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I was driving south on Highway 17, a winding mountain road that connects the Silicon Valley to the Santa Cruz coast. A stunning landscape appeared before me — the back of an old truck. Its rusted corners and white washed walls framed a grid pattern of worn paint made of luscious creams and crusted taupes. I followed behind as it sped through life, creating a sense of stillness within. I took mental notes of the details: a small blue rectangle in the left hand corner, a red circular light below, some writing going up the side, and the number 2 in Helvetica Bold. A delicate relationship of shape, color, and texture. A peeling off of time caught in perfect balance.
These are the ordinary experiences I record when I return to my studio, Believe. The painting to the right is a result of my drive over hwy 17 in search of the coast, only to find my soul deliciously stolen by the back of an old truck. An interpretation of nature juxtaposed against modern day life. My paintings always find their way back to the subject of nature. The search for peace and beauty, the questions of modern life, my encapsulated small little life and the message I bear: One of hope in the face of a foreboding landscape. Whimsical drawings appear like icing on a cake... I shift back and forth.
As a visual artist, I hope to bring you into my world for just a moment. Thank you for browsing through my new site and new work, and remember that without your participation, my paintings feel unfinished.
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A native Californian, Marti Somers received her fine arts degree at the University of Hawaii. Much of her inspiration comes from living near the coast of northern California, where she resides with her husband, Artem, and dog Mischa in San Carlos, California.
2007 Exhibitions & Upcoming Events
April, Bryant Street Gallery, Palo Alto CA
Spring, Ruth Morpeth Gallery Group Show
May, Silicon Valley Open Studios
June, Monotype Marathon X, San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art
Previous Exhibits
2006 April R E C R E A T I O N S, Solo, Bryant Street Gallery,
Palo Alto CA
2006 Monotype Marathon X, San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art
2005 March F A N, Solo, Bryant Street Gallery, Palo Alto CA
2005 Monotype Marathon X, San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art
2004 March B R E A T H E, Solo, Bryant Street Gallery, Palo Alto CA
2003 April Upon this Earth, Solo, Bryant Street Gallery, Palo Alto CA
2003 Summer, New Work, Group, Bryant Street Gallery, Palo Alto CA
History
1993-2000 Artefact Design, Palo Alto, CA Principle/Designer/illustrator
1985-1993 Graphic Designer, Stanford University
1975 Stanford University Summer Program, Florence, Italy
1975 BFA, University of Hawaii, Manoa
Honors & Awards
Communication Arts Illustration Annual 1998
Communication Arts Illustration Annual 2001
Society of Illustrators, New York 2001
Print Magazine 1996, 97, 98, 99, 2000
Western Art Directors Club 1996, 97, 98, 99, 2000
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