Artist Statement
Recently, in my spiritual searching and exploring, I have been breaking apart the ideas and meanings that I have given to myself and this world. I am allowing myself to let these ideas go and become open to new possibilities and ways of seeing. I am applying this same process with my mixed media/collages where I break up images and shapes, add colors and lines, move them around and allow the energy to flow. The joy of this new openness is expressed through both my mixed media pieces and my imaginary animal watercolors. ~ Marlaya Charleston ~
Artist BioMarlaya Charleston has been drawing and painting since the age of twelve. She began her formal training at the age of sixteen at The Art Students League in New York City. Growing up there, she had the privilege, at a young age, to visit the Modern Museum of Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Guggenheim Museum where she was moved and inspired. She continued her studies in New York at Parsons School of Design, Cooper Union and eventually earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from The School of Visual Arts. Her influences are African Art, The German Expressionists, Picasso and Matisse. In her latest work, Marlaya continues her artistic exploration by making compositions combining realistic images with abstract shape, texture and color and whimsical animal watercolors. Her works have appeared throughout the Los Angeles area and are collected internationally.
ResumeEducation: School of Visual Arts New York, N.Y. Bachelor of Fine Arts Parsons School of Design New York, N.Y. Cooper Union New York, N.Y. Art Students League New York, N.Y. Creativity, Visual Art, Movement, and Performing Workshops and Classes Carol Bodlander Venice, CA Right Brain Drawing Whizin Center for the Arts
Selected Group Exhibitions: bG Gallery @ L.A. Art Show Los Angeles Convention Center Los Angeles, CA 2020 bG Gallery @ Bergamont Station Santa Monica, CA 2020 Nutra Gallery and Museum Silver Lake, CA 2020 bG Gallery Ocean Park, CA 2019 Blue7 Gallery Santa Monica, CA 2017, 2018, 2019 San Fernando Valley Arts & Cultural Center Tarzana, CA 2017, 2018 La La Ling Los Feliz, CA 2016 Lark Gallery Hawthorne, CA 2016 Brentwood Library Brentwood, CA 2015 Dysonna City Art Gallery Los Angeles, CA 2015 Hale Art Space Santa Monica, CA 2015 11:11 Creative Collective Tarzana, CA 2014 L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center Ed Gould Plaza Los Angeles, CA 2014 Colorgraphics Los Angeles, CA 2014 Whizin Center for the Arts Imagine Exhibit Bel Air, CA 2012, 2013 Encino Terrace Center Encino, CA 2012, 2013 West Hollywood 25th Anniversary Art Exhibit West Hollywood, CA 2010 Brand Library Art Gallery Glendale, CA 2010 Women's Club of Hollywood Hollywood, CA 2009 Watts Towers Art Center Los Angeles, CA 2009 Howeeduzzit Gallery Alhambra, CA 2009 William Grant Still Arts Center Los Angeles, CA 2008 Burbank Creative Center Burbank, CA 2008 Los Angeles Sentinel Los Angeles, CA 2008 Long Beach Arts Long Beach, CA 2008 Viva Gallery Sherman Oaks, CA 2008 Artpeace Gallery Burbank, CA 2008 Howeeduzzit gallery Alhambra, CA 2008 626 Art Gallery Los Angeles, CA 2008 Bird Fine Art West Hollywood, CA 2007 The Johnson Art Collection West Hollywood, CA 2004 - 2007 The Orlando Gallery Los Angeles, CA 2004 - 2006 The Carol Lawrence Gallery Beverly Hills, CA 2006 Agape International Spiritual Center Los Angeles, CA 2006 Blue Music Los Angeles, CA 2006 Beverly Hills Art in the Garden Beverly Hills, CA 2006 Brentwood Art Show Brentwood, CA 2006 Venice Art Festival Venice, CA 2006 Sweet & Hot Jazz Festival Los Angeles, CA 2005
Selected Solo Exhibitions: Agape International Spiritual Center Los Angeles, CA 2008 The Palmer Room Los Angeles, CA 2006 The Blue 7 Gallery Santa Monica, CA 2004 The Gallery Wall Santa Monica, CA 2003
Awards/GrantsGrant received through Los Angeles City Council - 10th district
Art InstructorLos Angeles Unified School District / Adult division Los Angeles Public Libraries Los Angeles County Libraries
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© 2004-2019 Marlaya Charleston. All Rights Reserved.
I experience much joy expressing my ideas and passions through my art. I am always surprised at the result as I am working spontaneously, focusing on the process as opposed to working for a particular outcome. In my recent work, I am enjoying the playfulness I experience when making my whimsical animal watercolors and my mixed media/collages.