Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, award-winning artist, Marie Massey, has been drawing and painting since she could hold a pencil. Her earliest memories of painting date back to 4 years old in her Grandmother’s garden with some water colors, pencil and a rose as her subject. Since those early years, Marie has sought to express her deep appreciation for the beauty of nature, wildlife and humanity in her artwork. Marie’s work has evolved from highly detailed realism in water color to loose, impressionistic paintings in oil.

She credits this transition with the method of painting in layers which she learned from her mentor and teacher, Barbara Marquardt. “This method has helped me to unleash my creativity and allow the magic to happen on the canvas.” she says. Marie’s work is has been described as American Impressionism, distinguished by exciting use of brilliant color, unique composition, and elements of expressionism.

Marie studied art at the California College of Arts and Crafts, U.C. Santa Barbara and the Loveland Academy of Art as well as with many well-known fellow artists. She has now begun to teach both plein air and studio workshops. She is a member of the Estes Park Plein Air Painters, the Artist Association of Northern Colorado, The Santa Cruz Art League, the Oil Painters of America, and the Thompson Valley Art League.

Marie travels extensively and loves to plein aire paint in beautiful places around the world including the US, Europe, the Carribean, Central and South America. She also enjoys painting wildlife, portraiture, still life, and fantasy. Many of Marie’s fantasy pieces are inspired by the architecture, landscapes, and exotic wildlife she is exposed to on her travels.

Marie’s work is represented by Walden Fine Art in Taos, New Mexico and has also shown at galleries in Carmel, Sedona, and New York. Her artwork has been juried into many national and prestigious shows across the U.S. at which she has won numerous awards for her oil paintings. Marie has a long list of avid collectors.Her work has sold well and hangs in private collections throughout the country.

With a BA in Political Economy from UC Berkeley, and an MBA from Golden Gate University, before turning to painting full time, Marie founded Concept2Profit, a marketing and business development consultancy in the Silicon Valley. Marie enjoys using her business background in volunteer work to promote the arts and care for the environment and wildlife. Marie shares her time between her Dolphin Dunes Studio in La Selva Beach, CA and her Painted Meadows Studio in Bellvue, CO.

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