ARTIST STATEMENT BY MARJORIE NILSSEN
My paintings are
based on my long time interest in color, texture and unity.
While I am
visually intrigued by nature; rocks, algae, moss, etc., my paintings are not
representations or
‘pictures’ of nature.
I am constantly
amazed at what happens in my studio when I let go of ideas and allow the
various processes
of painting; melting wax, mixing
paint, scraping, etc., to develop into a work.
It is the mystery
of this process that intrigues and inspires me.
Studying under the
direction of Larry and Paula Poons at The Art Students League of New York
(September
15-October 1, 2012) enhanced my artistic skills by reinforcing the significance
of
color development
and the concept of losing yourself in order to make a good painting.
I can still hear
Poon’s saying “stop trying to make a painting!!”
Although I was
aware of this concept prior to my time at the Art League this idea becomes
more clear to me
as I continue to work in my studio in Atwater, Minnesota.
Below is a quote
from Larry Poons that I really like:
“Ultimately, the
issue with art is art. And you
really shouldn’t worry about:
‘well….if I do this,
it’s not me.’ It’s always you. That’s the important part of art: that this thing comes through if
you let it. The essential part of what you, the
artist is, comes through if you don’t try to be so
overly protective
of what you think is your way of doing things. I think you have to constantly relearn this in your working
career---that what you think you can’t do is what you already should be doing,
and you’re just putting it off.
Simply because you’re afraid to lose yourself. But when you
lose yourself, that’s when the art happens.”
*From a 1989
interview with John Zinsser in ‘Larry Poons: Paintings, 1963-1990
