Marty Plevel - Visual Artist, Rug Painter and Feng Shui Practitioner
Artist Statement:
I am continually captivated and energized by colors, shapes, reflections, changing light, shadows, objects and people. I like to paint what I love, or have a connection to, as well as what is special to others. The practice of really observing has lead me to be able to move what is in my head to a "hard copy", and sometimes I wonder how it got there!
My time as a docent at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, early in my Tucson days, gave me a real appreciation for and sensitivity to the Sonoran Desert and all that it contains.
After a four week trip in New Zealand on the back of a Harley with my husband in 2001 and attending The Art of the Motorcycle show at the Guggenheim in Las Vegas in 2002, my long standing fascination and interest in capturing the art in man's creations seemed to be validated. That was the beginning of my “Garage Series”. Growing up in Michigan probably had some early influence too. There is the design, shape, color and reflection of what’s around. There is also power and the representation of freedom and independence. The ingenuity, creativeness and use of brain power to develop engines wrapped with form and function is intriguing to me. I like hard shiny surfaces juxtaposed with the things in nature; maybe it's the yin and yang of it all. Capturing an essence while painting an artful representation gives me pleasure.
Other avenues that keep both sides of my brain happy are being a Feng Shui Practitioner and teacher of rug painting.
Bio:
I grew up in Michigan and have always had an interest and participated in the arts. My career training was in elementary education with a Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and my Mrs. the following day. Later, two children and then a Masters from the University of Arizona completed in 1985. My married life travels have included Michigan, Ohio, California and Arizona, where I’ve called Tucson home for four decades.
I was a pre-school teacher, public school teacher and a docent at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum before beginning my formal art training after retiring in 1999. My first formal instruction came from Tucson artists Nancy Bautzmann and Deanna Thibault, as well as drawing and painting classes at Pima Community College. I have studied with Andy Rush and Paul Mohr at The Drawing Studio, Harry Green at Toscana School and Gallery as well as with nationally known artists Ted Nudall, Frank Webb, Tom Lynch, Carl Purcell, Joseph Fettingis, Sterling Edwards and others in workshops sponsored by the Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild. I am a former board member of SAWG. I also enjoy teaching watercolor in the River of Words program at a Tucson elementary school.
Professional Memberships:
Signature Member of the Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild.
Southern Arizona Arts Guild.
Certified Feng Shui Practitioner.
Formal Education:
Bachelors - Michigan State University
Masters - University of Arizona
Numerous classes and workshops taught by both local and nationally known artists
I am continually captivated and energized by colors, shapes, reflections, changing light, shadows, objects and people. I like to paint what I love, or have a connection to, as well as what is special to others. The practice of really observing has lead me to be able to move what is in my head to a "hard copy", and sometimes I wonder how it got there!
My time as a docent at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, early in my Tucson days, gave me a real appreciation for and sensitivity to the Sonoran Desert and all that it contains.
After a four week trip in New Zealand on the back of a Harley with my husband in 2001 and attending The Art of the Motorcycle show at the Guggenheim in Las Vegas in 2002, my long standing fascination and interest in capturing the art in man's creations seemed to be validated. That was the beginning of my “Garage Series”. Growing up in Michigan probably had some early influence too. There is the design, shape, color and reflection of what’s around. There is also power and the representation of freedom and independence. The ingenuity, creativeness and use of brain power to develop engines wrapped with form and function is intriguing to me. I like hard shiny surfaces juxtaposed with the things in nature; maybe it's the yin and yang of it all. Capturing an essence while painting an artful representation gives me pleasure.
Other avenues that keep both sides of my brain happy are being a Feng Shui Practitioner and teacher of rug painting.
Bio:
I grew up in Michigan and have always had an interest and participated in the arts. My career training was in elementary education with a Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and my Mrs. the following day. Later, two children and then a Masters from the University of Arizona completed in 1985. My married life travels have included Michigan, Ohio, California and Arizona, where I’ve called Tucson home for four decades.
I was a pre-school teacher, public school teacher and a docent at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum before beginning my formal art training after retiring in 1999. My first formal instruction came from Tucson artists Nancy Bautzmann and Deanna Thibault, as well as drawing and painting classes at Pima Community College. I have studied with Andy Rush and Paul Mohr at The Drawing Studio, Harry Green at Toscana School and Gallery as well as with nationally known artists Ted Nudall, Frank Webb, Tom Lynch, Carl Purcell, Joseph Fettingis, Sterling Edwards and others in workshops sponsored by the Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild. I am a former board member of SAWG. I also enjoy teaching watercolor in the River of Words program at a Tucson elementary school.
Professional Memberships:
Signature Member of the Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild.
Southern Arizona Arts Guild.
Certified Feng Shui Practitioner.
Formal Education:
Bachelors - Michigan State University
Masters - University of Arizona
Numerous classes and workshops taught by both local and nationally known artists