About Mark DeRaud

artist, design-thinker, teacher, blogger

Mark DeRaud is a self-taught artist who showed promise as a young teen when his family was stationed in Germany, where he amasses hundreds of drawings copied from the Old Masters. He was a Biblical Studies major at Westmont College and there developed a love for thinking, Bible, and the early Church.

Mark has been a working artist in the Central Valley of California since 1994. Based in Fresno, Mark has worked with interior designers, creating large murals, faux finishes, trompe l'oiel, and commissioned works in some of Fresno's finest homes and businesses. As a liturgical artist, he created the massive altar mural and Stations of the Cross at Holy Spirit Church. 

More than a gallery artist, Mark paints in order to communicate the ideas and experiences of his faith tradition, a contemplative, mystical and liturgical orthodox Christianity. He loves getting into conversations with people when asked about his work, teaching about the Kingdom of God through both image and word.

Along with his work as an artist, Mark spent 1 year as an art professor at Fresno Pacific University, fulfilling a lifelong dream of teaching at the college level. He continues to teach and train in the arts and Biblical Studies, as well as participating in Fresno's arts community. Currently, Mark is developing a program of artistic instruction to help participants find healing and transformation through the arts and neuroscience, and working alongside therapists to help various at-risk clients. Mark has been married to his wife Wendy since 1991, and together they have 3 grown children. 

Husband & Wife Team Mark & Wendy DeRaud

About Wendy DeRaud

Wendy grew up in San Francisco, and was raised by 2 very creative and artistic parents in the cultural climate of the City, so when she met Mark, who was also an artist, she knew he was the one for her. Wendy has always done art. In her 20's, she supported herself with her art by doing portraits, drawing on pottery, calligraphic motifs, and pen and ink drawings, sometimes selling her work at arts and crafts faires in the interior of British Columbia. Specializing in the figure and portraiture, she also enjoys painting in all mediums, but now, after years of spiritual journaling and listening prayer, is also venturing into writing poetry, stories and blogs. An elementary school teacher before getting married and having a family, she also loves teaching and especially loves encouraging people to explore and develop their artistic and spiritual gifts.