This podcast episode explores the artistic journey and influences of Mark Stopforth, an artist specializing in oil paintings of landscapes and skyscapes. Mark discusses his education in installation art, his transition to painting, and the importance of joy and the sublime in his work. He highlights the role of abstraction, process, and childhood memories in inspiring his landscapes. The episode also delves into the influence of the Fens landscape on Mark's art, his preferences and techniques when it comes to paper and mediums, the contrasting approaches to painting on canvas and paper, and the benefits of using oil paints on various surfaces. The episode further explores the influence of conceptual art, the concept of the sublime in art, the influence of Caravaggio on contemporary landscape painting, the importance of experimentation and color palette in art, and the intersection of creativity and discipline. It also discusses the challenges of navigating opportunities and the art market as a full-time artist, the issue of vanity galleries, and the importance of repetition and social media in art.