Marc was born into a world filled with art, the son of acclaimed painter; Roman Chatov. His interest in art was formed at a very early age. Marc has always been fascinated with design and color. For Marc, a box of crayons (the big box) was a magical experience. At a very early age, Marc "impressed" his father by covering the entire house in crayon murals. Later, he was enthralled as he watched Roman paint and was often a model for his paintings. Despite being on one side of the easel or the other, Marc didn't begin to seriously consider making a career of art until he was 18. As a fine art major at Georgia State University, Marc studied drawing under the late James Sitton, who was acclaimed for his drawing and anatomy instruction. He also studied at the Art Students League in New York under Michael Burban and briefly with Nelson Shanks. From there he began a serious apprenticeship with his father and uncle and started taking on portrait commissions. Some time later, Marc studied with well-known landscape artist Albert Handell and formed a lasting friendship. Studying with Albert, he discovered a love for painting landscapes. Marc speaks of his inspiration from the works of great masters such as John Singer Sargent, Joaquin Sorolla and Diego Valasquez.

Impressed with his work, Portrait South immediately signed Marc and has represented him since 1987. He has painted many notable portraits throughout the US and Mexico. Money Magazine featured him as one of the top eight portrait artists in the country. "In my portraiture, it has to be a good painting, not just a likeness." Marc has received the Governor's Artist of Excellence Award and his works can be found in museums and galleries around the country as well many private and corporate collections.

 

Throughout his career, Marc has been an instructor. He started teaching as an assistant to Roman and Constantin and gradually took over the classes in 1984. Still devoted to his students, Marc regularly conducts classes and workshops. Marc states that his first love is color and would consider himself more of a colorist than a tonalist. He believes in a strong knowledge of drawing and anatomy and practices them diligently. Marc begins his work by drawing with paint. He prefers to paint alla prima because it keeps a spontaneous approach to his subject. Nonetheless, his finished works carry great detail. Working from darks to lights, he develops texture and color using a weaving technique of brushstrokes and utilizes texture to enhance the feeling of light striking the subject. "Color is paramount to me as I develop the painting as a whole."

"To me, painting hooks me into a greater source and connects me to the creative force. I've always felt it's like dancing on the eye lashes of God." And with love and admiration in his eyes Marc quotes his father; like Roman always said, "in art, first one becomes a master, then an artist, and finally, a student."