A Midwest native, Mahar's creativity developed from a childhood filled with library books and public television. Mahar is now an artist and designer who teaches imaginative do-it-yourself projects and is at the helm of a craft-driven collection for Knock Knock. His style is informed by an education in studio arts and art history, and 20+ years of work in creative fields, including 13 years as an appraiser of modern and contemporary art.