The Story? 

Minty (AKA Mark McDonnell) is a London born artist who began painting over 20 years ago and has completed commissions for clients all over the world. In the beginning, he focused more on pop art but over time, has experimented with more realistic styles while merging with the original pop art feel. Looking back, you can see a difference in his work in which he would now say is more graphic artistry than pop art. Over his career as an artist, Minty has refined his own style, which is recognisable, identifiable imagery which you see before you. 

The Subject? 

Minty finds peoples portraits the most interesting and challenging to create. He enjoys the challenge that comes with trying to capture a person’s personality, their essence, not just their likeness. Minty loves working with clients who are brave and bold with their colour choices as colour can have such an impact and add sense of drama to the on the overall feel of the painting. 

The Inspiration? 

Simply put, the legendary Charlie Chaplin,makes an astonishing and emotive speech about mankind, freedom, unity, and the power of the people and how life is a wonderful adventure. The motion picture “The Great Dictator”, so powerful was his monologue, it reasonated and remained with Mark as a remarkable piece of movie history. 

In 2019, Paolo Nutini – Iron Sky was playing on the radio and it quotes some of the more impactful and emotional lines from Chaplin’s speech. It instantly reignited a passion for adventure so Minty decided it was time to create a website, so that he could bring more colour to a world that was feeling a little grey and share it with you, “the people” 

“You, the people have the power - the power to create machines. The power to create happiness! You, the people, have the power to make this life free and beautiful, to make this life a wonderful adventure. Let us all use this power, let us all unite!” 

The Final Speech from the Great Dictator – Charlie Chaplin 

The above painting was created during the COVID lockdown and where we all celebrated the great work of those in the NHS. Remember we all stood outside our houses and clapped/cheered for those people...... in 2023 this all now seems to be forgotten, with the current UK Goverment not even wanting to give them fair pay.