Marilyn Church

"My art has straddled between two very different worlds for over four decades: fine art and courtroom art.

After years of observing and drawing in the tense atmosphere of the courtroom, I have realized that the whole truth is not easily knowable. Courtroom drawings rarely left time for nuances, but painting allowed for a powerful fusing of courtroom confrontations with the sometimes daring, intuitive and symbolic narratives that could artistically emerge. I needed to move from electrifying moments with Donald Trump, John Gotti, or Woody Allen to my more personal paintings of abstract figurations, and feel an intensity for both forms of art.

Painting is an exploration of the aspects of people that remain hidden, elusive, and mysterious. The figures are not specific; at times they are nearly abstractions. The backgrounds are ambiguous and fluid. I have liked playing with vibrantly colored shapes that change direction and pass beyond their boundaries in surprising ways. 

Residing by the ocean for so many years, I am inspired by the textures of the coast, seaweed, sand, sea glass, driftwood, and the myriad colors of skies at the beach.  All of this gets expressed in a variety of media: transparent layers of paint, opaque dried acrylic textures, fabric, and wood contrast with highlights of illuminating lines. These paintings have been the expression of my artistic life within this nature that I hope others can connect their own memories and experiences to."

Beach at Louse Point
Acrylic on canvas
38 x 46 in
Courtesy of the artist
$4,500
Purchase

Magic Beach
Acrylic on canvas
38 x 46 in
Courtesy of the artist
$4,500
Purchase

My Cats
Acrylic on canvas
48 x 48 in
Courtesy of the artist 
$4,500
SOLD

The Pool
Acrylic on canvas
50 x 48 in
Courtesy of the artist
$4,500
Purchase