MARK KELSO IS A NATIVE-BORN HOOSIER, educated in Indianapolis, IN, at John Herron School of Art. He began his professional career in 1992. Mark’s art has since gained worldwide attention and been exhibited and collected globally. His paintings have sold through Christie’s auction house in London, Sotheby’s in New York, and Bonham’s in Singapore. In the year 2000 he was selected as the U.S. representative artist for the international Beauty of Formosa millennial exhibition with the National Museum of Natural History in Taipei, Taiwan. In 2002 his art appeared in a special exhibition at the National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C., and his work is in the permanent collections of museums, corporate collectors, and private collectors worldwide. He is a former inductee of the international Society of Animal Artists and Artists for Conservation organizations, and he has had numerous articles in art publications including Art of the West, Southwest Art, Western Art Collector, Fine Art Connoisseur, and Western Art and Architecture.
Notable Awards and Achievements
2023 Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Quest for the West – Patrons’ Choice Award, Artists’ Choice Award
2021 Buffalo Bill Center for the West, Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale – Spirit Award
2021 Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Quest for the West – Patrons’ Choice Award, Artists’ Choice Award, Henry Farney Painting Award
2020 Buffalo Bill Center for the West, Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale – People’s Choice Award
2020 Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Quest for the West – Purchase Award
2019 Buffalo Bill Center for the West, Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale – People’s Choice Award
2018 Buffalo Bill Center for the West, Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale – Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine Best of Show
2018 Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Quest for the West – Artists’ Choice Award
2013 Waterfowl Festival, Artist’s Choice Award
2012 Susan Kathleen Black Foundation Rose Award
2009 Natureworks, 2-D Best of Show
2006 Carmel International Art Festival, Best of Show
2004 Carmel International Art Festival, Best of Show
2000 Taipei National Museum of Natural History – Beauty of Formosa, Featured Artist
1999 Indianapolis Zoo Arts Festival, Best of Show
1997 Northern Wildlife Art Expo, Judges Award of Excellence
Gallery Representation
Horizon Fine Art, Jackson, WY
Settlers West Gallery, Tucson, AZ
Reinert Fine Art, Charleston, SC