronto and made his first approach to Harlequin with a neophyte portfolio; and approached several name illustrators in the city for assessment of his work and potential. Mostly he was told that he was years away from a level of excellence to warrant being commissioned with projects. So, he went to New York City, the centre of the universe for illustration, as in most things, and was taken under the wing of an agent and of various illustrators there who helped train him and nurture his talent. And in 1994, he achieved a long-standing dream by landing his first Harlequin cover, a commission that launched him into what is now a firmly established and lucrative career.

For his early illustrations, Slark worked painstakingly in oils, but, pressured by the time-constraints of the illustration industry, in 1998 he moved to digital painting. Now he mostly uses oil paints for a recent interest in portrait and still life painting. And is actively seeking commissions and looking into showing his work in galleries. Be amazed by Slark’s acclaimed work at www.theartofalbertslark.com

Meet Albert Slark, renowned illustrator and portrait painter

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