Marilyn Hocking - Pastel
Marilyn Hocking
I was born and grew up in southern Louisiana and lived almost half my life in and around Houston, Texas. For over 16 years now, my family and I have been blessed to live on a small rural acreage just outside Ridgefield, WA. It is true what they say here in Ridgefield - this really is our little corner of Paradise.
As a former junior high school teacher, I am essentially a self- taught artist, having been exposed to only a trace of art instruction in college while earning my education degree. While painting has been my lifelong passion, it often took a back seat to the more practical matters of managing a home and family. Having "retired" from teaching and rearing children, I have thrown myself back into art with a new seriousness of purpose. Consequently, it has only been for the past few years that I have offered my work for sale to the public.
My style of painting, whether employing oils, pastels, or colored pencil, is certainly a form of realism, but I generally do not strive for a photo-realistic result. I prefer to think of it as "realistic idealism." I think of my objective when painting as an attempt to shine a spotlight on some small slice of life, generally viewed as ordinary or mundane, and perhaps re-framing it as something in which to rejoice. Hopefully the viewer will see the tiny, everyday
miracles that I am trying to acknowledge. The subjects in my work reflect the loves in my life, which in turn, often reflect the old French Cajun culture and traditions which flow in my veins--love of Nature and all things Outdoors, Gardening, Great Food (cooking and consuming!) and Celebration of Family.
I am truly honored to share my work with you and hope that in viewing it, you will find something that will somehow bring a warm smile to your heart.
As a former junior high school teacher, I am essentially a self- taught artist, having been exposed to only a trace of art instruction in college while earning my education degree. While painting has been my lifelong passion, it often took a back seat to the more practical matters of managing a home and family. Having "retired" from teaching and rearing children, I have thrown myself back into art with a new seriousness of purpose. Consequently, it has only been for the past few years that I have offered my work for sale to the public.
My style of painting, whether employing oils, pastels, or colored pencil, is certainly a form of realism, but I generally do not strive for a photo-realistic result. I prefer to think of it as "realistic idealism." I think of my objective when painting as an attempt to shine a spotlight on some small slice of life, generally viewed as ordinary or mundane, and perhaps re-framing it as something in which to rejoice. Hopefully the viewer will see the tiny, everyday
miracles that I am trying to acknowledge. The subjects in my work reflect the loves in my life, which in turn, often reflect the old French Cajun culture and traditions which flow in my veins--love of Nature and all things Outdoors, Gardening, Great Food (cooking and consuming!) and Celebration of Family.
I am truly honored to share my work with you and hope that in viewing it, you will find something that will somehow bring a warm smile to your heart.
