Marsha Hamby Savage Art
Biography

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Artist Statement

My philosophy and favorite saying is “It’s the journey!” An artist should take pleasure in his journey, indulging in the pure joy of playing with the paints or whatever medium is used. For me it is the journey, not the destination! As the artist, capturing the emotion of a place, recognition or a feeling that one can identify with, is important to me. To make you see what I have seen is part of my objective; but have you feel something when looking at the painting is my intention ... I call it "viewer participation in the painting!" So, the journey of the mind is as important as the journey of the feet!

Imagine flowing creeks, tall trees, sunlit rocks, rolling hills, apple orchards and the summer scent of fresh bailed hay. This is the inspiration for my journey and has led me across the country to the Western landscape, to Europe, the Caribbean and Jamaica. Coastal scenes, moss hanging from trees, and marshes captivate me .... but then red rocks and arroyos, tall mesa and monuments also get my creative spirit thinking about paint or pastel! My love for plein air work is about the journey of learning to observe correctly, which teaches me color, atmosphere and light. So .... my studio work is not limited by a photographic image because of my observations while plein air painting!.

The inspiration for my art comes from a love of nature and outdoor activity. Some of my earliest memories are of taking off my shoes and wading in a creek, picking up a pretty rock, looking at the moss and running my hands over it. There's something about moss that just makes me want to feel it. I create paintings from the Southeastern US, but also enjoy painting plein air in other places I visit. I love to spend a little time walking and exploring each new location before I start to paint. It allows me to soak up some of the color partnerships I find there; the way they integrate and harmonize with each other is usually first in my thought process.

I plan several workshops each year and participates in plein air festivals and paint-outs as often as possible. I am asked frequently to give programs at arts organizations on my painting techniques, marketing and how I manage my art career. Demonstrating at arts organizations and my galleries several times each year is a real treat for me. I was honored to choose the “Southeast Landscape Set” produced by Terry Ludwig handmade pastels. I have studied with many talented and wonderfully giving artists! I am a Member of Excellence in the Southeastern Pastel Society, a Merit member of the Atlanta Artist Center, the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association, the North Georgia Artists' Assoc., and the International Plein Air Painters.

My paintings have been accepted into many shows and have won numerous awards. One recent award was "Best of Show" at the Great Chattahoochee Paint Out in Roswell GA. In 2010, three paintings were chosen to be displayed at the Georgia State Capital, in the offices of David Ralston, Speaker of the House. My paintings are in corporate and private collections across the United States. I am represented by Wrapsody In Blue, Blue Ridge GA, dk Gallery, Marietta, GA and Windrush Gallery, Sedona AZ. I am also represented by Xanadu Gallery in their On-Line Gallery. Please support these galleries -- visit and let them know you want to see work by Marsha Savage!