From time to time an artist appears who so combines imagination and skill that the world of art cannot long deny him his due without diminishing itself. G. Mark Mulleian is such an artist. Born in San Francisco in 1947, Mulleian since the age of thirteen has dedicated himself to one purpose, the greatest possible development of his natural artistic talents. Though his gifts are considerable, he knows that nothing short of supreme effort will enable him to realize his goal. A sixteen hour workday is not unusual for him. And if towards the end of such a day, his energy wanes, he refortifies himself by recalling something Michelangelo once said, "If people knew how hard I have had to work to gain my mastery, it woulden't seem so wonderful." That so young a man has attained so great a proficiency in his chosen field is rare enough: what is truly extraordinary is that Mulleian has done it without any formal art training. He has studied and practiced his craft alone. A few art books, periodic visits to local museums, constant attention to the visual aspects of all forms of life and matter, and an informing imagination have more than supplied the want of teachers. Mulleian's personal experience has given him a vivid sense of the now. Vietnam; the Ted offensive; his artillery position under bombardment; huddled in silence and fear with twelve buddies in an old dilapidated bunker; he stands up and utters a prayer to his God, and moments later a 75 millimeter mortar round explodes though the bunker roof, a inch and a half thick dry rot peace of wood; Amazingly no one is killed, or even injured. That kind of immediate experience often makes a believer out of a non-believer.