Mark Sloniker grew up in rural Wisconsin, the son of a factory worker/wood craftsman and a substitute teacher. He spent most of his youth in the woods watching the animals and putting on operas among the trees.

In high school, he studied music and took a few art courses. He received an associate arts degree from Cornerstone College and a Bachelor of Music from Millikin University.

In 1997 Mark moved to Nashville. Through small steps and good friends, he started taking freelance jobs in commercial art while also working at a non-profit organization. He eventually quit the non-profit and took various jobs ranging from the decorative arts to graphic design.

In 2004, he was approached by his friends who make up the band Venus Hum to do the artwork for their next album, The Colors In The Wheel. This collaboration grew to encompass everything visual for them including CDs, posters, and even characters.

Currently, he is employed by Animax Designs as a workshop supervisor building puppets for major theme parks all over the world.