Morgan Hill Today 2014 09 Fall | Page 52

MBy Laura Wrede

organ Hill Artist Mark Hoffmann was born in St . Louis , Missouri and has lived in Morgan Hill with his family since May of 2004 . He began his art career in his early twenties illustrating children ’ s books , painting murals , designing greeting cards , creating graphics for a publishing company , and limited edition pins for the Hard Rock Café during the 2002 Winter Olympics . He is often found at local trade shows and art exhibits when he can break away from his other job as a letter carrier with the Post Office in San Jose .
Mark has pursued freelance art work throughout his life . As a self-taught artist , he finds inspiration around the world and has traveled throughout Europe , Australia and the United States . His travels have definitely had an impact on his art , but none as much the as his multiple trips to Disneyland , Walt Disney World , and Disneyland Paris . Mark is a big Disney fan .
He ’ s been fortunate to meet many Disney animators such as Glenn Keane , illustrator of the Little Mermaid and Aladdin ; Andreas Deja who worked on The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast , and Ken Anderson animator for Snow White and The Jungle Book . “ Their work has been a huge influence on my art ,” said Mark . “ I met the Disney Artists at Disney conventions . As you can imagine it ’ s hard to get very much one-on-one time .” The time he did have with them , however , made a lasting impression .
Mark was always fascinated with Disney and Disney ’ s famous and unique art style . “ I ’ ve drawn Disney characters for years for myself mostly , as Disney has such a strong copyright on their
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