Sometimes overlooked wonders of the natural world inspire Marcia Wilson's art. The artist, since childhood, has held a fascination with all things animal, wild or domestic.
Working in differing mediums such as oil, watercolor, graphite or ceramics offers a challenge to stay fresh and original when dealing with subject matter such as horses and North American wildlife. Exposure to a lifetime-wide range of materials makes this possible
Formal training began at age four in classes sponsored by the La Jolla [CA] Museum of Art. Education continued throughout school years in appointments to extra-curricular art classes sponsored by the San Diego school district.
A major in commercial art design and illustration at San Diego Mesa and City Colleges was followed by classes at Coronado School of Fine Art and a stint at Cal Poly Pomona with an animal science major pointed to horse production. In addition to the formal art training, she also had plenty of subject material available on the hoof whilst working four seasons for Thoroughbred horseracing training stables at Del Mar Turf Club during her college years.
After a family move to Oregon, the artist found employment at a local printshop doing pre-press production and commercial design. This work provided a launch pad for a return to San Diego to work for a decade in the advertising industry as graphic designer and/or art director in several agencies.
A family emergency compelled a return to Oregon for good, however. The artist now paints and teaches students in her own Shangri-La Studio Art Academy and spent 13 years, volunteer teaching art to children and adults at Tillamook County Art Association's gallery and Tillamook Bay Community College.
