Gail Marten
Artist Statement
As with my music, my artwork reflects balance, rhythm, and harmony.
I have had an interest in making art since I was a child. In my youth and beyond, my knowledge and skills were developed at various institutions in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, and I received a scholarship from the Moore Institute of Art in Philadelphia.
I moved to Columbia, Maryland in 1976, and soon thereafter discovered that I had a talent as a singer. Wow! Who saw that coming? My focus shifted away from visual art to music, and I embarked on a 30-year career as a jazz vocalist. I recorded several CDs, and I received several prestigious awards for my original lyrics and music.
When I began having vocal difficulties a few years ago, I began to experience a strong impulse to return to my first love, the creation of visual images. I set up a space to work, gathered up some art supplies and got busy. I especially enjoy creating graphite pencil portraits, seeking the humanity and spark of each of my subjects. I delight in the unpremeditated joy of creating abstract imagery, using the mediums of watercolor, alcohol ink, acrylic and pastels.
There are no boring subjects. You must find the magic in each. Every time.
About the Artist
GAIL MARTEN BIO Climbing the iconic steps where Sylvester Stallone would train for his role in the film Rocky, I attended classes at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and marveled at the incredible work of legendary artists. I benefited from additional painting and drawing classes at the Moore Institute of Art where I received a scholarship for additional studies. When I moved to Massachusetts in the early 70s, I had the opportunity to learn and develop my etching, collagraph printing, painting and life drawing skills at the Decordova Museum School in Lincoln and also enrolled in painting classes at Northeastern University in Boston. In the late 70s, I moved to Maryland. Shortly thereafter (and unexpectedly) my inner singer (who knew?) emerged from the closet, and I put away my brushes and paints in order to embark on an amazing career in music. I have had the pleasure of performing with world class musicians at many premier venues in the Mid-Atlantic region and abroad. When I began having vocal difficulties In 2017, I reluctantly decided to retire from singing (although I continue to write music and lyrics). I succumbed to an insistent creative urge to return to the visual arts and literally opened my closet to resurrect the art supplies languishing there—and began creating new works. I also operate a graphic design business and design websites and promotional materials for the arts & music industry, non-profits and business clients FINE ARTS EDUCATION DeCordova Museum School, Lincoln, MA Northeastern University, Boston, MA Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts, Long Beach Island, NJ Moore Institute of Art, Philadelphia, PA Philadelphia Museum School of Art, Philadelphia, PA EXHIBITION INVITATIONS (2022) • VisArts, Rockville, MD • Charles County Arts Alliance • Coalescence Showing, DC • Columbia Art Center • Maryland Art PlaceGail Marten website Gail Marten Art Gail Marten website Gail Marten Fine Art
Featured Work
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