Zoom1 by Mari Chatroop

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Mari Chatroop, Phoenix
Member Since April 2014
Artist Statement ARTIST BIOGRAPHY

I am Mari McClellan, and I was born in Beloit, Wisconsin during the summer of 1959.
My early memories are of a family pet in 1961; our cocker spaniel named Mr. Magoo, and the flame colored trumpet vine that grew outside of our living room window. The vine lured amazingly hypnotic, airborne creatures who repeatedly converged and departed....hummingbirds.
The hummingbird’s beauty and effortless freedom filled me with curiosity.
I studied art in grammar and high school. I did not pursue my art degree as planned, instead trading my dream for a 17 year long solar home building adventure in the wilderness of New Mexico, with my domesticated pets and the unrestricted wildlife.
My lifestyle afforded me the opportunity to witness wildlife that was unaware of my presence. There is no better studio for capturing art than the wilderness.
The fall of 1997, I returned to academic endeavors, and in 1998, I studied with Barry Ganoe, an art instructor at TVI in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Barry taught me to see color, and recognize its dimensions. Through blending and the application of form, I bring blank canvas to life with the layering of color. Fascinated by wildlife, art was, and is my net for capturing each animal for myself, sharing what I see, via the canvas. Since those days that seem so long ago, I have moved away from the solar pioneer lifestyle, returning to college and obtaining my Bachelor’s degree in Digital Design… I am finally regaining the freedom I need to fly.