ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
"Healing Through Light" Art of Marilyn Wells
Current member & showing at 931Gallery, Denver CO, she also was most recently featured in WCACO show, April 2023, 40 West Arts District, Lakewood CO, 2023, Urban Mud Member Show, Dec 2021, 5280 Magazine, "Lights Out" End Page, Solo Art Show, “Inviting the Mystic” at Metropolitan Frame and has taught meditative Sumi e brushwork at Walker Fine Art in Denver, Colorado, Foothills Art Center in Golden, CO, Arvada Center for Arts, Arvada, CO
Marilyn Wells - Process for Sumi e Painting
To alter my train of conscious thinking, I begin with an unfamiliar line of poetry, a haiku, a koan, or a piece of music I can bodily experience. An emotion within my body is evoked on a deeper level than the rational and verbal intellect.
I am listening to a voice within me, not my head voice. After some warm up practice and reacquaintance with brushstrokes and the paint quality, I am quiet in front of a piece of rice paper. Then, out of this deeper space, I respond with my brush and my ink. The image is painted—almost, it seems, of its own accord—as if the brush has a voice of its own.
I have often watched others as they sit with my unfamiliar and foreign work and writing. I watch their face come back renewed as though from a foreign land.
There is a pure joy in heartful being that cannot be said. There is a pure joy in soulful oneness that cannot be said. Healing comes from that contemplative depth. It feels magical.
The magic is real and is communicated in vibrating energies within myself, within the viewer, that move out into the world, making it a better, more loving and fulfilling place to be.
Our world is so cerebral. We thirst for a deeper experience. My paintings invite the viewer into that experience. This is also the way of the feminine, a way or knowing in more wholeness, my way of Finding My Heart and Soul in Sumi e Painting.
Artist Statement - Healing Through Light - the Art of Marilyn Wells
What I do in my artworks is reveal the Light against the Darkness. This comes to me through Heart and Soul, not linear thinking. It most often comes out of silence and solitude.
People often tell me they experience healing when spending time with my artworks. They tell me it’s because they become more conscious of their own experience of Light from Heart and Soul, which gives them a sense of freedom, of hope, and healing.
My art creates a moment to pause, to connect and contemplate, time to reflect as the viewer projects into the created space. Meditation enhances the observation and contemplation - a healing process naturally occurs within.
This is how I’ve come to know that Healing Through Light occurs in my Artworks.
This work comes from a contemplative depth of meditation, both Zen Buddhist and Contemplative Christian, and from studying Zen artists, poets and Western abstract artists from Kokoschka through Helen Frankenthaler, Franz Kline, Robert Motherwell and all the abstract artists in between.
Marilyn Wells - Process for Color Paintings
I long for Color. With color and line, I illustrate the feminine and landforms in narrative, archetypal, and magical landscapes in which I live, have lived, and want to live.
My painting process is layering in oil and cold wax from a dark ground to light. This reveals the essence I strive to reveal - inner divinity against a patterned, decorative world, or at other times, the inner light shining within persons against the outer darkness of chaos.
I return to abstract oil painting when I need to revel in color and raw emotion. The abstract oil paintings are direct and immediate, based on poetry and quotations, like my stark black on white Sumi e paintings.
I am striving always to create inspirational paintings that reveal your inner light and creativity - from line and color, as spirt and the Way of the Tao moves me.
All works on this site are are copyrighted by the artist and the artist alone.
Education
2001 Jungian Psychotherapy Certification, C.G. Jung Foundation of Colorado, Denver, Colorado
2000 Ph.D. Jungian Psychotherapeutic Studies and Dream Analysis, Greenwich University, Hawaii
1998 Colorado Association of Psychotherapists Certification
1996 Japanese Cultural Studies, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado
1978 M.Ed. Religious Studies, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
1975 M.Ed. Major in Art Education, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
1974 Banff School of Fine Arts, Drawing and Painting
1968 B.A. Major in Art, Minor in Education, “With Distinction in Art”, Alpha Chi Honor Society for Academic Excellence, Hastings College, Hastings, Nebraska
1961 Drawing and Design, Night Classes, University of Nebraska
Awards / Grants & Recognition
1996 New England Renaissance Studies, National Endowment for the Arts, Concord and Boston, Massachusetts
1978 Royal Guestbook Design for Queen Elizabeth, Town of Vegreville, Queen’s Visit Committee, Vegreville, Alberta, Canada
1975 S. Hodgson Award - Outstanding Achievement, Figure Drawing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
1967 Hastings College, B.A. with Art Honors, Hastings, Nebraska
Related Courses
2015-2018 Art Students League of Denver Open Studio, Life Drawing, Denver, Colorado
2014-2012 Life Drawing, Lakewood Cultural Art Center, Lakewood, Colorado
2016-1996 Religious Studies, Contemplative Christianity, Contemplative Outreach, Denver, Colorado, with Thomas Keating O.C.S.O, and
Albuquerque, New Mexico. with Richard Rohr O.F.M.
2008 “A Brush with Emptiness: Zen Creativity and the Art of Emptiness” with Alok Hsu Kwang Han, Sedona Art Center, Sedona, Arizona
1987-1985 Botanical Illustration with Rob Proctor, Denver Botanic Gardens, Colorado
1985 Figure and Watercolor with Buffalo Kaplinsky, Art Students League of Denver, Denver, Colorado
1981-1982 Effective Teaching, 2-year program, Edmonton Public Schools, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
1978 Enamel Cloisonné, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
1977 Banff School of Fine Arts, Drawing and Painting with Graham Coughtry, Dennis Burton, Banff, Alberta, Canada
1976-1973 Painting and Drawing Figure, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
1975-1974 Workshops in Weaving, Enameling, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
1973 Portrait Painting with Paul Braid, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
1972 Landscape Painting, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Teaching: Art Education
1995-90 Grades 6-8, Adams City Middle School, Commerce City, Colorado
1987-86 Grades 10-12, Columbine High School, Littleton, Colorado
1985-86 Grades 6-8, Scott Carpenter Middle School, Westminster, Colorado
1984-78 Grades 7-9, Edith Rogers Jr. High, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
1978 University of Alberta, Graduate Student Program, Faculty Advisor, Alberta, Canada
1977-67 Grades 10-12, Vegreville Composite High School, Vegreville, Alberta, Canada
1973-72 Adult Art Education with Prof. Wolfarth, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Professional Experience
2013-1997 Director of Operations, Margot Elena Design Studio, Denver, Colorado
2012-1997 Jungian Art Psychotherapy, Private, One on One, Glendale, Colorado
2002-1995 Dream Study Group Work, Denver, Colorado
Professional Research Sabbaticals
2019-2009 Writing - Rocky Mountain Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators
2007 Watercolor Painting, Idhra, Greece
2000-1996 C. G. Jung Foundation of Colorado, Denver, Colorado
1978-1976 Martin Buber, I-Thou Dialogical Relationships, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
Teaching – Adult Workshops and Community Outreach 2021-current: Arvada Art Ctr, Arvada CO
2023 - Denver Art Museum, "Mindful Looking"
2019 Nov: "Find your Heart and Soul in Sumi Brushwork, Mayu Meditation Ctr., Denver, CO2019 Aug: “Urban
2019 Oct: “Find your Heart and Soul in Meditative Sumi-e Brushwork”, Foothills Art Center, Golden
2019 Aug: "Urban Sketching” Daylong Workshop, Louisville Art Association, Louisville, Colorado
2019 May: “Find your Heart and Soul in Meditative Sumi-e Brushwork”, Walker Fine Art, Denver, Colorado
2019 Apr: “Urban Sketching”, Louisville Art Association, Louisville, Colorado
2019-2014 Denver Urban Sketching, Denver, Colorado
2016-2011 MarilynWellsArtJournal.com – blog
2010-1998 “No Fear Watercolor”, Artist Within Studio, Glendale, Colorado
2009 “Dream Analysis & Carl Jung” University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado
2008-1997 Dream Study, Mind, Body Health, Community College Aurora, Aurora, Colorado
2008-1997 Creative Visualization as Art, Mind, Body Health, Community College Aurora, Aurora, Colorado
2008-1997 Expressive Painting for Healing, Dream Study, Mind, Body Health, Community College Aurora, Aurora, Colorado
1999-1997 Watercolor, Arvada Center, Lakewood, Colorado
1975-1965 Community Art Club, Vegreville, Alberta,CA
Publications
5280 Magazine Dec 20/Jan 21 feature article
2000 “The Light in the Shadows, African American Stories as Jungian Path of Individuation or Campbell’s Heroic Journey” Dissertation for Ph.D., Greenwich University, Hawaii
1983 The Annual Journal of Canadian Society Education through Art, “A Buberian Reflection on Current Art Education Textbooks”
1981 “Buberian Dialogical Relationships”, University of Alberta, Masters in Art Education Thesis, Alberta, Canada,
1976-1967 Vegreville Observor Newspaper, numerous publications about the artist & her work, Vegreville, Alberta, Canada
1966 Hastings Nebraska Daily Tribune, Prize Winners in Art, head shot & painting image Hastings, Nebraska
Board Related Activities
1975 Pysanka Memorial Commission Committee, Community of Vegreville, Vegreville, Alberta, Canada
1968-1973 Vegreville Preventative Social Services Board member, Vegreville, Alberta, Canada
Solo Exhibitions
2019 Metropolitan Frame Colorado, “Inviting the Mystic”, Denver, Colorado
2017 Aurora Cultural Arts District, “The Imagery of Healing”, Aurora, Colorado
2016 Margot Elena Design Studio, “Art and Jazz Performance Poetry” Inverness Park, Englewood, Colorado
Various International Acquisitions & Private Collections
USA
Canada
Europe
Memberships and Associations
2019-2017 Sogetsu Ikebana Society of Colorado and International Ikebana Society
2019-2017 Philantrophic Educational Organization Chapter FI, Colorado
2019-2016 Colorado Sumi-e Society, Denver, Colorado
2019-2014 Art Students League of Denver, Colorado
2019-2009 Rocky Mountain Society of Children’s and Writers and Illustrators
2021-2000 Registered Psychotherapist, Colorado Mental Health Grievance Board, State of Colorado Department of Regulation, Denver, Colorado
2019-2000 Jung Society of Colorado
Exhibition Record
Group - Invitational
2023 Dec 931Gallery, Denver CO
2021 Dec Urban Mud Members Show, Denver CO
2018 Capital Tea, Denver, Colorado, “Sumi-e Today”
2004-1999 Catwalk Gallery, Denver, Colorado, “Artist Within” Art Series
2004-1996 Bloom Gallery, Lawrence, Kansas, “Women in Nature” – sand paintings
1998 Workshops Open Studio Tour, Glendale, Colorado, “Summer Artists”
1998 Denver Center for Performing Arts Open Exhibition, Denver, Colorado, “Colorado Presents”
1995 PBS Art Auction, Denver, Colorado
1985 South West Plaza, Littleton, Colorado
1985 Kaleidoscope Coffee House, Aurora, Colorado
1978-1975 Wells Art Studio and Henley Art Gallery, Vegreville, Alberta, Canada
1975 Aurora Historical Museum, Aurora, Nebraska
1968 Hastings College Retrospective Exhibit, Nebraska
1961 Student Exhibit, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska
Juried Exhibitions
2018 Niza Knoll Art Gallery, “Sumi-e Painting/Traditional and Emerging Expressions”, Juried by: Mamiko Ikeda, Denver, Colorado
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Professional Experience
Art Teacher
Elementary-Post Graduate
and Private Lessons
Dream Study,
Denver, Colorado
Jungian Art Psychotherapy,
Denver, Colorado
Watercolor Painting,
Idhra, Greece
"When night has fallen I, delivered, shall read my course in the stars." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery
14" x 18" on mulberry paper,
flat mounted original
or as a Print,
See My Store for sizes
“For the most part the flights were without incident.
Like sea divers, we sank peacefully into the depths of our element.”
-Antoine de Saint-Exupéry “Wind, Sand and Stars” 1827S - Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Available as A Print
Varying Sizes
Or maybe it’s about the wonderful
Things that may happen if you break
The ropes that are holding you.
from-M.Oliver “Ropes Upstream” 1935S by Marilyn Wells
Indeed God has written a thousand promises all over your heart that say, Life, Life, Life, is far too sacred to ever end. -Rumi
14" x 18" on mulberry paper
flat mounted original
Lust...the thousand pound odometer meter on the dashboard of the infinite"...T.Robbins 1867S
14" x 18" on mulberry paper,
flat mounted original
"We're not involved in a relationship, you and I, we're involved in a collision. - Tom Robbins
14" x 18" on mulberry paper,
flat mounted original
A Jar Full of Delight
Every object, every being,
is a jar full of delight…
Rumi 1811S
14" by 18" on mulberry paper,
flat mounted & framed
The dragon’s jewels are found
in every wave.
Looking for the moon, it is
here, in this wave, in the next.
-Dogen 1812S
14" by 18" on mulberry paper,
flat mounted, original
Frog pond.
A leaf falls in
without a sound.
Matsuo Bashō 1644-1694 1813S
14" by 18" on mulberry paper,
flat mounted original
14" by 18" on mulberry paper,
flat mounted, framed
Joys and sorrows pass, each by each,
Failure one moment, happy success the next.
But for me, I have chosen freedom
from the world’s cares. I chose simplicity.
-Hsieh Ling-Yun (385-433) . 1814S - 3
Joys and sorrows pass, each by each,
Failure one moment, happy success the next.
But for me, I have chosen freedom
from the world’s cares. I chose simplicity.
-Hsieh Ling-Yun (385-433) 1814S -2
14" by 18" on mulberry paper,
flat mounted, framed
Joys and sorrows pass, each by each,
Failure one moment, happy success the next.
But for me, I have chosen freedom
from the world’s cares. I chose simplicity.
-Hsieh Ling-Yun (385-433) 1814S -1
14" by 18" on mulberry paper,
flat mounted, framed
14" by 18" on mulberry paper,
flat mounted, framed
Let yourself be silently drawn
by the stronger pull of what you really love.
Rumi 1815S
When you see a pearl on the bottom,
you reach through the foam and the
broken sticks
on the surface.
Rumi 1831S
14" by 18" on mulberry paper,
flat mounted, framed
14" by 18" on mulberry paper,
flat mounted, framed
Solomon saw that her heart was open to him
And that the throne would soon
be left behind.
Rumi 1816S 2
Every moment, the sunlight
is totally empty and totally full.
Rumi 1817S
14" by 18" on mulberry paper,
flat mounted, framed
“In the uncertain hour before the morning
Near the ending of the interminable night…
“Little Gidding’ - T. S. Eliot 181S
14" by 18" on mulberry paper,
flat mounted, framed
print - See My Store for sizes & prices
14" by 18" on mulberry paper,
flat mounted original
prints available
Look, I want to love this world
as though it’s the last chance
I’m ever going to get
to be alive
and know it.
October - Mary Oliver 1821S
Dream & Glide Deeper
14" by 18" on mulberry paper,
flat mounted original
At night before sleeping you
take off the tight shoes,
and your soul releases
into a place it knows.
Dream and glide deeper.
Rumi (CB) 1820S
14" by 18" on mulberry paper,
flat mounted original
Make of yourself a light
said the Buddha
before he died.
-Mary Oliver 1822S
14" by 18" on mulberry paper,
flat mounted, framed
This now is it. Your deepest
need and desire
is satisfied by this moment’s energy
here in your hand.
Rumi “Father Reason” 1824S
14" by 18" on mulberry paper,
flat mounted
Don’t go to strangers.
Just come on home to me.
Etta James 189S
14" by 18" on mulberry paper,
flat mounted, framed
…this much I have learned—
if not enough else—
to live with my eyes open.
Mary Oliver 187S
14" by 18" on mulberry paper,
flat mounted original
This dove here senses
the love-hawk floating above
and waits and will not be driven
or scared to safety.
-Rumi 186S
Wabi Sabi in Nature.
Rocks, Trees and Weeds.
"I listen to those teachers,
and others too—
The wind in the trees…"
-M.O. The Teachers -2101OBW
Sumi Oil On Canvas 9" x 12"
$250.00
Wabi Sabi in Nature.
Rocks, Trees and Weeds.
“Nobody owns the sky or the trees…"
-M.O. Winter and the Nuthatch 2102OBW
Sumi Oil On Canvas 14" x 18"
$385.00
Wabi Sabi in Nature.
Rocks, Trees and Weeds.
"Do they love their life?
Or does their patience drown
Out everything else?"
-M.O. Do Stones Feel 2013OBW
Sumi Oil On Canvas 14" x 18"
$385.00
Wabi Sabi in Nature.
Rocks, Trees and Weeds.
"What was told to the cypress
That made it strong
and straight…that’s happening here…"
-Rumi, The Soul of Rumi 2104OBW
Sumi Oil On Canvas 14" x 18"
$385.00 In Store
"I dip my cupped hands. I drink
a long time. It tastes
like stone, leaves, fire. It falls cold
into my body, waking the bones. I hear there deep inside me, whispering,
ah what is that beautiful thing
that just happened?"
- At Blackwater Pond, M. O. 2115O
Sumi Oil On Canvas 16" x 20"
$435.00 In Store
Wabi Sabi in Nature.
Rocks, Trees and Weeds.
"Red bird came all winter
Firing up the landscape
As nothing else could..."
- M.O. Red Bird
Sumi Oil On Canvas 18" x 24"
$505.00 In Store
Wabi Sabi in Nature.
Rocks, Trees and Weeds.
“To the Woods Alone”
…ordinarily I go to the woods alone with not a single
Friend…
-M. Oliver To the Woods Alone 2107OBW
Sumi Oil On Canvas 16" x 20"
$435.00 In Store
Wabi Sabi in Nature.
Rocks, Trees and Weeds.
“Is it true as it rises delighted
with its many branches,
each one like a poem"
-M.O. Do Stones Feel 2116O
Sumi Oil On Canvas 16" x 20"
$435.00 In Store
Wabi Sabi in Nature.
Rocks, Trees and Weeds.
We have lived with cottonwoods all our lives, and they will not be propagated much longer, like the Russian Olive, having become a nuisance for folks with allergies. Save our Trees.
Sumi Oil On Canvas 18" x 24"
$505.00 In Store
Wabi Sabi in Nature.
Rocks, Trees and Weeds.
Someday we’ll live in the sky.
Meanwhile, the house of our lives
Is this green world.
The fields, the ponds, the birds.
The thick black oaks.
- M.O. Boundaries 2110BW
Sumi Oil On Canvas 30" x 40"
Prints Available In Store
Just past dawn, the sun stands
with its heavy red head
in a black stanchion of trees,
I too spend my days grazing,
till darkness calls,
I walk away into the night,
swinging the little tin bell
of my name.
-Ted Kooser 2201OBW
Sumi Oil On Canvas 28" x 36"
Prints Available In Store
Wabi Sabi in Nature.
Rocks, Trees and Weeds.
Sumi Oil On Canvas, Set of 6, 12"x10" and 8"x 10"
SOLD
“Only one who makes no attempt to possess it
cannot lose it.”
-Lao Tzu - Tao Te Ching 185O
Oil On Canvas 20" x 24" $525
Sumi e Sculpture, "Goddess 1" Zen style, fired-clay original with black glaze, inspired by Neolithic hand carvings. I call this Sumi e, as it is black as ink.
High fired clay ceramics, glazed in black. Mounted on gently finished rose quartz.
This piece is 9” high by approximately 11” across at widest point and 4.5" deep. - $450
Sumi e Sculpture, Zen style, fired-clay original with black glaze, inspired by Neolithic hand carvings. I call this Sumi e, as it is black as ink.
"Bird Goddess" represents a sect that had great admiration for the freedom and tenacity of birds, calling on their powers to soar to ultimate heights.
High fired clay ceramics, glazed in black. Base not included.
This piece is 9.5” high by approximately 3.5” across at widest point. - $450
Sumi e Sculpture, Zen style, fired-clay original with black glaze, inspired by Neolithic hand carvings. I call this Sumi e, as it is black as ink.
High fired clay ceramics, glazed in black. Base not included.
This piece is high by approximately 5 6/8” tall, 6” deep, 5” across at widest point. - $550
Sumi e Sculpture, Zen style, fired-clay original with black glaze, inspired by Neolithic hand carvings. I call this Sumi e, as it is black as ink.
High fired clay ceramics, glazed in black. Base not included.
This piece is high by approximately 5 6/8” tall, 6” deep, 5” across at widest point.- $550
Sumi e Sculpture, Zen style, fired-clay original with black glaze, of the “Sacred Feminine” series inspired by Neolithic hand carvings. I call this Sumi e, as it is black as ink.
This piece is high by approximately 5 6/8” tall, 6” deep, 5” across at widest point. $550.00
Sumi e Sculpture, Zen style, fired-clay original with black glaze, of the “Sacred Feminine” series inspired by Neolithic hand carvings. I call this Sumi e, as it is black as ink.
This piece is high by approximately 4” tall, 7” across at widest point. Base is not Included. $225.00
Sumi e Sculpture, Zen style, fired-clay original with black glaze, of the “Sacred Feminine” series inspired by Neolithic hand carvings. I call this Sumi e, as it is black as ink.
This piece is high by approximately 4” tall, 7” across at widest point. Base is not Included. $450.00
If you have ever gone to the woods with me, I must love
you very much.”
― by Marilyn Wells,from Mary Oliver, “How I go to the Woods”, 22090C
30" x 40"
Available In Store
"Without reference to texts or traditions
We drink the life water together." Rumi -2202OC
oil on canvas
14" x 18"
Available in Store
"A person blended into God does not disappear. She
Is just completely soaked into God’s qualities."
- Rumi -Zikhr 2201OC
oil on canvas 18" x 24"
SOLD
Prints Available In Store
"There are some who see me
By the same light in which I
Am seeing them.
Our natures are one." -Rumi
-Chinese and Greek Art 2203OC
oil on canvas
20" x 24" SOLD
Prints Available in Store
"The body itself is a screen
To shield and partially reveal
The light that’s blazing
Inside your presence"
- Rumi - “Story Water” Goddess 4 2204OC
20" x 24" Oil on Canvas
SOLD
Prints Available in Store
Lord, my body is not yet a temple,
but only one of your fair fields...
But even here the lily is somewhere.
-Mary Oliver 2206OC
24" x 30" Oil on Canvas
Available in Store
"...it floats down
like an armful of blue flowers, a bundle of light
coming to refresh itself in the black water...
-M.Oliver - Circles (Blue Heron) 2207OC
30" x 40" Oil on Canvas
Available in Store
"they bend as though it was natural and godly to bend,
they rise in a stiff sweetness,
in the pure peace of giving
one's gold away."
by Marilyn Wells from M.Oliver “Goldenrod” 2208OC
20" x 24" Oil on Canvas
Available in Store
"a poem about the world that has in it
nothing fancy.
But it seems impossible.
Whatever the subject, the morning sun
glimmers it."
-from“This World” -Mary Oliver 2205OC 2205OC
20" x 24" Oil on Canvas
Available in Store
Fine art
by Marilyn wells
Denver COlorado