Download Artist Statement

“Inspiration comes from a variety of places; nature, family photos, my inner journey and a passion for spontaneity. Vibrant color, abstract shapes and a desire to explore who I am as a painter keeps me on this quest to move the brush with exuberance and flair. This longing to find my true voice is what keeps nudging me forward in hopes of hearing its roar.

Born in Cambridge MA, moved as a young child to the MD area with her family. Went on to get her BS degree from the University of MD and her MA degree from American University in Washington DC.

When I was a teenager, my mother would invite several women and a wonderful French painter, Gustav Trois, to our house for art lessons. Gustav with his French Beret, blue painter’s shirt and a great sense of humor would tell stories and demonstrate his way of moving the paint and brush across the canvas. He made me feel like I too could be a painter. Years later and many conversations with my siblings revealed how they too were mesmerized with this person who showed up in our home to teach art.  My mother, with her love for art and her willingness to invite other artists into our home nudged all eight children into becoming artists; two musicians, three painters, two fine wood artists and a graphic artist/film maker.”

In 1997, after retiring from teaching Performing Arts, Dance and Choreography at both the High School and College levels, Marion had a longing to continue her journey with the arts.  She began taking watercolor lessons under the guidance of Martha Siegal for three years.  From there, she continued taking classes at the Frederick Community College where she studied under Irina Smulevitch, Peter Whitting, Cynthia Bausch and Dave Moreland. During these informative years, as she searched for what and who she was as an artist, exploring the world of drawing, watercolor, oil and acrylic, she came upon many artists who were quite giving and influential including Mark Brockman, Skip Lawrence, Stewart Cubley and Janet Schmeider. During the last couple of years, under Ed Ramsburg’s guidance she has fallen in love with abstract expressionism.