About Albert Slark
Bio
Award-winning artist Albert Slark grew up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He developed a passion for drawing and painting at an early age. He began developing his skills by drawing superheroes and fantasy characters like Tarzan and Conan, filling up sketch book after sketch book. Sighting influences like artists Boris Vallejo and Frank Frazetta. He painted fantasy master copies and drew comic books. He won all the art awards in high school. In 1990, he graduated from the Alberta University of the Arts, majoring in Visual Communications and Fine Art. Post-graduate studies include classical drawing and painting with Michael John Angel, 1992, in Toronto. He also studied privately and at the Art Students League, N.Y.
with realist artists Steven Assael andMax Ginsburg.
Albert started working as an illustrator since the mid 1990s, he has illustrated posters, ads for commercials, Sci/Fi game covers, postage stamps for the USPS and more than anything else cover art for paperbacks and novels. He has illustrated book cover art; crossing genres from action adventure to romance and everything in between for publishers across North America. He is highly sought after for his romance and western paperback covers. Some of his cover art can be seen on Pinterest and he has illustrated well over 600 book covers to date. Paperback illustration enabled Albert to paint portraits and figures in a variety of landscapes and indoor settings, as well as create masterful compositions in a myriad of lighting situations. Hence, paving the way for a career in portraiture.
His big break came in 2003, being only one of three Canadians to be commissioned by the USPS, to paint portraits of celebrities on commemorative postage stamps, featuring celebrities like Marian Anderson, Spencer Tracy, Betty Davis, Barbara Jordan, Paul Robeson and Countee Cullen.
Magazines, Catalogs, Newspapers, and TV
Albert wrote an article titled “Keeping Portraits Fresh,” published in International Artist Magazine. His work is also published in the 2016 and 2013 issues of American Art Collector. The 12th International ARC competition catalog, Pg 78 & Pg 119. The 13th International ARC competition catalog in 2018 on Pg 320, and The Society of Illustrators N.Y. 48th annual competition catalog.
Newspaper articles
The Toronto Sun, Toronto Star, and theNational Post.
Television Interviews
CBC, City TV, CTV, and local cable stations. Albert was proud to be interviewed by Sandy Rinaldo as part of a CTV Canadian success story. He also appeared on Star Portraits Season 2, (A reality TV show) Albert painted the portrait of celebrity Mike Holmes. The painting is now in Mr. Holmes’ private collection.
Awards
Awarded by Art Guild of Scarborough
2023 Juror’s Choice award for Mrs. Gertrude Desrochers,
12”x16” Oil on Canvas
Awarded by The Portrait Society of Canada
2023 People’s Choice Award “Morning Reverie” Digital
2017 Certificate of Achievement, Dr. Alan Hudson. Oil on linen 32”x 40”
2015 Best Portrait Award, Ms. Carmen Whalen. Oil on linen 30”x 40”
2013 Certificate of Merit, Ms. Elora Bates. Oil on canvas 16”x 20”
2011 Certificate of Merit, Mr. Ernest Fisher. Oil on canvas 30”x 36”
Finalist in the 12th Art Renewal Center International Salon 2016/2017 for the paintings “The Muse, ” Oil on Panel, and the portrait of Carmen Whalen.
Finalist in the 13th ARC International Salon “Chinese fan & lemon”
The painting of Marian Anderson won an honorable mention awarded by the Art Directors Club of Washington.
In March 2015-Feburary 2016, the portrait of Marian Anderson was exhibited at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, Washington DC. and was also exhibited at the Society of Illustrators 48th Annual Exhibition in New York City.
Teaching
Albert taught concept art at Durham College and currently teaches at his own classical drawing & painting atelier.
Slark Atelier: https://sites.google.com/view/slarkatelier/home
He also teaches workshops..
His hobbies include drawing/painting from life. He loves to read about art, good fiction, science fiction, and comparative religion/philosophy. He really enjoys listening to music and playing drums to
Canada’s prog rock band Rush.
Memberships:
The Portrait Society of Canada, The Portrait Society of America,
Art Guild of Scarborough and Oshawa Art Association.
My Studio
After countless hours behind the easel—blood, sweat, and tears—this is where it all comes together. My greatest joy is delivering a finished portrait that’s approved, cherished, and leaves a client truly happy.