Discovering the Soul through Creativity

The Art of Marilyn Woycenko

Waves of glorious color wash over the canvases of Marilyn Woycenko, effortlessly summoning seascapes and starscapes and wondrously expansive universes - glimpses of worlds of creation. Peering into different dimensions that just might hold the answers to age old questions, the viewer joins the artist on a journey of discovery - of self and the soul and the essence of creativity.

Marilyn, originally from Alberta, Canada, began her own artistic explorations at an age when many people are looking forward to retirement. But once she set her course, she was determined to follow it to the fullest.

"From childhood I had an inborn sense of placing things in visually pleasing ways, and once I realized that "Art" is a teachable subject I was determined to learn! I had a great desire to "make art" - what I needed was the "know-how". So I began at the beginning when I was 48 years old by enrolling in my first official art class at the local Community College in Glendale, Arizona, in 1990. From there I haven't looked back.

"Since moving to Hayden, Idaho in the summer of 1991, I have studied with private teachers, and continue to study through classes and workshops.

Ongoing education has been a key element in not only expanding her repertoire of techniques and mediums, but in learning about herself.

"When I found "Art", I found a part of myself, I then understood who I was. I began with Oil Painting and Charcoal Drawing, and have since ventured into Watercolor, Abstract Pigmented Inks, Calligraphy, and Handmade Cards. I have many artist friends who have shared their abundant knowledge with me, and for this I am extremely grateful!

As Marilyn's bio states, she believes creative outlet is essential in every individual and that art is a never-ending journey of spiritual expression, the passionate language of heart and soul.

"What I try to put into my art is a small part of myself, so others can see the beauty that I behold. I want a small part of the glory of creation to come from my heart, through my fingers and onto a paper, or canvas, or whatever surface is being used. We are all created to be creative, I believe, and we each must find our avenue of expression.

"There is a hunger in this world for things that are safe, and beautiful, and lovely to look at - things that take us, for some brief moments, away from the heartache and sorrows all around us. I believe art elevates our souls to higher planes and takes us on journeys we have not had before, either by making art, or by looking at art.

"My main medium now is watercolor, but I have added pigmented inks, and oil paints, acrylic paints, calligraphic inks. Each medium attends to a different expression of my heart. If I am feeling experimental and feel like painting "outside the box" I head for pigmented inks. If I am feeling a need for expression in a tightly controlled, and yet loose, fashion, I come to my calligraphy. Watercolor allows me to dabble in both sides of my brain!"

One of Marilyn's first art sales came through the watercolor group she belonged to in Idaho. She has since sold pieces through a local co-op gallery, at art fairs and art shows, and online, and her work is now in private collections in Canada, the US and England.

Citing the Old Masters as artistic influences, Marilyn also is drawn to the thoughtful and pensive work of modern painters such as William Whittaker, Steve Hanks, Stan Miller, Patsey Parsons.

Discovering Fine Art Registry®

Marilyn was introduced to Fine Art Registry® through the Gilmore Gallery in Hayden. (Owner and Abstract Expressionist painter Edward Gilmore is a dedicated FAR member with nearly 150 pieces tagged and registered.) Realizing the importance of tagging and registering her work when she first joined, Marilyn undid the matting and framing on her existing pieces to ensure they, too, were a part of her permanent portfolio. Now she tags new pieces as a matter of course, bringing her confidence in maintaining the copyright of her images. She advises others "to 'tag as you paint', so you are not undoing framing, glass, and mattings!"

As for the future, Marilyn will continue to learn and explore new worlds of creativity and expression. "Hopefully I will be making art until I am a grand, very old lady! I am currently entering Watercolor Society competitions, and I do hope to get a website going."

Visit Marilyn's FAR portfolio where you can immerse yourself in her spectacular and inspiring paintings, and purchase one for your own collection.

Artist's FAR Registered Pieces | Entire FAR Portfolio › | Sales Gallery › | Biography ›

— by Georgianna Lane  |  April 1, 2009  |  Print Version - PDF

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