Art Forger: Mark Landis' Story

Mark Landis is an American painter who currently resides in Laurel, Mississippi.

Not only has Landis been recognized for many contributions to American museums, he is most known for his forged pieces.

However, he never actually committed a crime because he "donated" his forgeries, while using this tactic he managed to fool over 40 art museums.

Mark Landis and his artwork has been featured in the documentary titled Art and Craft.

Landis has donated to several places including the University of Southern Mississippi McCain Library and Lauren Rogers Museum in Laurel, MS.

McCain Library Curator, Ellen Ruffin says they had no sign he was donating or when.

"He would appear out of nowhere," she said, "We never knew when he was coming."

Despite his forgeries, Ruffin believes Landis was harmful.

"Mark was not a dangerous person, he was more of an injured soul," Ruffin said.

Many thought he craved the attention ---including Lauren Rogers Museum Registrar, Tommy Rogers.

"He was not comfortable in the public, but he craved being in the public," Rogers said.

"Mark Landis craves artistic expression and finds strength in the validation he receives from it," according to Landis' website MarkLandisOriginal.com.