Marsha Balian:Oakland Mixed Media Artist Unveils New Solo Show in Sausalito

Marsha Balian:Oakland Mixed Media Artist Unveils New Solo Show in Sausalito        Expect the unusual from artist Balian! Marsha has again used fascinating tid-bits of ephemera in her latest art. Don't miss her new show.    Well known local artist Marsha Balian, active in the San Francisco area, has announced an art show of her latest works entitled ""Letters Home, Winter Art"" at Thomson Hall Gallery.    "Letters Home, Winter Art" show of new mixed media art by Marsha Balian Now through February 23 2015 Reception Sunday February 8th 11:00 to 2:00pm Free Meet the artist Thomson Hall Gallery Sausalito Presbyterian Church 112 Bulkley Sausalito Ca.94965 415-332-3700 Show of work by Oakland artist Marsha Balian including a new series based on found letters dated from 1897. Artwork incorporates drawings, collage, paint, and fabric on wood panels. Marsha Balian is a self taught mixed media artist whose work is strongly narrative with undercurrents of humor. Her work has been shown throughout the Bay Area and in many parts of the country.      Artist Statement -There are three elements that compel the production of art for me. The first is a sense of mystery. I never know what will appear as I am working on a piece of art. I may begin the process with shadowy notions, but in many respects it is the force of curiosity that holds my attention captive. It is like reading a "whodunit" without the structure of a crime. I want to carry on until the conclusion. Which isn't to say that the work completes itself, or arrives with ghostly aid. But there is still a riddle to be solved, an equation to be resolved, a conundrum to be settled that I find more compelling or absorbing than any other activity in life. I have no formal training or instruction in art. So the second element is invention. I test an idea, use whatever materials may be at hand, incorporate found objects, papers, detritus. The risks of failure are perhaps no different than any other pursuit, even with the benefit of instruction. But stubbornness trumps failure and I try until something works, at least to my own satisfaction. The third influence for me is the power of story, both my own and that of others. Embedded in memory, or swimming in our thoughts, we all replay the narrative of our lives, perhaps to make sense of it, perhaps to extract threads of meaning. And all current experience interacts with the past. I also work as a health care provider. In that role I am eyes and ears, absorbing data, stories, strength and struggle. All that I take in is mediated by love and humor, which is often the only weapon in the losing battles we all must face. That humor feeds me and infuses my artwork where I have the lucky opportunity to celebrate and laugh. Contact for further information: Marsha Balian www.marshabalian.com 510-601-1632