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By MARY ANN MARGER
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 1, 2001
Book brings artist home
Hometown boy Mark Stock makes good, and the butler helped him do it. Dressed in black tie and white gloves, the butler -- actually, one of many self-portraits -- inspects the lipstick on a martini glass. He is in love. Too bad; the object of his affection is his employer, and unlikely to offer more than a fantasy of favors. The work is the cover illustration of Mark Stock: Paintings, written by Barnaby Conrad III and published by Metropolitan Books ($45). Stock graduated from Seminole High School, St. Petersburg Junior College and the University of South Florida. After graduation, he moved to Los Angeles and began a painting career that has brought him national attention. His realistic style can be categorized as romantic irony. Today his work is included in many collections, including the Museum of Modern Art, New York, and the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. He last exhibited in the bay area at USF in 1996. Now, though, we'll have to settle for the book, which is profusely illustrated with his works. He is in the bay area to sign copies today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the University of South Florida Contemporary Art Museum, Fowler Avenue entrance, Tampa; on Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. at Haslam's Bookstore, 2025 Central Ave., St. Petersburg; and on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, 11802 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa.