Mariusz was born in Lublin, Poland, in 1973. From 1989-1994 he studied fine art at the Artistic Lyceum in Lublin, then from 1995-2000 at the Academy Of Arts in Wroclaw, earning his diploma under professor Jospeh Halas in 2000. Mariusz's work has been exhibited extensively in Poland. While he loves traditional painting methods, he began experimenting with computer assisted artwork in 2006. His enthusiasm for military history began as a boy but blossomed with his career and to this day helps him to create some truly gorgeous and original artwork. Mariusz has provided the cover artwork for the first six books in the new Raid series, all of which can be seen at www.ospreyraid.com


1.         What are you doing at the moment?

I\'m working as a freelancer and also as a 2D graphic designer in The Lordz Games Studio. Beside this I\'m dealing with modern art and planning the next exhibition.

2.         When did you get hooked on history and why?

IFrom the day I was born, I became a part of history. We all create it.

3          If you were any warrior from history who would you be?

I would be Hitler in II World War. I would shoot myself from “Dicke Bertha” - it would have saved many lives!

4.         What is your favourite war film?

Stalingrad, Talvisota, and the first 30 minutes of Gladiator.

5.         Why do you think Military History is important?

It\'s important and needed as it concerns us. Our ancestors experienced it and our offspring will experience it. We need to learn, not to make the same mistakes again.

6.         What is your favourite quote from history/historical quote?

Let my armies be the rocks and the trees and the birds in the sky… - Alexander the Great

7.         If you could fly any plane or drive any tank from history, which would it be?

Spitfire! I would like to fly in No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron.

8.         Best military cock-up in history?

I don\'t know, there were many. Maybe Gallipoli, maybe the Spanish Armada :D

9.         Who is your military hero?

Real heroes are little-known as those are people who have avoided battles and won.

Seriously, this is a real European hero - cavalry captain Witold Pilecki. It\'s an James Bond from old times.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witold_Pilecki

 10.        If you could pit two armies from history against each other, which two would you pick, and why?

Aborigines and Eskimos as I know they have never fought with each other. 

11.        Elephants or horses? Discuss the pros and cons…

Both horses and elephants are good. It depends who\'s the enemy and where the battle is.

 12.        Favourite Michael Caine quote?

"When you reach the top, that's when the climb begins."
"There's quite a lot of bad stuff written about me. My wife even says a lot of bad stuff about me. But she is wonderful."

13.        What is your favourite war comic?

The only comic that I read is the "Thorgal" series by Grzegorz Rosinski, and Jean van Hamme.


14.        Spartan or Roman?

Spartan, my nickname is Lacedemon.

15.        What is your favourite Osprey book?

Any of the new Raid books which have my artwork on the cover!