Gail Marten

About the Artist

GAIL MARTEN BIO Gail Marten climbed the iconic steps, where Sylvester Stallone would later train for his role in the film Rocky, to study at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Between classes, she visited the famous galleries, inspired by the phenomenal work of legendary artists displayed. She also took courses at the Moore Institute of Art and received a scholarship for additional art studies. In Massachusetts, ten years later, she learned painting, etching, and collagraph techniques at the Decordova Museum and Northeastern University. When she moved to Columbia, Maryland in the late '70s, her life took a few unexpected turns, and it was discovered that Marten had significant talent as a singer. (Wow! Who saw that coming?) Her focus shifted from visual art to making music and she embarked on a 30-year-long extraordinary career in music. Gail Marten has had the privilege of recording and performing with world-class musicians at premier venues in the Mid-Atlantic region and abroad. She also writes music and lyrics, and several of her CDs have received prestigious awards.  Her music is receiving international radio play in Poland, Japan, Mauritius, Canada, Slovenia, The Netherlands, UK, Sweden, South Africa, Mexico, Ukraine, Greece, Bahrain, New Zealand, Cambodia, Thailand, Guatemala, Hawaii, Australia, Indonesia, Germany, Israel, France, Thailand, Spain, Indonesia, India, Taiwan, Vietnam, South Korea, Ukraine, Belgium, Georgia, Chile, Romania, Bosnia, The Philippines, Switzerland, Malaysia, Ecuador, Turkey, Herzegovina, USA. and beyond. Jazz Palette, her graphic art business, creates digital and print promotional materials and web design for businesses, the music industry, and nonprofit organizations. When vocal difficulties necessitated Marten's retirement as a performer, she returned to her first love, the creation of visual images. She enjoys creating portraits, seeking the humanity and spark of each subject, establishing an intimate bond with their essence. She also enjoys the freedom of creating abstract imagery, where intuition and inspiration emerge. Ten years ago, Marten discovered yet another outlet for her creative impulses and began writing short stories. She says that, at this stage of her life, she prefers this solitary endeavor.   FINE ARTS EDUCATION  DeCordova Museum School, MA Northeastern University, Boston, MA Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts, NJ Moore Institute of Art, PA Philadelphia Museum School of Art ART NEWS Art galleries and art magazines: Exhibizone – Abstract – international online group exhibition Gallerium International – Fire – group exhibition Artistonish Magazine – Issue #45 Exhibizone – Existence – group exhibition Gallerium International – People Exhibizone – Passage of Life, Aging group exhibition Artistonish Magazine – Portrait Diversia – AntiWAR – group exhibition Exhibizone – Emptiness – group exhibition Art Ascent Art & Literary Journal – Distinguished Artist Gallerium International — Lights, Shadows, Reflections – group exhibition ArtAscent Art & Literary Magazine, Canada  Maryland Art Place – group exhibition Columbia Art Center – group exhibition Coalescence – group exhibition VisArts, DC – group exhibition  Charles County Art – group exhibition

Artist's Statement

THE PLAYERS: A Tale of Deception and Desire GAIL MARTEN What starts as a colorful reflection on the sisters’ wild and winding pasts turns into a full-blown mystery. The book blends memoir-like storytelling with satirical humor, some noir-ish vibes, and a full cast of shady, lovable, and totally bizarre neighbors. Right off the bat, I was hooked by the strangeness of Bella and Lena’s origin story. That’s not something you hear every day, and it sets the tone for a novel that’s unapologetically offbeat. Bella’s voice is loud, brash, and often hilarious. Lena, on the other hand, is spiritual, and mysterious. I liked the contrast between them, it gave the book some emotional weight underneath all the sparkle and chaos. Gail Marten has written the side characters like they’re straight out of a dark sitcom. These characters are exaggerated, sure, but also weirdly real in how petty, insecure, or just plain ridiculous they are. The birthday party gone wrong is where things take a sharp left turn. What was fun and flirty becomes chaotic, even grotesque. If you like stories with a campy edge, dramatic women, ghostly encounters, and unexpected mayhem, give this one a shot. It's a little bit Desperate Housewives, a little bit Murder She Wrote, and a whole lot of “Wait, what did I just read? Paperback and Kindle. Audio book is being produced. Available at www.gailmarten.com or purchase from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and bookstores worldwide.