I Continue To Wake Up—
—and keep observing the world and the times that I live in.
The on-going artist task of choosing what to do next requires thought. After all, producing art takes commitment and mental exercise. If chosen well, what is created may inspire fellow humans to a more benevolent, empathetic, and ethical world. It could happen!
Following are a few examples of profound insight by artists in history:
“…the Depression woke me up to the fact that I had a part in all this, as an artist.”
–Maynard Dixon, painter, circa 1934
“You quickly forget yourself in your desire to do something that needs to be done.”
–Dorothea Lange, photographer, circa 1933
“I am in the world to change the world,”
Kathe Kollwitz, printmaker, circa 1930-40s
“Artists are the carriers of history. Artists created the paintings on cave walls…”
Seitu Jones, community projects, 2016
“William Blake, in ‘Marriage of Heaven and Hell’, said that righteous indignation over injustice was the truest worship of God. I guess I am filled with righteous indignation most of the time…”
Ben Shahn, social realist, 1960
“The sleep of reason produces monsters…”
Francisco de Goya, painter, circa 1797
“I’m proud that the symbol has become such a universal sign of hope and peace.”
Gerald Herbert Holtom, designer, 1958
“The duty of the artist is not to perform for everyone on command. It is to take a stand through their art.”
Ann Telnaes, political cartoonist, 2025
“Art for me must…answer a question, or wake somebody up, or give a shove in the right direction–our liberation.”
Elizabeth Catlett, sculptor, circa 1960s
“I will show your illustrious Lordship what a woman can do.”
Artemisia Gentileschi, painter, 1600s
And so, I am embarking on my own series of ‘profound insight’. In 2025 I joined thousands in four different protests of “No Kings” and “Hands Off” against authoritarianism, immigration brutality, executive overreach, and in defense of democracy. Looking through the photos I took while at those protests I was emotionally touched by the determination in faces and accompanying statements of my fellow humans. More powerful than simply pretty smiling faces (although those have their place too) I have begun to explore my insights through the following portraiture.
Preliminary sketches.
Preliminary sketches.
Preliminary sketches.
Preliminary sketches.
Has begun…
3 Woman Show at Logan Fine Art
Katie stopped by the reception after work and added sparkle . . . as well as loving support. There were other notables there that night: Jon and Judy Anderson (Jon was my design professor at USU. A significant mentor in my life) and two artists I admire, Brad and Debra Teare. Roxane’s son, Ryan, popped in to see what his mom has been up to. Kristie Grussendorf, a fabulous watercolorist and good friend graced us with her presence, coming directly from a long painting workshop day. Even a bygone roommate from my student days at USU, Dana, showed up with her husband. So many years and so much life since college.
One of the pleasurable parts of the evening was having guests point out their favorite “Roxane” painting. This is Barb Edwards on the left and Katie Marsh on the right. Stiff competition for “Vanna White”!
Me and Susette standing by one of MY self-expressed landscape paintings.
See?! Like I said, a bundle of energy! This is Susette in front of one of her very self expressed floral paintings.
One of the ten posters we placed around town. Katie’s reflection is seen in the window. Nice design on the poster by staff at Logan Fine Art.
On the 12th, my fabulous daughter, Katie Marsh, assisted me in placing flyers and posters of the 3 woman show around town with the hope that the Utah Opera Festival crowd might be enrolled in taking a peek at our art. I think I only had courage to hand out flyers to groups of smartly dressed women and say “Go Girls!” because of my stage actress daughter’s backup.
That night, at our opening reception, I had the pleasure of showing off my friend, Roxane’s, new technique with a palette knife to attendees. Roxane, meanwhile, was winging her way to China with her scientist husband, Jim. I did not know Susette before that evening although I had admired some of her paintings. Happy to find out she was a very pleasant, intelligent bundle of energy, easy to get along with.
Julie (Logan Fine Art staff and enthusiastic support), Katie (the fabulous daughter), Glen (my USU illustration professor and mentor friend), and Barb (art buddy forever) at the table display of my illustrations.
dilleenmarshwomanartistrenaissance 