A Life In Color
Marion Coffey Paintings
Exhibition continues through December 28th
Wisconsin’s beloved artist, Marion Coffey, passed away in 2011 at the age of 87. Throughout her long career, Marion celebrated the beauty in everything she painted. She found joy in capturing the flowers in her garden, the interiors of her daughter’s home, and the gorgeous vistas from her travels. It took many years of keen observation and experimenting to arrive at the bold, expressive style that characterizes her painting. Her style was her own - daring in color and young in spirit.
Born in Milwaukee, Marion studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Fontainebleau School of Art in France. Early in her career, she worked as a commercial illustrator. Influenced by the 19th and 20th century French artists, Vlaminck, Matisse, and the Fauves, Marion became less interested in realistic depictions and began painting with vibrant colors and expressive brushstrokes. Over the last two decades, she developed a composition of large interlocking shapes reminiscent of her favorite painters, Gabriele Münter, the 20th-century German artist.
Tiny drawings filled her sketchbook and were the foundation of her art. Marion painted in all sizes but favored large scale. She sketched constantly during her travels bringing back many ideas for future work. Marion enjoyed working on handmade paper, which added depth and texture to the painting surface. A prolific artist, she produced hundreds of paintings and prints.
Marion Coffey’s paintings take us on a colorful journey capturing the essence of her subject, whether it is a vase of flowers, the brilliant patterns of African warrior robes, or the Milwaukee skyline. Marion’s art embodies a spirit that remains forever young.
