The path to artist-hood has not been straightforward for Mark Grieves. As a student, he harboured artistic ambitions, but this was sidelined after a conflict with his art teacher. After rejection from Art College, his path forked towards photography. He learned many skills that he has been able to transfer over from photography to art. He believes that having an eye for a photo is the same as imagining filling a blank canvas in composition terms. He continued painting and finally taking the plunge to become a full-time artist.
 
Mark Grieves believes that inspiration is everywhere, and he is especially attracted to interesting shapes and shadows, light and contrast”. At the same time, he is a huge fan of comic book artists and the way they create huge fantasy cities and structures that consume the comic book pages. The ability to remember dreams which go as far back as his childhood also plays a big influence in his art.