Artist Statement
I am an abstract painter working in acrylics. I work with the canvas laid horizontally in order to build up liquid layers of opaque and translucent color over and into each other. Working on a number of pictures at the same time, it’s a process that is intuitive rather than prescriptive and it allows each work to change and grow in response to the others. In the resulting paintings, I strive toward creating a pictorial depth that suggests both the motion of water and the ethereality of atmospheric space. Equally, I am interested in painting’s ambiguous condition, being simultaneously material substance and illusory space.
In many ways, my work is a subjective response to nature. While the paintings are non-representational, they result from spending time outside of my urban living environment, observing and responding to natural phenomena. In particular, my National Park Service residency at Fire Island National Seashore in 2019 gave me time to explore and think about this influence.
McMillen was born in Michigan but has lived all over the United States, from the Deep South to the East and West Coasts. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan having earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She studied under “colorist” Vincent Castagnacci.
She resides in a historic neighborhood in the Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati area and is very active in the arts, urban living, and the non-profit community. She enjoys exploring our national parks and international travel.
Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
The University of Michigan | Stamps School of Art and Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts
SOLO SHOWS
2019-2020 | Graydon on Main | Connecting with the Elements | Cincinnati, OH
2017 | Studio V | Flow 2017 | Cincinnati, OH
2012 | Spring Brew Café | The Girls | Crescent Springs, KY
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
2023 | Lakeside Studio | May 2023 | Lakeside, MI
2019 | Fire Island National Seashore | September 2019 | Fire Island, NY
GRANTS
2022 | Great Meadows Foundation | Artist Professional Development Grant Recipient | Critical review of BMA exhibition on Joan Mitchell
GROUP SHOWS
2023 | Lexington Art League | PRHBTN Exhibition | Lexington, Kentucky
2023 | Fire Island National Seashore | Coastal Connections | Patchogue, New York
2022 | Pour-d | Awakening | Rockford, Michigan
2021 | ADC Fine Arts | Art Comes Alive | Cincinnati, Ohio
2021 | Kentucky State Capital | Team Kentucky | Frankfort, Kentucky
2021 | Behringer-Crawford Museum | freshART 2021 | Devou Park, Covington, Kentucky
2019 | Grosse Point Artists Association | Our Rivers, Our Lakes, second place | Grosse Pointe, Michigan
2018 | ADC Fine Arts | Art Comes Alive, purchase award | Cincinnati, Ohio
2018 | The Carnegie | Swap | Covington, Kentucky
2018 | Stamps Gallery University of Michigan | Future Forward | Ann Arbor, Michigan
2018 | 124 East Pike Street Gallery | Spring 2018 | Covington, Kentucky
2017 | 124 East Pike Street Gallery | Holiday Group | Covington, Kentucky
2016 | University of Cincinnati Health | Survivor: A Journey of Courage & Healing | Cincinnati, OH
2015 | Work Gallery | Puzzles, Riddles and Enigmas | Ann Arbor, Michigan
2015 | Art Design Consultant | ACA Cincinnati, OH
2013 | Women’s Art Club of Cincinnati| Annual Show | Mariemont, OH
2012 | Pop Revolution | The Kiss | Cincinnati, OH
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
In 2009, I co-founded “Salon 11” for the purpose of bringing together women artists in a supportive environment to discuss and share knowledge about art and our roles as artists. We have monthly programs with a lively exchange of creative ideas, tour exhibitions, and host guest artists.
Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts, Covington, KY former board member: A crucial time for the growth of the gallery, expanding the art outreach program for children with a new education center & renovation of the 1904 theater.
If you have any questions or inquiries about the paintings please email me.
McMillen.Marcia@gmail.com
or call 859-760-2558