What is MTXS dot net?
Simply put, M T X S dot net is this web site and the work of Mark Garretson. MTXS stands for the first names in the Garretson West family ~ Mark, Tracey, Xander and Sally. It also sounds like Empty Excess, quite a profound concept when considering graphic design. Nothing excessive, just what is needed and necessary, the essence of great design distilled to its purest form. Something to really strive for. MTXS also reminds me of INXS, a band that I quite enjoyed as a youth moving from hard rock to pop and punk. All of these ideas coalesce together to form that special something that is MTXS dot net.
About Mark
I am the proud father of two amazing children, Xander & Sally. I am happily married. I am 38 years young! I live in Oakland, CA and I really love the Bay Area and traveling through out Northern California. I enjoy my work as a graphic designer and work hard to do my best. I also have a wacky sense of humor, an endless thirst for new music and always look on the bright side of life. I have just completed my last gig, working for Sanrio.com as web designer. I am available now. I am looking forward to an exciting new opportunity.
As a child of the seventies, I have been twisted and warped by some amazing stuff. Everything from the Muppets to Devo to Ultraman & Godzilla to playing Risk for hours on end has contributed to my unique perspective and personality. Not to mention the influence of great artists, punk rock, some amazing teachers, and of course the love & encouragement of family and friends. My life is indeed many splendored. I consider each day a challenge, and jump out of bed to meet that challenge and smile doing so.
I enjoy a great many things that life has to offer, and I am ready for more. I love cycling, hiking, swimming, camping, skiing, sledding, exploring California, getting lost in the woods, jumping in lakes, antique fairs, tin toys, playing pinball, video games, going out to dinner, cooking, eating pie and pondering the absurdity of the platypus, just to name a few. My favorite films are King of Hearts, Spirited Away, Touch of Evil, Little Miss Sunshine and Serenity. Some of my favorite bands are The Pixies, The Clash, Devo, Thelonious Monk and Louis Jordan. I also fond of food in its many delicious forms such as sushi and Vietnamese Pho.
More on the subject
I studied traditional illustration and design at what was then called the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, CA and at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. I consider myself an illustrator by nature and a designer by discipline. I am at ease designing for both the web and print. I have been using Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Quark Xpress, Flash and all the rest for several years. I am a hard working professional. I consider myself to be an independent thinker, but can take direction extremely well. As a professional designer, I am very detail oriented. I love what I do, and look forward to that next great design challenge.
The many hats of Mark
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