THE OAKLAND
ART ASSOCIATION

About Marie 

 

Marie started painting at age 9, in Oils and Watercolor.

She graduated from San Jose State University in Fine Arts.

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Acrylics, Watercolor and Oils were all part of her training. Now she works with Pastels, Watercolor and Acrylic, Mixed Media, Pen and Ink.

 

She is not a textbook painter but influenced by early training in Abstract Expressionism. Marie attempts to bring emotion and feeling into her work. The study of light (Impressionism) plays a strong part in work as well. A background in technical illustration is ever present, in the use of Pen and Ink, and limited color and palette. And then she discovered Pastels!

 

Marie claims pastels are the most forgiving of mediums, with wonderful color and flexibility!

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At some point the artwork takes over and becomes its own entity. Learning to let it go its own way is a considerable challenge for her. “At some point I may not have achieved what I set out to do, and accepting those happy accidents is the great challenge!” 

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Marie has always worked in series, often painting the same subject 5 or 6 times and in several mediums. The  subject matter is always evolving. According to Marie, "The doing or the painting is what's important. The finished product is secondary. Not being attached to my work is the main factor!”

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Marie has exhibited with several groups locally. Her work is collected both Nationally and Internationally. She's a member of Oakland Art Association and Pastel Society of the West Coast. Marie can be seen painting Plein Air with both the East Bay Plein Air Painters and El Cerrito Plein Air Painters on a regular basis.