mark ivan cole

Mark Ivan Cole is a leading contemporary pastel artist whose work is defined by a lifelong immersion in the world’s most rugged landscapes. Raised in the Andes Mountains of South America, Cole developed an early fascination with vast vistas and tectonic scales—a perspective that continues to inform his practice today.

Now based in North America, he remains an avid explorer, translating his experiences hiking through mountainous regions into evocative, atmospheric paintings His deep connection to the Scottish Highlands further reflects his draw to the ancient and the wild. A Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America and an award-winning artist, Cole creates work that serves as a bridge between the physical act of exploration and the emotional resonance of the natural world.