About Me

I am a senior artist and, instead of doing what most would expect of a senior, I am painting, participating in art shows & sales, trying to make social media do what I want it to do, and dealing with the issues required of an art business. I am “putting myself out there”.  It could be risky but I’m going to do it anyway.  Why?  Because time waits for no one.

I’m finally getting to do art because I am being purposeful and making it a priority in my life. I have had many years-long stretches in my life where I had not even picked up a paintbrush because I was too busy doing other things. Now time is moving on, and I am determined to focus on and use up the gift that I was given.

Over the years, I have painted all kinds of subjects and in many styles using oils, acrylics, watercolour and inks. I love to combine mediums and may add something unusual to the painting. I work in series a lot because I tend to get bored doing the same style too long. I attend art markets where I meet lovely people, sell paintings ,and talk about art. It is a real honour when my art finds a special place in someone’s home or workplace.

I find it interesting to create scenes or subjects that have not existed before - whether it’s the objects in a landscape, a building that was never constructed, or figures who have never lived and invite them to be part of our big wonderful world. And if I can add some quirkiness to a painting, all the better!

I paint because I want to honour God by creating art that offers viewers a place where they can find His beauty, peace, encouragement, or a place of connection.

It is not my intention to lead the viewer into a deep contemplation of life’s issues or expose the injustices in the world. There was a time where I may have wanted to do that but not now. Instead, I try to focus on what some would call the simple, beautiful, and peaceful parts of life.

Life can be very busy and hard sometimes so if my art can provide the viewer a space to take a momentary escape from the stresses of everyday life, then my work as an artist has found its meaning and purpose.

- Marlene Kallstrom-Barritt