Artist’s Statement:
“My paintings convey vivid contrast and interplay of intense color, capturing dramatic light and shadow, which reflect my deep passion for art. It is through the multi-sensory experience of what I call “moments of profound beauty” in nature that inspires me most and drives me to want to share my unique expression of these experiences with others. I believe art reveals the essence of who we are and the way we live life and vivid contrasts make art as well as life more interesting.”
Artist's Bio:
Growing up in California with the influence of an artistic family, Marjie’s first academic studies majored in fine art. Her first career was as a graphic designer and Art Director for an International Corporation Headquarters in San Francisco, specializing in the design of speaker support presentations. Upon leaving the corporate environment she delved into the world of the healing arts while continuing her work in fine arts. Marjie is fascinated with the creative process and her studies lead her to develop “Your Creative Journey - Through the Art of Pastel” workshop series where she guides participants into unleashing their own creative expression while learning pastel painting techniques.
As a fine artist and designer throughout her adult life, Marjie has worked in many mediums. Painting with pastels has opened up a new dimension to her work. "I am intrigued with the flexibility and immediacy of pastels and love the soft effects I can get with them. I am a very tactile person and I like using my hands in direct contact with the medium and the surface." Pastel painting is her creative expression of choice as is inspiring others in their creative process.
Marjie has studied at the San Francisco Academy of Art, the Sahli School of Art, Denver Art Museum, Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Art Students League and Foothills Art Center.
Awards:
• First Place-Gold Award - International Assoc. Pastel Societies -2011 18th Juried Exhibition
• Honorable Mention – 2011 Paint America Top 100, 2011
• First Place – “15th Annual Artists of Colorado” Sponsored by The Colorado Artist’s Guild, 2010
• “Peoples Choice” Award Denver Plein Air Exhibition – Golden Triangle Museum District, 2010
• Paint The Parks Second 100 – “Canyon Breeze”, 2010
• First Place – Exploration of a Medium: Pastel Art – CAE, “Loch Ness Morning” 2010
• Paint America Top 100 Award – “Beside Still Water”, 2009
• Paint America Top 100 Award – “Their Return III”, 2008
• Paint America 2nd 100 Award – “Still Morning”, 2007
• Paint America 2nd 100 Award – “Still Afternoon”, 2007
• Honorable Mention Award “Value Judgments” Foothills Art Center, Golden (CO), 2005
Exhibitions:
• "Weekend In The West" - Evergreen Fine Art Gallery, Evergreen, CO - 2012
• "Summer Colors" - Framed Image, Denver CO - 2012
• "Salida ArtWalk: - Salida, CO - 2012
• "The Art of Place" - Lakewood Civic Center, Lakewood, CO - 2012
• "The Red Show" - The Framed Image, Denver, CO - 2012
• "Western Show" - The Framed Image, Denver, CO - 2012
• "21st Annual Holiday Miniature Show" - Abend Gallery, Denver CO - 2011
• "Miniature Masterpieces" - Evergreen Fine Art Gallery - 2011
• "Weekend In the West" - Evergreen Fine Art Gallery - 2011
• "A Horse Show" - Evergreen Fine Art Gallery - 2011
• International Association of Pastel Societies, 18th Juried Exhibition, NM, 2011
• 100 For 100 Center for the Arts Evergreen, 2011
• Miniature Masterpieces – Evergreen Fine Art Gallery, 2010
• Painting Demonstration and mini display for Holiday “Ladies Day” Evergreen Fine Art Gallery
• Featured Artist – Gallery Walk – May & July –Evergreen Fine Art Gallery
• Evergreen Colorado - SummerFest Art Show
• 100 For 100 Center for the Arts Evergreen, 2010
• Evergreen Art Association Members Show, 2010
• Art For Life – Project Angel Heart – Denver, 2010
• “Passion” Artist With Altitude annual show Center for the Arts Evergreen, 2009
• 100 for 100 Center for the Arts Evergreen, 2009
• Summer Art Market, Art Students League of Denver, June 13 - 14
• Shadow Mountain Gallery Featured artist August
• “Paint Sculpt Shoot 2008” Plein Air Event Center for the Arts Evergreen
• “Dreams, A Revealing Exhibition” Center for the Arts Evergreen (CO), 2008
• “Paint Sculpt Shoot Evergreen 2007” Plein Air Event, First Place Award, Center for the Arts
• “PSS Pre Show” Center for the Arts Evergreen, (CO), 2008
• “Wild Things” Artists With Altitude Sponsored by the Center for the Arts Evergreen, 2008
• “Exploration” A 21st Century Exhibit, Center for the Arts Evergreen
• 100 for 100 Center for the Arts Evergreen, 2008
• 100 for 100 Center for the Arts Evergreen, 2007
• Creekside Cellars Winery and Café Evergreen, featured artist for May
• Artist With Altitude, Painted Toe Society Joint Show, Center for the Arts Evergreen
• “A Burst of Color” Artist With Altitude sponsored by Center for the Arts Evergreen, (CO)
• “Paint Sculpt Shoot Evergreen 2006” Plein Air Event Center for the Arts Evergreen (CO)
• “100 for 100” Center for the Arts Evergreen, (CO), 2006
Presentations:
• Summer Painting Demonstrations - Evergreen Fine Art Gallery
• “Brown Bag” Panel co-discussion with Virginia Unseld – Center for the Arts Evergreen
• “Understanding the Art of Pastel” Presentation/Seminar – Evergreen Fine Art Gallery
• Painting Demonstration – Colorado Pastel Society, 2009
Publications:
• Painting selected for program cover for Evergreen Arts Summer Fest –“First Morning” 2009
• Painting selected for 2008 Calendar, Center for the Arts Evergreen, (CO)
• Paint America Top 100 Books; 2007,2008, 2009, 2011
• Manitoba University Quebec, image chosen for program 2010 performing arts event
• Numerous news articles and announcements in Serenity Magazine, Canyon Courier Newspaper of Evergreen and the Denver Hub.
Memberships:
American Impressionist Society
Plein Air Artists Colorado
Colorado Pastel Society
Denver Art Students League
Foothills Art Center – Golden CO
Center for the Arts Evergreen
Marjie enjoys painting in her studio at home in Evergreen in the mountains of Colorado overlooking a small lake which has been the inspiration for many of her water paintings. She shares her busy life with her husband Doug (who is a Chiropractor, practicing in his home office downstairs) and their Golden retriever and 2 cats.
