Marko Mavrovich was born in 1960 to Croatian parents living in California. When he was ten, his parents moved back to Croatia with him. They moved around several of the islands off the coast of Croatia, but spent most of their time on the Island of Unije. This was his favorite island, and the beauty of the sea and coastline inspired Marko to begin sketching. With the support of his father Miro, who was a Watercolor Artist, and his mother who was his strongest critic, Marko honed his artistic abilities. During the summers, Marco sold his drawings to German and Italian tourists.

At the age of seventeen, despite encouragement from his parents to attend an art school, Marko chose to enroll in a school for Navigators. He never lost his passion for his art, and for the four years he was at Navigation School, he continued his art. When he was finished with school, he went to work on ships, all the while struggling with his two loves, the sea and his art. It was not until his father died and Marko had moved back to the United States for a better way of life, that his love for his art finally won over his love for the sea. It came after working three and a half years as a commercial diver. “Being underwater in absolute silence helped me clear my thinking.” He said. “I finally realized I should be doing something better with my life.” Marko then began drawing, painting and exhibiting his work in street shows where, he was discovered by established galleries. Those galleries gave him valuable exposure through exhibiting his artwork in tradeshows around the country.

Although he was self-taught, Marko’s artwork has influences of his father, Winslow Homer, and the French Impressionist. His inspiration remains the same as when he first started drawing with pencil and black ink, back when he was little more than ten and living on those islands off the coast of Croatia. It is his love for the ocean and hillsides, and his desire to cap tour the beautiful light effects and color, which has been the prominent theme in his artwork. Among his favorite places of inspiration are, Catalina Island, Laguna Beach, and the old Spanish Missions. He also spends time in parts of Europe and in Croatia where he has enjoyed considerable success and prestige.