Mark Werner

I’m a Chicago-area artist and Creative Director who has spent my career working with top advertising agencies and global brands. I go by TRACE, a name that goes back to my early days in graffiti and has stayed with me throughout my creative career.

My work combines that graffiti background with abstract and figurative painting, mixed media and sculpture. I tend to work instinctively—building layers, painting over them, scratching them back and letting faces and figures emerge through the process.

Lately, I’ve been especially drawn to samurai and Japanese warrior imagery. I like the contrast between their discipline and tradition and the raw, imperfect way I create.

After spending much of my career creating for other people and brands, my artwork is where I get to create entirely for myself.

What remains is a TRACE.

American Academy of Art, Chicago