Austin James Markis Austin James Markis, 25 an artist based out of Jacksonville Florida, graduated from Flagler College in St. Augustine, with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts. After graduating from Flagler College, I found a passion for pop art, and all around any variation of pop culture from all over the world. Jackson Pollock had a huge impact on me and how I look at the process of creating art. Where looking at it as not just creating an image that must be perfect but bringing something into existence that has a life of its own. Which is why I enjoy the process so much, because I just go with no care in the world. At first, I will have a general idea of what I want to make, but once that ball starts rolling where I get into that zone, I let the creative process take over. Nobody need to be technical when working in the realm of abstract art, which is why I gravitate towards it. You can express you’re feelings to the canvas as an artist, for the world to see and decipher for themselves. The main reason I enjoy creating any form of art, from painting to a sculpture it is a form of meditation that helps me escape everyday life.