Mark began creating hand-painted miniature kimonos, fusing silk and paper to create a unique vision of the classic Japanese kimono presented as objet d'art. Mark's self-devised technique bonds paper to silk with acrylic polymers, creating a strong, flexible material that can then be cut and sewn with traditional garment construction techniques. The bonded paper surface allows the kimonos to be hand painted with a variety of painting techniques and finishes. Materials used for the construction of the miniature kimonos include, silk fabrics, various papers, including recycled vogue pattern paper, old books, dictionaries, fine Japanese mulberry papers, artist grade acrylic paints, cotton thread, silk twines and the occasional found object.

With a particular love for the work of film directors Jean-Pierre Jeunet and the Brothers Quay, Mark found himself imagining miniature costumes for fantasy and stop motion animation films. His miniature kimonos were born out of these musings. Each piece is a unique canvas for Mark to paint, sew, & piece together, gathering inspiration that runs the gamut from Kabuki to Steampunk.

​

​