Artist’s Statement
Hidden Treasures Series — “I create multi-layered surfaces on canvas to showcase the interactions between colors and textures. Metallic accents complement imagery, words, and bits of found objects. The figurative images are my own; other motifs are culled from my collection of antique books.
“I evaluate each dab of paint, scrap of paper, and fragment of ephemera for its color, texture, and symbolic meaning. I use these details impressionistically to form my compositions.
“A special tribute: Embedded in each artwork are bits of handmade glass inherited from my uncle who collected them in Europe a lifetime ago. The tiny cabochons are inspiring works of art themselves, which I include as homage to past generations.”
A Lifetime Love of Art
Biography —
Marjorie Sarnat is an award winning mixed-media artist whose works are in collections worldwide. Born and raised in Chicago, she is an alumna of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and earned a BFA degree from Eastern Michigan University. She also studied with noted painter Joe Abbrescia for whom she taught art in his acclaimed Chicago art school.
Her artwork synthesizes her love for painting from life and her passion for color, texture, and patterns. Her Hidden Treasures series comprise antique glass and found treasure embedded within mixed media layers of metallic and painted texture. Messages, hidden imagery, and paintings within paintings are there for the viewer to discover. Marjorie’s Kleo Kats incorporate a profusion of patterns, textures, and rich colors.
As the best-selling author and illustrator of the adult coloring books, "Creative Cats” and "Owls”, she has earned a legion of fans worldwide. The books have been translated into 18 languages and have sold over 2 million copies. Her imaginative coloring book style is influenced by her love of patterns and her lifelong passion for collecting vintage illustrated books and ephemera. She has illustrated an additional 10 adult coloring books that are unique in their nostalgic and whimsical style.
Marjorie has authored 5 books on art techniques and the creative process itself. Her book, “Creative Genius: How to Grow the Seeds of Creativity Within Every Child has earned accolades from experts in the field.
Marjorie lives in Southern California with her designer husband, artist daughter, creative son, and two golden retrievers.
EXHIBITS AND AWARDS
June 2014 – December 2014
One-Woman show
Judith Kaufman Gallery
In the Historic El Portal Theatre
North Hollywood
June 2013
A Frozen Fire
StudioFive08 Gallery
April 2013 – August 2013
Encino Terrace Center Exhibition juried show
Women Painters West
February 2013
Open Juried show
Thousand Oaks Art Association
Thousand Oaks Community Gallery
Award: 2nd Place
“Out of the Blue”
December 2012
Into the Blue juried show
Women Painters West
Arena 1 Gallery
Award: 1st Place
“Crowdsourcing”
December 2012
"Ripped" juried show
Collage Artists of America
Art Directors Guild Gallery 800
November 2012
Small Works juried show
California Art League
Modest Fly Gallery
November 2012
Members show
Thousand Oaks Art Association
Thousand Oaks Community Gallery
July 2012
Yin Yang Summer show
Arts Council of the Conejo Valley
Works of 12 invited artists
February 2012
Open juried show
Thousand Oaks Art Association
Thousand Oaks Community Gallery
January 2012
Thousand Oaks Art Association
Members’ Exhibit
Thousand Oaks Community Gallery
September 2010
Spotlight juried show
VIVA Gallery
Works of 2010 Salon Artists
June 2010
Women Painters West at VIVA juried show
VIVA Gallery
November 2009
Red juried show
VIVA Gallery
Women Painters West
Reconstruction juried show
VIVA Gallery
Works of 4 member groups:
Collage Artists of America
Women Painters West
Valley Artists Guild
SFV Art Club
Award: 3rd Place
“Golden Ebony”
May 2010
Snippets juried show
VIVA Gallery
Collage Artists of America
October 2009
Hidden Treasures
One Woman Show
Orlando Gallery
August 2009 – January 2010
Encino Terrace Center Exhibition juried show
Women Painters West
July 2009
10th Anniversary All Group Exhibition
VIVA Gallery
Award: Honorable Mention
“Retroclassics”
June 2009
SoHo Urban Artist's National Painting Competition
Award: Honorable Mention
“Kings and Queens”
E-Collage-Ical juried show
Collage Artists of America
Award: 4th Place
“Ancient Secrets”
March 2009
Altogether: Collage and Assemblage juried show
Santa Cruz Art League
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Women Painters West
Juried Membership
Southern California
Collage Artists of America
Member of the Board of Directors (past)
Sherman Oaks, California
California Art League
Member
Past Newsletter Columnist,
Art Studio Secrets
Sherman Oaks, California
Thousand Oaks Art Association
Thousand Oaks, California
LAEA
Los Angeles Experimental Artists, Group 2
Canoga Park, California
GALLERIES
Judith Kaufman Gallery
In the Historic El Portal Theatre
North Hollywood, California
StudioFive08
Santa Monica, California
Artists’ Enclave (past exhibitor)
Woodland Hills, California
Orlando Gallery (past exhibitor)
Tarzana, California
The Salon (past exhibitor)
Sherman Oaks, California