​Mark Doolittle

Joshua Tree, California

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Mark Doolittle has a doctorate in biology, and has been involved in biomedical research for over 25 years.  His research in the area of coronary artery disease culminated in the discovery of a novel gene contributing to triglyceride levels in the blood. Along with a research career, Dr. Doolittle has become increasingly involved in wood and gourd sculpture over the last several years, employing his unique vision of natural form that is distinctive to this artist alone.  His pieces reflect a creative diversity of form and function, and most feature fossils or minerals that are integrated into the overall design.  Each piece is conceived and executed by the artist alone, using gourds or exotic hardwoods and burls from around the world.  Although his style involves intricate carvings and texturing involving many hours of bench work, he never employs laser or CNC machinery; rather, each piece is crafted using rotary burrs and bits as wells as hand tools, such as rasps and chisels.  His work is in collections, and has been featured in magazines such as Fine Woodworking and Woodcarving.  Dr. Doolittle is now a full time artist, with a studio located in Joshua Tree, California.