Mackenzie Thorpe was born an artist……his whole life has been about painting and drawing.  From his early years to the present day he has always drawn.

Mackenzie Thorpe’s Triumph Over Adversity

Mackenzie’s humble childhood began in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, an industrial town in Northern England best known as one of the locations included in the film Billy Elliot.  Similar to the film’s story, Thorpe had to overcome tremendous odds to pursue his artistic dreams.  
Thorpe’s early days in Middlesbrough were plagued by his undiagnosed dyslexia, a series of manual labour jobs, long stretches of unemployment and finally a failed suicide attempt.  A friend realized Mackenzie’s drawing talents and encouraged him to go to the local college for art classes.  Twenty years later he has become one of the contemporary art world’s brightest stars.Mackenzie Thorpe’s images of hope, love and joy have been collected by heads of state, celebrities, galleries and collectors worldwide.  Notable devotees include British Conservative Party Leader William Hague and The Rolling Stone’s Bill Wyman.  Recent commissions include a series of paintings for Elton John’s Aids Foundation, and an original work for Princess Anne’s Save the Children Fund.  Thorpe, who struggled to finish school, received an Honorary Degree of Fine Art from Teesside University, Middlesbrough in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the world of contemporary art.  Additional accolades include being named the Fine Art Trade Guild’s Best Selling Artist of 2000.

I have worked in pastels since 1989..I love the immediacy……the contact with pure pigment is exhilarating…….my studio is not a tidy neat environment it is messy, organic filled with the energy and honesty of creating work from your own heart.

“His art is a tool that he uses to encourage awareness in all children of their ability to fulfill their dreams.”  The Japan Times