The Original Visual Biography

The Original Visual Biography

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The Story of a Business

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The Burrells, Cumbria

Christmas Cards of The Burrells, Cumbria

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High Wick Farm, USA

Whitehall, Cheshire

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Creating the Artwork

Appleby Castle, Cumbria

Portraits can also show the surrounding estate

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The Colour Makers House

 - Home of the First Visual Biography and pigment making workshops

Commissioning Your Story as a Classic Work of Bespoke Art

Collaborate with a master artist to create a unique piece of art that embodies your achievements and personal legacy. An heirloom to cherish. Each artwork is crafted with timeless sophistication, blending elements of place and time and utilising centuries-old techniques infused with a contemporary twist.

“Thank you so much for all the energy, love and work you have put into the drawing - it looks beautiful”

- Rt Hon Rory Stewart OBE, writer, adventurer, politician and diplomat


to discover more

"I Love your gorgeous work!"


 - Susan Nicole Gibbs

Twinhouse Art Advisory, USA



 to discover more

"Mark and Phil more than fulfilled my dream of an artwork that illustrates my last life over 6 decades."

- Dr Speed Andrews, Cumbria


to explore the story behind visual biographies

Your exclusively commissioned artwork will be personalised to reflect who you are. 


Having dared to pursue your dreams and achieved much, you stand apart from most of humanity. Therefore, Mark, the artist, will collaborate with you to create a unique piece of bespoke art that encapsulates your journey, whether it represents your current home or combines various elements that highlight significant moments in your life as a visual biography.


Your artwork will be crafted using traditional methods that revive the rich heritage of pigments and paints, employing techniques reminiscent of the old masters. The result will be a prestigious masterpiece created with meticulous attention to detail.


To discover if the artist will work with you, please join the waiting list, where you will be asked a few questions to see if you are a good fit -


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Your story is unique.


You are one of a kind, but are you special enough to inspire Mark, the artist and visual storyteller, to work with you? He skillfully intertwines the past and present to create masterpieces representing your future legacy.


Mark has travelled the UK for thirty years, creating architectural portraits of family homes and renovated historic properties. His art is found in a captivating mix of private and commercial collections and in public spaces in his beloved hometown of Appleby, where it is showcased through stunning murals and informative boards.


In true homage to the old master painters, Mark formulates many of his colours from molehills, rocks, and traditional alchemy, breathing life into powerful images that tell stories and reflect a profound sense of place, making your piece even more exclusive.


Your legacy deserves to be transformed into art that resonates through time.

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The artist making pigments in his workshop

The Colour Makers House,
Appleby in Westmorland

Inspired by Clients

For several years, the artist has been captivated by an old building located in the heart of Appleby-in-Westmorland, a former county market town. This building, which has remained empty and slowly decaying for over twenty years, still retains many original period features. Our plan is to renovate the house, which was rebuilt in 1677 over medieval foundations.


Unique Art Shop

Currently, the building houses a traditional art shop that old master artists such as Turner and Rubens would have been familiar with. The shop features rows of enchanting coloured pigments sourced from around the world. It also includes gift sets and studio-made ochres.


The Colour Makers Workshops

The artists use traditional skills, alchemy, and processes to create coloured paints and pigments from local rocks and molehills, enhancing the uniqueness of your artwork. You are invited to explore the paint and pigment-making demonstrations to fully appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into creating art.


The Artists Studio

You are welcome to meet the artist in his studio, where you can view works in progress and explore his portfolio. This space is the artist's favourite room, boasting an uneven floor and a Victorian fireplace set into an even older one.

The Colour Makers House

Comments from the Heritage Open Days


"It was very interesting visit and we bought some paint making materials.


" The visit to the colour makers house in Appleby offered the opportunity to discover something new (the creation of foraged pigment) and was time well spent in the company of an interesting maker. We also enjoyed looking around the house and learning about its history.


" Wonderful place to look around and very helpful owners.


" Fascinating process and wonderful building.


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