Marvin Qualls was born in the Panama Canal Zone on June 29, 1974. He spent his formative years traveling throughout the country and around the world as part of a military family. He credits this experience with expanding his horizons and introducing him to the different environments and individuals that continue to inspire his artwork. At age 7 he began creating rudimentary sketches of the fascinating people and events he experienced. This trend continued, bolstered by several collaborative efforts with street vendors and graffiti artists throughout his teen years. At age 18 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as a Visual Information Production/ Documentation Specialist where he began to work professionally creating caricatures and commissioned portraits. After separating from the service in 2000, Qualls relocated to Atlanta, GA where he was embraced by a growing artistic community. He has had several group and solo exhibitions at various venues throughout the city.
Qualls sketches either from memory and imagination or from photographs utilizing figure models of all shapes, sizes and colors. Diversity is the cornerstone and continuing theme in most of his work. Creating his images primarily in graphite and charcoal, there is a gritty realism in his work; yet it contains a serene beauty and distinctive risque style which he is proud to call his own.
He currently resides in Milwaukee, WI where the culture and diversity is as rich and full as one could imagine. Qualls continues to create his unique brand of art while collaborating with other artists and branching off into uncharted territories. A self-described maverick, he’s determined to push the limits of creativity and open doors for urban art across the country and the world.