Croatia is my journey, my state of mind, and I encourage others to make their own journey, to leave a trace, tell a story, as I have finally told mine. 

                                                                                   - Mario Novak

I have been traveling for 20 years, and some journey it has been!  From Asia to the Americas, throughout Europe, the Caribbean & I have met many wonderful people, who inevitably would ask, "Where are you from?"  And whenever I responded, "Croatia," it was simply difficult for them to place.  Inquisitive minds would persist, "Where is it?  How does it look?  What kinds of people live there?"  I had no images to show them, no book to suggest.  For 20 years it was my heart's desire to create something beautiful that, instead of words, I could just place in their hands and proudly say, "I am from here.  Please, take a look!" "Croatia" is not a collection of images, it is the experience of Croatia in one long breath, one uninterrupted journey, from Ilok to Savudrijia to Dubrovnik: breathing, living, meeting the people of Croatia, seeing the land through their eyes, their soul.  The journey was, for me, a pilgrimage through the country of my roots, the country that was, and always will be my home.  I believe that there are many Croatians throughout the world who feel the same.  They will find themselves here, in the pages of this book, where it is possible, even from afar, to immerse oneself in the extraordinary land of our origins.   A traveler, as well, will enjoy this journey, will revisit many cherished places - and even discover Croatia anew. I have many beliefs, and I will mention but two that are core beliefs, for they can be experienced in Croatia.  Firstly, I believe that artistic creation, Art, is a reflection of the artist's state of mind.  Second, and even more important, I believe that each one of us has the creative capacity to leave a trace, something that will remain, for our children, and for their children, to show them something of our existence, something that may bring inspiration and beauty to their lives.  A legacy of beauty, that one hopes will remain. Croatia is my journey, my state of mind, and I encourage others to make their own journey, to leave a trace, tell a story, as I have finally told mine.                                                                                     Mario Novak

Mario Novak was born in Ludbreg, Croatia, and emigrated to the United States in 1986.  His interest in photography began in childhood when his father lent him his first camera, an  Altix with Zeiss lenses. A continuing devotion to martial arts and a deep love of nature is evidenced in both the meditative stillness and the dynamism of his images. Early in his exploration of photography he was mentored through postal correspondence by an experienced, but anonymous photographer who lived in nearby (former) Czechoslovakia. In his native Croatia he helped to establish the first photo club at the Electrical Engineering (ETF) University in Zagreb.  As a mature artist with a profound belief in apprenticeship, he carries on the mentorship tradition through regular community with aspiring photographers throughout the world. An exquisite sense of light and composition is a reflection of his lifelong interest in fine art painting. This inspiration has developed into a mastery of fine art printing, and Novak is equally well-known for his fine art prints, often reproducing the work of modern painters and photographers for gallery and for permanent exhibition. An avid surfer, he lives in Atlantic Beach, New York.

www.marionovak.com

"Croatia", is 340 pages, full color, 11"x14" and cloth bound by hand, with superb printing in Italy by ArtGrafiche Amilcare Pizzi. Each book comes in an individual box. The poetic, in-depth, and informative text is by Damir Konestra. The first edition is available in Croatian and in English language. We offer a special price for the purchase of a set in both languages. If you would like to purchase a quantity of books as a company Christmas present, please place your order early. Quantity discounts will apply.Quantities are limited, so please order your copy in time for Christmas. Contact: orders@artcroatia.com | 718 278-8842 | www.artcroatia.com ArtCroatia, P.O.Box 269, Atlantic Beach, NY 11509, USA Here are some tech details about book   trim size: 11"x14" ( 28x35.5 cm) weight:  7.5 lbs ( 3.4 kg) number of pages: 340 paper Satin-Matt Garmont 150 gms cover: linen cloth with gold foil stamp jacket: matt laminated with glossy spot varnish of title binding: smith sewn each book comes in individual box   Museum quality, printed in Milano by Arti Grafiche Amilcare Pizzi, printer of books by: Ansel Adams, Richard Avadon, Diane Arbus, Annie Liebowitz,. Robert Mapplethorpe, Ralph Lauren and others.