Artist Statement and Biography
My paintings are a dance in color, a moving meditation in the landscape. I combine observation—mirroring the outer appearance of the natural world—with improvisation—giving voice to the inner forces, the felt spirit and color of place. Watching, listening, hiking, trusting intuition and gesture, infuse my painterly representation with an energetic and abstract sensibility. Doors open to the inner landscape.
My collages express invented landscapes from the dreamworld, with a recurring cast of characters and symbols, held together by repetition of color, shape and story. They are like poetry in their possibilities of multiple readings and metaphor.
I often say my studio is wherever I set up my plein air easel or sit on a rock with a sketchbook. Poems interweave with drawings in my sketchbooks, describing, exploring, discovering connections among the themes of my life and creative practice, love and death, war and peace, nature and spirit . . . and the simple joys that a dog brings!
I host visits to my actual Santa Rosa studio the first two weekends of each June during Art at the Source, the last two weekends of October during Sonoma County Art Trails Open Studios, and by appointment year-round.
I live in Northern California and was on the art faculty at Santa Rosa Junior College for many years. I've also taught at Sonoma State University, Penn State University, Penn State Medical School, California Arts Project, Pepperwood Preserve, Elderhostel, Mendocino Art Center, and was Artist in Residence in several schools from kindergarten through high school. As Director of the Art Squad, I brought exhibits and artists on a converted school bus to schools all over Sonoma County, CA.
I’ve led diverse workshops and retreats in California, Oregon, New Mexico, Mexico, France, Pennsylvania, New York, with a specialty of drawing and painting in nature. One of my great pleasures has always been to support people in finding their light, their own voice as artists.
I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Art from Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York, and Master's in Sculpture from San Francisco State University. I value lifelong learning from master artists and joyful collaborations and performances with scientists, dancers, poets, snd musicians.
My art has been exhibited regionally and internationally, and is in numerous private, corporate, and healthcare collections. The collages and writings have been published in books and journals of art, poetry and dreams. I occasionally give poetry readings, art talks and lectures.
On this website, in addition to original paintings, you can find limited edition prints on paper or canvas in many sizes. I invite you to be in touch and envision together a painting project or installation for a special space, either personal or business, or a creative workshop with a group or private!
Marsha Connell & Gen Barnhart - Open Studio Conversation
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