"I
have painted for more than 40 years, most recently in pastels, in addition
to watercolors. My subject
matter remains chiefly landscape, still life and abstracts.
"In my landscapes, I attempt to share with the viewer the intense pleasure and excitement I feel in nature, its changes of mood, light, shadow that are so expressive and fleeting. My tools for accomplishing this are strong composition, value and color.
"I enjoy abstract painting for the fun of creating a new reality, of visually 'letting the child out to play.'
"I was recently asked to describe my paintings. What can I say in words?
They are inadequate. Maybe that is part of why I paint...I lust after
red
poppies,
the ocean,
redrock
country,
and
madrona trees, which often remind me of human torsos. I am sometimes
so in love with a color that I want to eat it or put it behind my ears
like perfume.
"I want to possess, literally, the beauty that I see around me in nature. We are part of nature, not separate from it. We, too, are born, grow, and die after all, like the fallen leaves and decaying woods surrounding us. 'Not man apart,' the poet said. I paint in order to possess what cannot be possessed."
About the Artist
Marianna grew up in
Chicago, Illinois. In high school she often visited The Art Institute
of Chicago,
which
not only showed her the history and diversity of "art," but
also encouraged her to visually explore.
She has studied with several professionals, including Ed Maryon, LeConte Stewart, Colleen Howe and Jane Wallis. She has painted plein air on location in California, Utah, Montana and Washington, as well as in Italy and France.
The artist has exhibited in numerous
solo and juried exhibitions throughout Washington and Utah. Professional
memberships
include the Northwest Pastel
Society, Northwind Arts Alliance, Plein Air Washington Artists and
Kala Point Artists Guild. Marianna was a founding member of Gallery 9
in Port Townsend, Washington, where she today lives and paints.
Marianna teaches Introduction
to Pastel Painting
Port Townsend, WA (April 2008)
(240KB .pdf )
Marianna Sullivan
360.385.0762
 |
 |
Home | Artist | Online Gallery | Contact
© 2008 Marianna Sullivan
All rights reserved.
Website by Sandy Hershelman
Designs