GAIL MARTEN
As with my music, my artwork reflects balance, rhythm and harmony. There are no boring subjects. You must find the magic in each.
Climbing the iconic steps where Sylvester Stallone would later train for his role in the film Rocky, I attended classes at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, marveling at the phenomenal work of legendary artists displayed in the galleries. I attended painting and drawing classes at the Moore Institute of Art where I received a scholarship for additional studies.
In Massachusetts, I studied painting, etching and collagraph techniques with some wonderful teachers at the Decordova Museum and Northeastern University.
When I moved to Columbia, Maryland, I—unexpectedly—discovered that I had a talent as a singer. Wow! Who saw that coming? My focus shifted away from visual art to music, I put away my brushes and paints and embarked on a 30-year amazing career in music. I have recorded and performed with world-class musicians at premier venues in the Mid-Atlantic region and abroad. Several of my CDs received prestigious awards. www.gailmarten.com
At the same time, I began Jazz Palette, designing websites and promotional materials for business, music industry and nonprofits clients. www.jazzpalette.com
When vocal difficulties necessitated my retirement as a performer, my inner light dimmed. At the same time, 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 portraits, seeking the humanity and spark of each of my subjects and establishing an intimate bond with their essence. I also delight in the unpremeditated joy and freedom of creating abstract imagery, using the mediums of watercolor, ink, acrylic and pastels. Intuition and inspiration emerge, and the finished art rarely bears any resemblance to my original concept.
I am currently completing a book of fiction to be published in 2025.
EDUCATION
Philadelphia Art Museum (watercolors and oils)
Moore Institute of Art, Phila. (various media)
Long Beach Island Foundation, NJ (painting, sculpture, pottery)
Bucks County College (art history and painting in various media)
DeCordova Art Institute, MA (life drawing, painting, printmaking)
Northeastern University, MA (painting)
RECENT EXHIBITS
Gallerium International – Fire group exhibition
Artistonish Magazine – Issue #45
Exhiizone – Existence group exhbition
Gallerium International – People
Exhiizone – Passage of Life, Aging group exhbition
Artistonish Magazine – Portrait
Diversia — AntiWAR
Exhiizone — Emptiness – group exhbition
ArtAscent Art & Literary Journal — Distinguished Artist
Gallerium International – Lights, Shadows, Reflections group exhibition
ArtAscent Art & Literary Magazine, Canada
Maryland Art Place, MD
Columbia Art Center, MD
Coalesence, MD
VisArts, DC
Charles County Art, MD
PAST EXHIBITS
Bucks County, PA
Long Beach Island Foundation, NJ
Boston Museum of Art, MA
Bernice Kish Gallery, MD
Visual Artists Alliance, MD
Columbia Mall, MD
Gail Marten Fine Art Prints available locally at:
Delaplaine Arts Center, Frederick MD
Elizabeth Jacobs Spa & Salon, Parkville, MD
as well as galleries, museums and art institutions from over 120 countries