Artist Stays in Practice at Age 83

Artist Mark Florian, 83, says he paints four to five hours a day to keep himself sharp.

That work ethic probably goes back to the Great Depression when he managed to find jobs as a grocery store delivery boy, billboard painter, theater poster artist and sign painter in a tire factory.

“I hated that tire shop,” said the former South Bend, Ind., resident. “I couldn’t stand the smell in that place.”

Florian felt he needed more serious art jobs and decided at age 21 to head for California.

“I went the route of a hobo and jumped trains to get there,” he said. He ended up in Long Beach where he found work as an apprentice window display decorator. “I slept in the back of the store because I didn’t have any money. Those were hard times.”

Florian continues to produce quality artwork in many mediums with acrylics, oils and watercolors in the art studio in his La Habra Heights home.

“When I get tired I just stop,” Florian said. “You can’t paint if you are tired. You’ve got to have the strength, enthusiasm and concentration to make any kind of a successful picture.

Some of his work is abstract, some realistic and some a combination of the two.

Other paintings are the result of his extensive world travels when he takes pictures and makes sketches of street scenes, landscapes and buildings.

“I especially like Europe and its history, and I love the buildings and trees there,” said Florian, a signature member of the National Watercolor Society.

For 23 years, Florian has also worked once a week as a portrait sketch artist at El Cholo restaurant in La Habra.

“That also helps me stay sharp,” he said.

Florian said he has been painting since the fourth grade, when he was singled out for a Christmas card he created.

“The nuns gave us a Christmas card to copy and one of them took my card up in front of the class,” he remembers. “Jeepers,” I said to myself, “I’m going to be an artist.”

From that time, “all I wanted to do was draw and paint.” His mother was a dressmaker and his father a salesman, “but I had an uncle who was an artist.”

To make a living he worked as a graphic artist in a number of jobs. The final 28 years of his working life, the father of four was the head of the graphic arts department at Harvey Aluminum.

Since retiring at age 62 he has continued to paint and travel and often serves as an art juror.

He is a juror for the La Habra Art Assn. “Emerging Artists Show” that ends Jan. 30.

“I guess I have gained a reputation over the years,” said Florian, who has a closet full of awards.

His work was shown at the Whittier Art Gallery in November, and in 1989 he was director of the National Watercolor Society Annual Exhibition.

Often he has painted stage scenery at the La Habra Depot Theater. He also helped paint a permanent mural in the La Habra Heights Community Building.

Florian said he plans on more travel.

“I need to get regenerated to do some more painting,” he explained.