About the Artist

J. Mack Dent lives in Ponte Vedra Beach on the northeast Florida coast, a community known for encouraging the arts. In the spring of 2001 he entered his drawings in an art exhibit, the first time any of his work had been shown publicly. The visitors to the exhibit found Mack’s art beautiful and intriguing, referring to his 24 X 31 original drawings as detailed pencil paintings. Two local newspapers picked up the story and featured him as a “historical revisionist” with a story to tell. His drawings of American military leaders with his own books about each character emerge to weave the visual experience into a compelling account of war and politics from the first guns to the final surrender.

Mack’s art works because he “knows” his subjects by the time he sharpens the pencil or dulls the point. He spends hours in research at libraries selecting each character for their contribution to the event. He takes notes that become the text for the books he writes. Mack is always looking for pictures of buildings and scenes to create just the right background. He uses software on his computer in scanning, printing , sizing and restoring the images he has collected. The drawing begins when the model tells the story behind the art.

Mack’s home studio on the northeast Florida coastline provides inspiration for his art. His drawing table is next to a large window which he opens to the sounds and mixed aromas of the not too distant roar of the ocean and the surrounding piney woods.