Window To Home
Acrylic painting on canvas, 20- x 15- , $ 325
We have art throughout our house, our own and that of others, creating a gallery for contemplation and enjoyment.
Passion for Art
Running the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry was a high-stress job. I had to keep 350 employees busy with new exhibits, education programs, a submarine and Omnimax films. Staff managed and operated the restaurant and the gift shop. Fundraising, also the job of the president, included soliciting donors, lobbing for legislative money and writing grants. It was a fun but a very exhausting position, and I knew that I had to have an outlet to manage stress. I exercised and meditated but my mind was never clear of work-a day worry.
Fortunately, Martin, my former artist husband, came to the rescue and convinced me to take up painting. He made me an easel for Christmas and set me up with paints, saying, -Go to it.- At first I was shy about painting in front of him since he was a successful professional artist. I did not want to take lessons and have to -learn the right way to paint,- because, frankly, that sounded like too much work. Instead I was encouraged to just enjoy myself and not to worry about what anyone else thought, nor think about producing pieces worthy of sale.
So I brazenly followed his advice and painted following the techniques and styles of the masters, and I didn’t worry about being good. Often, I redid the original art I put on canvas, painting only for myself. My husband was wonderful, always complimentary, only offering advice when I asked for it.
Painting became an all-encompassing passion. It helped keep my blood pressure low and enthusiasm high. It is impossible to put a dab of paint or a line on a canvas and think about anything else. Try it. You’ll see what I mean. While painting, my mind is clear of daily concerns for I am totally absorbed in what I am doing.
I started this hobby 30 years ago and have been at it ever since. Slowly, without realizing, I improved. Instead of always following the masters I began developing my own style. People began asking if they could purchase my paintings and I submitted some to be shown at festivals, winning awards and selling here and there.
Art has helped me see the world more clearly. Walking through the city or a country lane is a new experience with every step. I look at plants and houses more deliberately than before, noticing colors, shapes, unusual flaws and quirky images. I study eyes, noses, smiles, and shadows and consider how to portray a 3-D world on a 2-D canvas.
When I met Ray, visits to art museums became part of our travel experience and we became more focused on our home’s interior decorations. At first, I put my paintings up everywhere I could find space. Ray’s masks and totem poles were also liberally sprinkled throughout the house. After we became more knowledgeable and critical we started looking at works by other artists, buying their paintings and bringing them into our home. Summer street fairs became a search for the most unusual appealing art by local artists. A swatch of color here and a mood changing image there has transformed our house into an eclectic gallery. It is fun to look at the pictures and sculptures, remembering the artists who produced them and the circumstances of the purchases. Friends enjoy visiting and studying the variety of works that enhance our walls, sharing their impressions with hours of comment afterwards.
From time to time my grandchildren asked to paint along side me during their visits. Sometimes we would go outside with chalk, selecting an interesting scene to draw. Other times they sloshed paint on paper, mixing colors and images that matched their own imaginations. Visits to art and craft museums gave our family an opportunity to talk about what we like or don’t like, what the artist was trying to portray and how styles have changed over the centuries. Very often their insights were more astute than my own.
Yes, art is now integrated into my life at every level. My studio is entrance to a woman-cave where time stands still. Painting has taught me patience, not to be too self-critical and to realize that practice certainly is necessary for improvement. It is wonderful to Raven and the Sun be retired and have opportunities to create art and to match visual by Ray Losey expressions with written words. Most of all, art has shown me that having a passionate hobby is fun and mind expanding. I recommend that you give it a try! You won’t be sorry.
Art work is always for sale at: For more information go to eichingerfineart.com or raylosey.com or contact me at marilynne@eichingerfineart.co.
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