“Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are all in harmony.” Mahatma Gandhi
7811 Gallery
Thrilled to be in this exhibition in the heart of Melrose Design District!
I was blown away by the amount of people who drove across town
to see the show!
Your smiles, flowers, conversation
and art collecting were such a blessing!
Come see the exhibition, Through April 7th
Love,
Your Swimming Pool Mermaid Marisa
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Thrilled to announce that I will be in a 3-person exhibition this February-April! For the first time in Los Angeles, several of my new works on raw canvas will be included in the exhibition. Come join us on opening night!
For more information, please visit the gallery website: https://www.7811gallery.com/beyond
Marisa Murrow born in Los Angeles, has traveled the world exploring art and culture. India and Indonesia left lasting impressions on her creative path. In this exhibit, she presents luscious gardens and tranquil waters that transport the viewer to a dreamlike state of escape. She developed the swimming pool series when longing to go on vacation during the lockdown, further expanding on the series when commissioned to paint a Collector’s garden and pool. Most recently, while an artist-in-residence at the Vermont Studio Center in rainy New England, near a river, she continued to explore the theme of water and swimming pools, experimenting with fluid paint and stain on unprimed canvas. The large-scale paintings evoke mystery and a longing for the sensual. The water reflects and hides; it refreshes but can be dangerous. It lies beyond ourselves, but also within us. Murrow plays with these subtle tensions and contrasts. She works with skill, yet allows the work to take on a life of its own. She gives voice to her passions using color, tone, and a willingness to play with the uncontrollable in art. Figures dip toes in water, and we long to venture with them into the beyond.
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I will be exhibiting selection of paintings inspired by the intrinsic power of water in Los Angeles this February-April.
7811 Gallery 7811 Melrose Avenue. Los Angeles, CA Please join us at the Opening Reception on Thursday, February 8th. 6:30pm – 9pm
Cannot wait to send them out into the world!!!
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I just finished a commission and wanted to share the exciting play by play process with you. An East Coast art collector was inspired by my new series of “Books and Flowers” and wanted to surprise her husband with a custom painting of something he loves-Baseball card collecting. They are the proud owners of a Honus Wagner card and asked me to accentuate it in the painting .
We set out to combine the bouquet of preserved roses by Venus de Fleur and their cherished coffee table books. At first glance it seemed like alot of work-tons of rose petals and baseball players. I was honestly a little nervous to start. After painting for 20 years, this project made me feel like I was back in art school with a deadline. Always ready for a challenge and motivated this returning collector called for their 4th painting to add to their collection, I got to work. This year, I was mixing paint instead of mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving. Living the dream and enjoying the process! Special thank you to my brother who barbecued the turkey and family members who baked homemade pies, stuffing, focaccia, roasted vegetables etc. It was all delicious!
Slow and steady I told myself. Made it through the roses! There was a point in the painting that I considered sending the collector back her money. The strong determination in me to finish and the collector’s infectious enthusiasm kept me on track to bring this project to life.
Complete! It is the best feeling ever! I am so grateful to these amazing art collectors. From across the country, California to Maryland I thank you Hotchkiss for this incredibly meaningful project.
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Life is about learning and enjoying the company of others.
People often ask me questions when I tell them I am an artist. Here are some of the questions and answers that have surfaced recently:
Where do you get your inspiration? Outside and Inside….myself that is.I set out to describe my definition of home in response to an 11 month international travel experience. I felt an eagerness to express what I felt to be specific and special about this place I call home. There was also a fear that if I did not continue painting, the right of this creative passage would be diverted. Almost fearing that the desire for marriage, family life and financial stability would be prioritized.
How often do you paint? I paint because I have to. People all over the country, many of whom I have never met in person collect my work. I love to sell and share the goodness I feel inside. Making art is about communication. It must move out into the world and exist beyond the creator to be relevant. I have an almost daily approach to working. At the present, I am painting 30-40 hours a week.
Do you have a studio space? Yes! After working en plein air (outside) for 9 years, I moved in the space I have now 12 years ago. I love having a studio space to focus on what is actually being built from within. It is a privilege to paint in “A Room of One’s Own” (as Virginia Woolf so eloquently described) and I do not take this lightly.
(shhhh don’t tell my landlord, there are several nails on the building so I can view my works in progress from across the patio and street.)
What kind of paint do you use? I have worked exclusively in oil paint for 23 Last year, LA artist Habib Zamani came over for a studio visit and told me, “why don’t you paint big”, take up some space”, he said. This conversation propelled me into working on large pieces of unstretched canvas with acrylic paint. Inspired by the work of Helen Frankenthaler, I taught myself a new way of working with acrylics on raw canvas. Then I received a monthlong residency at the Vermont Studio Center where I pushed the large paintings in a whole new direction.
What is the most difficult part of being a full time artist? I am a super social person and this work can be very isolating.
What are you working on now? A commission for collectors back East (their 4th painting) , completing several large scale pool paintings and of course several mobile home park paintings.
Thank you for stopping by!
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Have you ever found yourself doing something else instead of what you intend to work on? People think they are procrastinating, but Einstein referred to this kind of diversion as combinatory play. He defines: “The act of opening up one mental channel by dabbling in another”. He was famous for playing the violin to get a new perspective on math problems.
Elizabeth Gilbert writes In Big Magic,, “Part of the trick of combinatory play, I think, is that it quiets your ego and your fears by lowering the stakes.”
I had an inspiring idea one day when I saw the display case outside my studio – it could be the perfect place for a Free Library. With lots of foot traffic passing by, people might appreciate the inspiration. Armed with cleaning supplies and special glue to repair the mirrors, I got to work cleaning out the space. Then, I reached out to the UCLA Thrift Store, who lent me some books to kickstart the project. They even asked, ‘How many bags would you like?’
This experience had a profound impact on my mindset, helping me find focus for my studio work.
When I finished ‘Combinatory Playtime,’ I was greeted with the commission waiting for me. The feeling of accomplishment was incredible! Not only did I create a large Mobile Home Park painting that the collectors are genuinely excited about, but I also realized that art has the potential to transform neighborhoods.
Art isn’t just about aesthetics; it can be a force for positive change. My recent experiences have reinforced my belief in the power of creativity to enhance not only our personal lives but also the communities we are a part of. I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to both the art world and our neighborhood.”
“No One Is Too Busy to Be Creative”
To read more, here is an interview with Elizabeth Gilbert by Dana Rousmaniere https://hbr.org/2015/12/no-one-is-too-busy-to-be-creative
Thanks for visiting this Blog!
Marisa Murrow
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What a gift it was to receive a month-long residency at the Vermont Studio Center. The contrast between leaving the bustling city of Los Angeles and immersing myself in the serene, small town feeling of Vermont is evident in the big leap I was able to make in the work. It’s clear that the landscape and thriving arts community provided the perfect backdrop for uninterrupted exploration and self-discovery.
Working outside of one’s comfort zone can be both exhilarating and challenging. Sourcing images from Instagram and private gardens I sought to expand on the pool series in a new way. The unfamiliarity of the medium, in this case, thin washes of acrylic paint and water on 5′ x 6′ raw canvas, added excitement and the occasional deep frustration to my process. To work on this scale, I was literally getting wet, which brought the feeling of vacation all over me and the studio. It’s through these moments of experimentation that I was able to gain a deeper understanding of my potential and vision.
The residency culminated in an exhibition where this new work was shared with the local community and fellow artists. It was a gratifying experience to showcase the fruits of our labor and engage with people who appreciate and understand the artistic journey.
Undoubtedly, the memories, connections with fellow artists and lessons learned during this residency will always hold a special place in my artistic development.
I invite you to view some photos from this exciting journey. Feel free to ask me questions. This work is available.
I loved working large in this beautiful riverside studio! It made me feel like I hit the big time.
How it began.
I ruined this painting. In an attempt to punctuate certain areas I put too much emphasis on the plants. As I worked, they became darker and darker. Instead of being almost done, I destroyed all the wonderful parts of the painting. For the first time in my studio life, I was so upset I cried. The intensity was real. This is what I was searching for; a transformation. After working consistently for 20 + year, it was most humbling to have this level of disappointment and struggle. Later that day, I walked into the art supply store bought more canvas and began another painting (first image at the top of this page)
Here I am experimenting and oh my goodness, I made a finished painting in the process!
Of course this California girl provided her studio guests a crisp glass of Sauvignon Blanc from her fancy paint bucket on opening night.
Studio View with refreshing river sounds!
Thanks for visiting! May Peace be with you!
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As a native Angeleno, there was a time, that I wanted to leave Los Angeles. All my friends were moving away, getting married, transferring jobs and I, was “still here”.
The artist in me began looking for ways to describe these feelings on a professional level. Craving change, adventure, togetherness-Somehow making paintings of boats provided excellent subject matter for these feelings 
. Through the process of painting, I learned that it is possible to change in place. If you are feeling stuck or confused, just think about a sailboat gliding through the water. It’s supposed to take time-
Looking down at my paint smeared hands, a rush of shame came over me that night. I cannot remember what I said to my classmates in the studio as we sipped beer, but I remember feeling shutdown and ashamed. Up until that point, I thought I was deep, talented, street smart, adventurous…..How could I draw from an informed place when my view of the world outside the US consisted of several trips to Mexico and Canada. In that minute I decided to do something about my lack of international influence. This very conversation ignited something undeniable: I must travel far and wide.
But how? I needed to recruit a travel partner. At the time, my best friend from high school was miserable at her data entry job in Venice Beach. I, a 24 year old about to graduate art school, floral designer with no idea how I was going to keep making art and pay bills, decided it was the perfect time for a big change. We both set out with unshakeable determination to work as hard as we could, save money and travel the world together. My parents would never agree to our country count: Tanzania, Morocco, Vietnam, India um, Bali to name a few. By planning and paying for it, we were claiming it, all ours. 10 months later, packs strapped to our backs, we were hugging our parents goodbye at LAX. Filled with a lifetime of memories, our minds and eyes were forever changed. 19 countries,11 months later, we arrived in Los Angeles (right after 9/11).
Reflecting back on the trip years later, there are 2 pivotal moments that rise up: The giddy excitement racing through our bodies as we made our way to the gate with fists full of cash, prepaid flights to all of these exciting places we planned to see. Our childhood National Geographic dreams were about to become a reality. We did it!! It is happening!!! I will never forget the feeling of accomplishment and complete freedom we celebrated that day.
The other overarching theme, as I mentioned before, I set out on this trip believing that if I was going to be an exceptional artist, I must make work from an informed place. We spent the night on the floor of a boat, in the hallway, with 50 other people island hopping in Greece. We also slept on 600 thread count sheets at La Mamounia Hotel in Marrakech. The sweltering heat of India, had us wondering how the people could be so incredibly kind and hospitable. With no space in our packs, we could not collect trinkets from our travels. We simply walked the earth together, just see what would happen. We met people for all over, making instant friends with locals and other travelers along the way. It was these connections with people that made travel meaningful. (We said yes! every time someone asked us to go somewhere. I still say yes….)
The sense of adventure has made its way into the way I approach my art. For 9 years I stood at the edge of a hillside in the Palisades painting a mobile home park. You see, this is, my definition of home. A tight knit coastal community who share common ground. Much like the uniformed education I had until age 18, there is a sameness present in the materials and shapes of these prefabricated structures. In order to get to know a place or more importantly a person, we must go inside.
Morocco: Making friends on the way to Merzouga & listening to Gnawa Diffusion (11 hour drive from Essaouira)
Nepal, about to fly into the Himalayas for a 7 day trek with this man, our cheerful porter
Bangkok: On the way to explore the famous floating markets
Kerala, India: Ashram for a week. Floor dining in mandatory silence with our hands- Yes, very awkward.
Mumbai, India: Holi, a festival of colors celebrating good over evil, rooted in the destruction of demoness Holika
Tanzania: Watching the Wildebeest Migration on a safari.
Kenya-Tanzania-Zanzibar: A typical bus stop, where vendors come to you. Sometimes there were 8 people chasing the bus carrying bags of oranges on their heads.
Pacific Palisades: Setting out to define the meaning of Home
Painting: Sold to a Collector in Vero Beach
Thanks for visiting this blog! Until next time, Ta ta!
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