Illyrian King (2025) Drawing by Mark Bucaj

As an artist, my creative journey has been a reflection of resilience, pain, and hope. Since childhood, I’ve been deeply connected to the act of drawing and painting, but personal battles with trauma, PTSD, depression, and anxiety once led me to abandon my craft. My life has exposed me to experiences of horror, and my art often explores themes of suffering and the human condition, rich with hidden messages and layered symbolism. Together, my works form a cohesive narrative—a story of endurance where even the darkest pieces reveal glimmers of hope. My art is  intended for collectors who recognize the profound emotional and conceptual depth within it. My art, often dark and abstract, weaves intricate details—hidden cities, oceans, and more—that only reveal their full significance when viewed as a collective whole. Though these works will remain separate, their conceptual unity forms an image of immeasurable worth.

I create as a protector, burdened by the fading presence of strength and integrity in today’s society. I feel like a relic of a bygone era, an old soul marked by scars. My work reflects a truth often unseen by simple minds—a reflection of the complexities of life, of suffering, and of an undying will to endure. In parting with my art, I aim to leave a legacy for my nieces and nephews, offering them not just financial security but a lasting piece of my spirit. As an artist, I embrace solitude and authenticity, valuing the strength of a lone lion over the comfort of the crowd. My final works are a testament to this philosophy, a culmination of a life shaped by struggle and guided by fierce independence.

• Nationality: UNITED STATES
• Date of birth : 1979
• Artistic domains:
• Groups: Contemporary American Artists