Mark Messersmith
Since moving to the Southeastern United States in 1985, I have been fascinated with the uniqueness of the regions environment, and the beauty of its lands and animals. While both land and animals are vulnerable, they share a strong determination for survival and can still offer potential dangers for the unwary visitor.

This Southern landscape I paint, is at least for awhile, still out there someplace, somewhere just beyond the urban sprawl, shopping malls, and trailer parks. It is a land of myths and facts, still inhabited by powerful birds, vigilant panthers, weary gators, blackwater swamps, old cypress trees, back road citrus stands and careening logging trucks.