Markana Art by Markus Bean

12/17/2025

06/28/2025

Final shots of Resistance, just in time for todays Resistance Art Fair! Hope to see you there!

Resistance is the only reaction I can fathom in the face of the current administration and culture in the United States. As a reaction to the election last fall, I created this piece. Joy is harder to reach for when things feel so unstable and are so outright dangerous. The last thing people moving against human rights and decency want is for us to be happy, to live well and to live in general. So that's my primary form of protest, living my life, finding joy where I can and sticking around.

To see it yourself, join us at the Poor Farms today, Saturday in Mankato Minnesota for the Resistance Art Fair, from 10-5! There will be music, pizza, artists and a whole show of artwork that opposes all of the chaos going on. Coincidentally titled, this show was of course the perfect place for this piece to make its debut to the world.

"Resistance" watercolor and ink on 8x10" paper, 2024-2025.

06/27/2025

Resistance is the only reaction I can fathom in the face of the current administration and culture in the United States. As a reaction to the election last fall, I created this piece. Joy is harder to reach for when things feel so unstable and are so outright dangerous. The last thing people moving against human rights and decency want is for us to be happy, to live well and to live in general. So that's my primary form of protest, living my life, finding joy where I can and sticking around.

Scroll for the final line work shots, and a cute moment with my very devoted studio assistant.

To see it yourself, join us at the Poor Farms this Saturday in Mankato Minnesota for the Resistance Art Fair, from 10-5! There will be music, pizza, artists and a whole show of artwork that opposes all of the chaos going on. Coincidentally titled, this show was of course the perfect place for this piece to make its debut to the world.

"Resistance" watercolor and ink on 8x10" paper, 2024-2025.

06/25/2025

Resistance is the only reaction I can fathom in the face of the current administration and culture in the United States. As a reaction to the election last fall, I created this piece. Joy is harder to reach for when things feel so unstable and are so outright dangerous. The last thing people moving against human rights and decency want is for us to be happy, to live well and to live in general. So that's my primary form of protest, living my life, finding joy where I can and sticking around.

Scroll for progress shots, I had so much fun creating the scrollwork on this piece.

To see it yourself, join us at the Poor Farms this Saturday in Mankato Minnesota for the Resistance Art Fair, from 10-5! There will be music, pizza, artists and a whole show of artwork that opposes all of the chaos going on. Coincidentally titled, this show was of course the perfect place for this piece to make its debut to the world.

"Resistance" watercolor and ink on 8x10" paper, 2024-2025.

06/23/2025

Last Monday I got to run a paint your own ladybug station for kids at the Kids Get Crafty event, held at the Giving Barn out at Sibley Park. This fantastic event was held by the Blue Earth County Library and Mankato Makerspace. Dustin gave an awesome clay demo then the kids got to go to 4 different craft stations and made so many crafts they were so excited about.

These photos are from my table, where we gave our ladybugs smiles, painted them with watercolor and then used glue to add googly eyes and dots. It was so much fun to watch each artist make their choices. Each lady bug turned out completely unique, and we all had a great time. I absolutely love for doing events like these, and getting to listen to the kids get excited about art.

Thanks so much to and for creating this event, and asking me to participate!

05/15/2025

Last month I got to teach a kids watercolor class at the Mankato Makerspace through their Artists of Tomorrow kids classes. We painted watercolor scenes, and designed our own sparkly fish complete with glittering scales.

The kids and I all loved this project, so fun seeing how each fish turned out completely unique.

As always, thank you to the for this opportunity. I truly love teaching these classes.

05/13/2025

Last week my folks stopped in town and we went to lunch at Happy Chef, their favorite Mankato spot. I'm terrible at coordinating cards on time so this year I leaned in and gave them each a combo card, for their birthdays and mothers/fathers day. I had so much fun watercoloring their cards, with florals for my mom and a nickname I gave her back in high school French class, and a vintage foosball player for my Dad.

We had an amazing time at lunch, and then I got to show my Mom the Mankato Makerspace which shed been dying to see. She was mesmerized as I think most people are, and even found a shopping opportunity and gifted Andi and I beautiful glass pendants (shout out to Dustin for the stunning work!)

So glad I got to see them. See the last picture for the placement my Dad chose for his meditating Bigfoot sticker, I cannot stop laughing that he put it on a hymnal from the church I grew up going to.

05/05/2025

Last Thursday we celebrated our 4 year anniversary and had a delightful day, including a wonderful time at the Underworld Exhibit at Mecca Tattoo and Carnegie Art Center. It was a beautiful exhibit and one I hope continues in the future. Check out these amazing pieces!
tattoo

04/30/2025

A few weeks ago we had the best afternoon creating mandalas together at the Mankato Makerspace in my Meditative Mandalas Class. We had such a a fun group for this class, could not have been better vibes. It was such a nice break from the busy spring, and a great way to be reminded that art is important as an outlet for each of us.

Starting with a pencil grid, we followed the instruction packet and my verbal instructions to draw our own mandalas piece by piece. Then we went over them with ink, and finally did a super easy, stunning watercolor technique to create these incredible pieces.

I feel most alive when teaching and sharing in art creation. Truly my favorite thing. I can show you, too. No matter your art experience or inclination this class is a lovely time and will help you learn about mandalas and maybe even incorporate them into your own creative practice. Join me for the May class on Mother's Day, May 11th from 2-4, link/web address in the comments! I'd be honored to have you there!

Thanks so much to everyone that made this class so much fun, and thanks forever to for the opportunity to share art and create it.

04/09/2025

Hey we could all use creative time and an easily accessible way to incorporate it in our daily lives, especially as things get chaotic with busy spring schedules and the general world at large.

Come find both at my mandala class this Sunday @ the Mankato Makerspace! I've got some seats left and join me to hang out while making art. Class is from 2-4 and art experience is not required, anyone can draw this mandala. I'd love to see you there!

Link for reserving your spot is in the comments!