Meet the Artist
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Welcome
I’m Arlene Marks I like to create beautiful paintings that not only colour your home, but also connect you to positive emotions. Originally from Co.Fermanagh but now living in Co.Armagh, Northern Ireland. I received my BA Hons in Visual Communications from the University of Ulster (Belfast) . Shortly after I moved to Australia and travelled a lot, where I met my now husband in the Northern Territory. We married and within a year welcomed our son. It was 2014 I took my first step and launched my Facebook page Murals and Marks. I had been painting murals for years, but this was making my first business and selling this service to the wider public. |
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Murals are a fantastic way to travel and meet people. Collaborate on designs and try new styles on a variety of surfaces.
Murals and marks continued to grow with many repeat customers. My artistic skills improved too, proving consistency is key. But I always yearned for my own artwork to be painted too.
Fast forward to March 2020 the school I worked in closed due to Covid19 and I was at home more. Now was the time to Pivot. Our family conservatory changed into my art studio, bathing in natural light.
It brings me great joy to be able to paint every day and even more when I see the joy it brings to people like you.
Murals and marks continued to grow with many repeat customers. My artistic skills improved too, proving consistency is key. But I always yearned for my own artwork to be painted too.
Fast forward to March 2020 the school I worked in closed due to Covid19 and I was at home more. Now was the time to Pivot. Our family conservatory changed into my art studio, bathing in natural light.
It brings me great joy to be able to paint every day and even more when I see the joy it brings to people like you.
I love how Art can make you remember, reflect or feel. This is what I want to achieve.
I now have two styles that are spilt into representational and abstract.
My representational pieces are based on landscapes and landmarks that are based from photo references. They have harmonizing colours and focus on details such as architectural features.
Many commissions are painted in this style and I am a happy to discuss this more.
2021 will show an increase in colourful abstract pieces.
The coloured circles are inspired by the bokeh photography. It is an effect that cameras can create when blurring sources of light. They appear as circles all similar in size and slightly varied in tones. Circles hold much symbolism and my technique of them layered over each other comes from a feeling of overwhelm and chaos. Yet the end result can evoke a range of different emotions depending on the composition and colour choices.
To see what I am up to daily you can visit me on my Instagram page.
Or if you would like to visit the studio and have a cuppa in person, I would love that too.
My representational pieces are based on landscapes and landmarks that are based from photo references. They have harmonizing colours and focus on details such as architectural features.
Many commissions are painted in this style and I am a happy to discuss this more.
2021 will show an increase in colourful abstract pieces.
The coloured circles are inspired by the bokeh photography. It is an effect that cameras can create when blurring sources of light. They appear as circles all similar in size and slightly varied in tones. Circles hold much symbolism and my technique of them layered over each other comes from a feeling of overwhelm and chaos. Yet the end result can evoke a range of different emotions depending on the composition and colour choices.
To see what I am up to daily you can visit me on my Instagram page.
Or if you would like to visit the studio and have a cuppa in person, I would love that too.
What's been happening
August- My solo Exhibition
Running fron 3rd- 3oth August in Hill of The O'Neil & Ranfurly House this beautiful space provided me with plenty of room to showcase some of my previous representational style as well as my new abstract art. The coming together of these two styles lead to the name Transitions.
My year of development and change.
I really do hope you are able to visit this exhibition while it is still on. There is really nothing quite like seeing artwork up close and in person. And I am pretty sure no-body will say anything if you rub your finger across the lovely textures on the paintings.
Running fron 3rd- 3oth August in Hill of The O'Neil & Ranfurly House this beautiful space provided me with plenty of room to showcase some of my previous representational style as well as my new abstract art. The coming together of these two styles lead to the name Transitions.
My year of development and change.
I really do hope you are able to visit this exhibition while it is still on. There is really nothing quite like seeing artwork up close and in person. And I am pretty sure no-body will say anything if you rub your finger across the lovely textures on the paintings.
August 2021 issue of Local Women Magazine did a beautiful piece on my upcoming exhibition
August until October I have been facilitating a workshop. Working with the community is something I have missed especially I love working with people to bouncy ideas off. This workshop was Intergenerational, so over 65 and primary school age. Creating together side by side, talking, sharing experiences and learning new skills and taking time to think about our own wellbeing.
Hopefully this will be the first of many more to come..
Hopefully this will be the first of many more to come..
In November this painting was included in a group exhibition called TeaTime. It was a direct response to the theme. As a Tea lover myself, I went in the direction of what makes a good cup of tea?
My favourite mug.
I carried out a poll and found out that most people have a favourite mug that they drink from.
This painting is called Make Mine a Mug.
It can be seen in The New Haven Cafe, Lurgan.
My favourite mug.
I carried out a poll and found out that most people have a favourite mug that they drink from.
This painting is called Make Mine a Mug.
It can be seen in The New Haven Cafe, Lurgan.
My second workshop in December 2021 and continuing in 2022 is based on the Lurgan Artist A E Russell.
George William Russell was born in Lurgan and stayed here until he was 11 before moving to Dublin were he became a famous Poet, Painter and Designer.
Inspiring many, including Pamela Travers who later went on to write Mary Poppins.
In my workshop we look at his artwork, his themes of landscapes and fairies.
Mediums he used and what inspired him.
We take this knowledge and create works of our own.
This workshop is funded through Community Arts Project in Belfast (CAP) .
George William Russell was born in Lurgan and stayed here until he was 11 before moving to Dublin were he became a famous Poet, Painter and Designer.
Inspiring many, including Pamela Travers who later went on to write Mary Poppins.
In my workshop we look at his artwork, his themes of landscapes and fairies.
Mediums he used and what inspired him.
We take this knowledge and create works of our own.
This workshop is funded through Community Arts Project in Belfast (CAP) .
