Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Mullino.
Mark, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was a child artist and took piano lessons from 2nd grade through college. In my junior year of high school, I stopped taking art to join theatre. I wasn’t to paint again till I was 38. In college I studied music composition and started doing professional theatre as an actor at 24. I traveled throughout the US doing theatre in Florida, Utah, Massachusetts and evening children’s theatre in New York. I relocated back to Dallas after a job performing in Forever Plaid at Casa on the Square in Fort Worth ran for several years. I started musical directing in 1999 and found my way back to painting in 2004. Now I am a full-time painter/musical director/vocal coach.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Nothing in the arts is smooth. Some months you make more money than you ever dreamed other months you fear you may lose everything. I’ve been fortunate to have fairly consistent work. I average about 120 paintings a year. 6-10 theatre shows. COVID has proven to be a huge obstacle. Suddenly, I have no shows for, most likely, the rest of the year. Vocal coaching takes a hit here too because it must be fine virtually online. Thank God painting can still be done normally, however most of the paintings I’m doing now were paid for in January. The plus side here is that I’m receiving more online hits on my art due to an increase in social media viewership due to COVID. It’s still a very trying time. My income has been slashed to almost nothing.
Please tell us about your work.
As an artist, I combine music and art in a way most artists do not. In fact, I know of no artists who do what I do. I also use a stained-glass effect on my paintings that’s unique to me, as far as I know. As a Music Director, my background is in acting as well as music. For many years, I told no one I played piano for fear they would want me to play over acting. There are other musical directors who act, but I think it helps the understanding between singer/actor and musical director when I’ve been in their shoes. I’m most proud of students who are now making their career in this business. I also find great joy in finding my art where I wasn’t expecting it. It happens often!!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Oh geez! Luck is a lot for me. I am an average pianist, an average artist and a decent musical director who has been fortunate enough to make my career doing it. I feel like the luckiest man in the world.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5115 Stoneleigh Ave
Dallas TX 75235 - Phone: 2146737529
- Email: mrkmullino@aol.com
- Instagram: Mrkmullino
- Facebook: Mark Mullino
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