March 6th, 2021
We’re proud to be a women-owned and operated business, from our fabulous gallery owner to our lovely gallery ladies to the 13 women artists we represent. In honor of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, we would like to showcase and celebrate these incredibly talented, hard-working women who make Gallery MAR shine.
In their own words, hear their insights on the importance of the arts, the rewards of their industry, how they keep inspiration alive — and the women who inspire them.
Maren Mullin, Gallery MAR Owner
What is the most rewarding thing about your job/industry? Why?
At both my Park City and Carmel-by-the-Sea galleries, we have the honor of bringing beauty to people’s lives. One of the greatest joys in life is finding beauty in times of trouble and worry. That’s why it is incredibly gratifying now to connect our dear and valued collectors with artwork of lasting beauty and meaning―now, more than ever before.
Which women inspire you the most?
I am inspired by women who make their own rules and refuse to recognize limits. One such woman by whom I am continually inspired is Jane Fonda. She is in her 80s and still repeatedly seeks out and follows her passions; currently, she is an environmental warrior. She has reinvented herself multitudes of times, is a survivor of abuse and trauma, and still rises above. She makes up her own rules, and is infinitely entertaining through it all.
Eileen Treasure, Gallery Manager
What is the most rewarding thing about your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is introducing a collector to a piece of art that brings a golden ray of sunshine to their countenance. They beam with delight. They experience the painting, and it brings them joy. It’s a special, quiet moment of shared contemplation. I know they are going to feel happiness every time they see the piece.
Why do you feel the arts are important?
The arts are not technically necessary but they paint our everyday, gray world with colors, textures, and emotions — happy reflections on memories, future bright hopes, and more.
Victoria Slagel, Fine Art Consultant
Which women inspire you the most?
The woman that inspires me the most is my grandmother. She was so lovely and beautiful. She could always find something to laugh about and bring humor into the situation, no matter how hard times were. She had a heart of pure gold and I miss her everyday.
Why do you feel the arts are important?
The arts are important because they allow an individual to manifest their emotions into the physical. Good art will evoke a reactionary emotion in the viewer.
Nina Tichava, Mixed Media Artist
What’s the most rewarding thing about being an artist?
There are so many reasons why I love being an artist! But if I have to pick one, it’s the lifelong engagement with a career that always stays interesting. I have a seemingly endless supply of ideas and interests in the studio, and because of the amazing support system I’ve built, I have the space to explore that creativity daily. I’ve worked hard to get here, and I feel like the next 20 years will be incredibly fulfilling.
Which women inspire you the most?
I am forever inspired by my female peers. Some of my closest friends are artists, teachers, social workers, small business owners and moms, and most of them wear many hats on any given day. I’m astounded by the things they accomplish, especially those juggling families—I’m often asking my girlfriends “how did you do all that this week?!?” They’re amazing to me.
Pamela Murphy, Oil Painter
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being an artist?
Personally it’s very satisfying to be able to take an idea to the studio and create an image that visually communicates the thought. It is especially rewarding to make a connection with viewers who find beauty, enjoyment, and meaning in my paintings.
How do you keep inspiration alive?
I find inspiration everywhere, but especially when looking at (mostly) old photographs. They tell stories that generate an endless supply of ideas for me.
T.S. Harris, Oil Painter
Which women inspire you the most?
I’ve had pictures of Alice Neel, Joan Mitchell and Georgia O’Keeffe on my studio wall for 20 years. I should also include Louise Bourgeois. I admire them because they were badass artists in a male-dominated art field. Somehow they managed to fight stereotypes and hold on to their artistic vision – Bravo!
What advice would you offer to young, emerging artists?
I would recommend they take as many classes as they can to help them figure out what type of art or medium resonates with them, along with getting tons of practice. Learn to draw well and give yourself a chance to try various techniques. Expect some rejection but stay positive and believe in your own unique vision regardless.
Jane Maxwell, Mixed Media Artist
Which women inspire you the most?
I am most inspired by women who are outspoken about how they feel, honest about their real experience and direct about what they need and how to get those needs met. Everyone I know struggles with some sort of complicated interior life. I am most impacted by women who examine those complexities and aren’t afraid of sharing their vulnerabilities with others. I love a woman who owns her power.
What advice would you offer to young women (especially young women artists)?
I talk with a lot of young women artists. My advice is always to find your voice and own it! What are you trying to say? Whatever it is, say it with conviction. And, while fear and insecurity creeps into every endeavor – especially personal creativity that is being shared with the world — I say, embrace the fear and unleash it on the canvas. Finally, just keep working. You can not imagine how much you will grow and change over time. Art, like everything else, is a culmination of all of your past experiences and input.
Bridgette Meinhold, Encaustic Painter
Why do you feel the arts are important?
Art is certainly important in the grand scheme of things as a means of expression and record-keeping for society at large, but for me, art is an important aspect of my life and critical to being a human being. I’ve always been a creative person looking for outlets to express myself and when I am not making, creating, or dreaming, I feel claustrophobic and unsure of myself. I really do appreciate that other people find enjoyment in my work, but I largely create for myself.
What’s the most rewarding thing about being an artist?
I really just love working with my hands and turning visions into reality. It is incredibly satisfying to take an idea that blooms like a flower in your mind and work with it and mold it, using your hands and materials to create it in real life. The whole process for me is wonderful. Plus, being able to hold a tangible object in your hands at the end is incredibly fulfilling.
In addition, one of the best compliments that I receive is when people are out in nature and they experience a landscape that they say reminds them of one of my paintings. I love that people are able to experience nature in a new way that makes them appreciate the environment as a work of art, because nature truly is a work of art.
Alison Rash, Mixed Media Artist
Which women inspire you the most?
I have always loved the work of Monique van Genderen because it feels bold and risky. Having lived and worked in LA, I’m also inspired by LA painters like Iva Gueorguieva (who is a good friend), Monique Prieto and Allison Miller. In grad school, I had the opportunity to work with Katie Grinnan and Rachel Lachowicz who both make work that is very different from mine, but I learned so much by observing the way that they think. There are just so many great female artists that inspire me that it is hard to narrow it down.
Why do you think the arts are important?
The arts open up a world where words just aren’t enough. They allow us to feel and experience things that can catch us off-guard, disrupt the norm and mundane. When viewing a work of art, time temporary stops or at least slows. The viewer is drawn into the present — the moment — and, at the same time, can be transported to another time and place. There aren’t many things in the world that can do that.
As an artist, making art is a way of processing the world and experiences. It can be a visual manifestation of all the pain, love, joy, sorrow and struggle the artist has encountered; or it can also be a cerebral observation; or just a process. The arts open up limitless possibilities.
Laura Wait, Mixed Media Artist
Why do you think art is important?
Art is important as it lifts your spirits away from the mundane lives of everyday work. I believe art and creativity can and should be a part of all life and work. Art is not just decoration. If a viewer sees my art and is inspired or feels good, then I feel I am very successful.
How do you keep inspiration alive?
Inspiration comes to me fairly naturally. When I have a balanced life and do all the obviously right things like getting sleep, exercising, making art, and having some kind of social contact, then inspiration is alive. I have found that it is sometimes helpful to just stop and look around while doing other things, and then start again. After a few days or even a week of other activities, then inspiration can flow better with new ideas, as intuitive thinking goes on in the brain while you are not technically working on it.
Shawna Moore, Encaustic Painter
What advice would you offer to young women (especially young women artists)?
Realize that although most of art history is written by men about men‘s art we also have our champions! Find out more about Elaine DeKooning and her writing. Research women artists like O’Keeffe, Mitchell, Martin, Mehretu, and Sherald. Find your own group of artists friends for support and advice.
What’s the most rewarding thing about being an artist?
Even though women artists are under represented in the history books we are active and thriving. My greatest joy has been battling any bias as well as my own resistance to emerge at a place where my paintings are unique, personal, and meaningful. It wasn’t always easy but, besides being a mother, it is my proudest achievement.
Maura Allen, Mixed Media Artist
Which women inspire you the most?
I’m inspired by “blue sky” women — creative problem solvers. Women who listen more than they talk, who see things differently and quietly move forward to make change happen and open up new possibilities for all.
Why do you think the arts are important?
Art—in all its forms from visual, cinema, literature, song and even the culinary arts—it all nourishes the soul. Art transports us to new places, new ideas and creates connections to others that aren’t always apparent.
Jylian Gustlin, Mixed Media Artist
What’s the most rewarding thing about being an artist?
One of the most rewarding things about being an artist is spending the day immersed in creativity, using lines, shapes, colors, paper, paint, mixed media, and digital art. Really everything is Art. Running in nature you have the opportunity to see the greatest art of all in Nature. Every tree, river, mountain… it’s all sculpture in motion.
How do you keep inspiration alive?
I breathe it in. Maya Angelou said, “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” This is so true.
Mary Scrimgeour, Oil Painter
What’s the most rewarding thing about being an artist?
The most important thing to me about being an artist is this… everything I need to know, explore or discover about life I can do through the process of making art. Trust, belief, faith, fear, connection, discipline, practice… you need all of it. This was a huge realization for me and has proven to be very true!
How do you keep inspiration alive?
Through consistently being aware. Looking, seeing, feeling, listening. For me I have taken some time to build my story. I do this with writing daily in my journal as well as looking at a kind of inspiration board that I have collaged together out of old photos of my life: words, maps, drawings, etc. I have chosen them carefully, and they feel like they represent the strongest aspects of me. I feel this gives me the ability to keep referencing my authentic feelings — the ones that I want to express in my art from the deepest part of me.
Anke Schofield (KOLLABS), Mixed Media Artist
Why do you think the arts are important?
The Arts are so important to the world as the art that is created speaks to people individually and brings on a state of happiness.
How do you keep inspiration alive?
Music! All day long and loud, always pumping in the studio. It inspires me to work and travel — the further the better.
Sarah Winkler, Mixed Media Artist
What’s the most rewarding thing about being an artist?
The greatest reward is to have the time to observe, explore, interpret and make art that speaks to our common appreciation for the landscapes that we play in and strive to be good stewards of. Sharing experiences of nature through art with people that get it, is the best feeling in the world. I’m so grateful to my collectors and galleries for making it possible for me to continue on this path.
How do you keep inspiration alive?
I keep inspiration alive by following what captures my attention at that moment. What peaks my curiosity changes as time marches on and reflects where my footprints take me. I’ve tailored my life around art-making so it rarely gets dull or painful to find new inspiration for paintings. I spend time in landscapes that interest me geologically, spiritually, culturally and historically. There is much material to mine from these experiences outdoors. Also, studio painting as much as possible leads to new discoveries and directions in the work. Onwards and upwards, always.
Thank you for helping us celebrate and honor the talent and wisdom of our Gallery MAR women. Now we ask you, which women in your life inspire you? Celebrate them this International Women’s Day (and every day!).
Written by Veronica Vale
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