The Dreaming Forge Manifesto
by Mark Groaning
I spent years on the road—setting up booths, shaking hands, sharing pieces of myself one show at a time.
That time shaped me.
But this one… this one is different.
These days, I’m doing a deeper dive.
Into the world. Into time. Into what it all means.
I’m reflecting on where I’ve been, and letting that reflection guide what comes next.
I’m no longer chasing output. I’m listening inward.
Not producing—but remembering.
Not planning—but painting, welding, shaping glass and steel.
The work has shifted.
Less literal. More intuitive.
Paintings that capture motion, intensity, stillness—sometimes all at once.
I’m softening my focus, letting the marks tell me what they need to say.
Each piece is an act of processing.
Each one a relic of a moment felt.
I call this space The Dreaming Forge.
But it’s not just a studio.
It’s a threshold.
A place where memory, fire, and form converge.
Where objects carry meaning—and sometimes, messages.
This is where sparks become artifacts.
Where what was nearly lost is held again.
If you’ve found your way here, you’re not just observing—you’re part of it now.
Thank you for walking this path with me.
—Mark
*The works you see here have long since found their forever homes. They remain as an echo of past creations, relics of works, favorites that I enjoy remembering. If you see something that gives you a tingle, follow that vibe. I’m always open to working on new projects.
