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Marion Cloaninger Innovative Art

Born in the USA, 1950

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Spirals, circles, abstract designs, textures and figures have always intrigued me.  

 

I use bright acrylic colors, make marks and use elements of collage to bring excitement to a work of art.  

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Reworking or starting fresh paintings with collage is a new approach for me.  I use found or printed papers on my Gelli-Plate and then collage them on the surface with nothing particular in mind.  Acrylic paint is used on top of the dried surface to promote unity, and then I draw the figure. 

 

I am always drawn to painting female figures that represent confidence and strength while being a little wonky.  Flowers, objects, or fascinators in their hair add a fun and soft element.  

 

My intention is to make art that brings a smile and happiness to the viewer. Exploring mixed media and beautiful colors is comparable to indulging in good dark chocolate.

Biography

Marion Cloaninger is a self-taught artist with over 30 years of experience. 

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  • She is best known for her colorful acrylic mixed-media paintings. 

  • Her favorite instructors are Tim Ford, who taught her how to draw what she sees, and the late Vae Hamilton, who introduced her to the delights of collage. 

  • Her process involves creating layers, applied in non-traditional ways, using acrylic paint, papers, and found collage elements.

  • She uses the Gelli-Plate to print her papers and then collages the surface to begin a painting.  

  • She has taught several classes and given numerous demos in collage and Gelli-Plate printing.

  • Her subjects range from vivid abstracts to semi-abstracts of landscapes, flowers, and figures.

  • Her approach is to explore, take risks and be open to the unexpected.

Galleries & Representation

Carlton Gallery, Foscoe, NC - represented since 2004

Florence Art School, West Jefferson, NC - represented since 2018

 

  • Out of the Blue art group (four women artists) - member

  • Ashe County Arts Council, West Jefferson, NC - member

  • Watauga County Arts Council, Boone, NC - member

  • Wilkes Art Gallery, Wilksboro, NC - member

  • Blowing Rock Art & History Museum, Blowing Rock NC - member

  • Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, Boone, NC - member

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Awards & Recognitions

2024

  • Second Place / The Winter Art Contest at Cheap Joe's Art Stuff / Professional Category

  • Honorable Mention / 45th Northwest Artist's Juried Exhibition at Wilkes Art Gallery

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2022

  • Honorable Mention / International Art Gallery Juried Online Exhibit - Abstracts

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2021

  • Second Place / Best Of The Blue Ridge Exhibition​​ at Ashe County Arts Council

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2020

  • Third Place / Best Of The Blue Ridge Exhibition​​ at Ashe County Arts Council

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​​​2018

  • First Place (Mixed Media Division) / 39th Northwest Artist’s Juried Exhibition at Wilkes Art Gallery​​

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2017

  • First Place (Mixed Media Division) / 38th Northwest Artist’s Juried Exhibition at Wilkes Art Gallery

  • Third Place / Petal Pushers at Blue Ridge ArtSpace

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2016

  • Second Place / NAL Exhibit at Wilkes Art Gallery

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2014

  • Honorable Mention / The Winter Art Contest at Cheap Joe's Art Stuff / Professional Category

  • Award / Blue Ridge Art Space Exhibition

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2012

  • Third Place / The Winter Art Contest at Cheap Joe's Art Stuff / Professional Category

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2011

  • First Place / The Winter Art Contest at Cheap Joe's Art Stuff / Professional Category

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2010

  • Published By We’moon / The Spirit Of We’moon 30 Years Anthology

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2009

  • First Place / Best Of The Blue Ridge Exhibition at Ashe County Arts Council

  • Third Place / High Country Watercolor Society Exhibition

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2004-2008

  • Published By We’moon (2008, 2005, 2004)

  • Published In All About Women (2007)

  • Third Place / High Country Watercolor Society Exhibition (2006)

  • Third Place / High Country Watercolor Society Exhibition at Lees-Mcrae College (2005)     

  • Honorable Mention / High Country Watercolor Society Exhibition (2005)​

 

Classes / Demos

Numerous classes and demos in:

  • Background Painting

  • Family Portrait and Abstract Collage 

  • Use of the Gelli-Plate

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Education

 Study with Tim Ford, Kate Worm, The Turchin Center and Vae Hamilton.

Exhibitions

Yearly Exhibitions

  • Miniatures Show / Ashe County Arts Council

  • Postcards From The Edge / Visual Aids Benefit in New York City, NY

  • Winter Art Contest / Cheap Joe's Art Stuff

 
Selected Exhibitions 2024-2010

 

2024

  • Flow: A Celebration of the Unexpected*** / Blowing Rock Art & History Museum

  • Out of the Blue Exhibit*** /  Florence Art School

  • Juried Exhibit** / Yadkin Arts Council

  • 45th Northwest Artist's Juried Exhibition* ** / Wilkes Art Gallery

  • Flora and Fauna Exhibit / Ashe County Arts Council

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2023

  • Juried Exhibit** / Yadkin Arts Council

  • 44th Northwest Artist's Juried Exhibition** / Wilkes Art Gallery

  • Summer Abundance Exhibit / Ashe County Arts Council

  • Best of the Blue Ridge** / Ashe County Arts Council

  • Out of the Blue "Flow-Open to the Unexpected" Exhibit*** / Milton-Rhodes Art Center, Winston-Salem, NC

  • Red Wall Exhibits / Yadkin Arts Council

  • 6” x 6” Exhibit / Watauga County Arts Council

  • Holiday Originals / Ashe Country Arts Council

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2022

  • 43rd Northwest Artist's Juried Exhibition** / Wilkes Art Gallery

  • All Creatures Great and Small / Florence Art School

  • Best of the Blue Ridge** / Ashe County Arts Council

  • High Country Scenes / King Street Art Collective

  • International Art Gallery Juried Online Exhibit - Abstracts* **

  • Juried Exhibit** / Yadkin Arts Council

  • Landscapes and Life Exhibit with Lauren Waterworth / King Street Art Collective

  • Out of the Blue Exhibit*** / Jones House Cultural Center

  • Roots of Love / Ashe County Arts Council

  • Yes*** / Wilkes Art Gallery

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2021

  • 42nd Northwest Artist's Juried Exhibition** / Wilkes Art Gallery

  • 6” x 6” Exhibit / Watauga County Arts Council

  • Best of the Blue Ridge* ** / Ashe County Arts Council

  • Exhibit with Lauren Waterworth / Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center at Watauga Medical Center

  • Flora / Florence Art School

  • For the Love of Art / Blue Ridge ArtSpace

  • Holiday Originals / Ashe Country Arts Council

  • Kalidoscope / Ashe County Arts Council

  • Random / Ashe County Arts Council

  • Stay at Home / Ashe County Arts Council

  • Yes*** / Yadkin Arts Council

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2020

  • 41st Northwest Artist's Juried Exhibition** / Wilkes Art Gallery

  • Anything Goes / Ashe County Arts Council​

  • Bakers Dozen International Collage Exchange / International Museum of Collage (IMAC) 

  • Best of the Blue Ridge* ** / Ashe County Arts Council

  • Juried Exhibit** / Yadkin Arts Council

  • Suffrage Exhibit / Hickory Art Museum

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2019

  • 40th Northwest Artist's Juried Exhibition** / Wilkes Art Gallery

  • Anything Goes / Ashe County Arts Council​

  • April Abstracts / Florence Art School

  • Artist in Residence / Edgewood Cottage

  • Drawing the Line / Florence Art School

  • Faces / Blue Ridge ArtSpace

  • Hanging Spotlight / Blue Ridge ArtSpace

  • Juried Exhibit** / Yadkin Arts Council

  • Self-portraits and Fancies / Ashe County Public Library

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2018

  • 39th Northwest Artist's Juried Exhibition* ** / Wilkes Art Gallery

  • Best of the Blue Ridge** / Ashe County Arts Council

  • Birds, Blossoms, and Bloomin' Art / Ashe County Arts Council

  • Community Artists Exhibit / Turchin Center for the Visual Arts

  • Glue it Down / Watauga County Arts Council

  • Out of the Blue*** / Appalachian Regional Healthcare System Cancer Center

  • Out of the Blue*** / Florence Art School

 

2017

  • 38th Northwest Artist’s Juried Exhibition* ** / Wilkes Art Gallery

  • 7th Annual Tony Show Juried Exhibition** / Yadkin Arts Council  

  • Anything Goes*** / Blue Ridge ArtSpace

  • Best of the Blue Ridge** / Ashe County Arts Council

  • Drawing Exhibition / Blue Ridge ArtSpace

  • Go Figure Solo Show / Ashe County Library

  • Happenstance / Florence Art School

  • Out of the Blue*** / Ashe County Arts Council

  • Trash to Treasures Workshop Exhibit / Turchin Center for the Visual Arts

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2016

  • Best of the Blue Ridge** / Ashe County Arts Council

  • Doors and Windows Exhibition / Ashe County Arts Council

  • Exhibition / Nth Gallery

  • Forest Fantasy Exhibition / Ashe County Arts Council

  • Go Figure Solo Show / Blue Ridge ArtSpace

  • NAL Exhibit* ** / Wilkes Art Gallery

 

2015

  • Best of the Blue Ridge** / Ashe County Arts Council

  • Out of the Blue*** / Blowing Rock Art & History Museum

  • Textures Exhibition / Ashe County Arts Council

 

2014

  • Abstract Obsession Solo Show / Blue Ridge ArtSpace

  • Best of the Blue Ridge** / Ashe County Arts Council

  • Reflections Exhibition / Blue Ridge ArtSpace

  • Second Time Around Exhibition / Ashe County Arts Council

  • Size Matters Exhibition* / Blue Ridge ArtSpace

  • Still Life Exhibition / Ashe County Arts Council

 

2013   

  • Best of the Blue Ridge** / Ashe County Arts Council

  • Introspection / Ashe County Arts Council

 

2012   

  • Anything Under The Sun Exhibition / Ashe County Arts Council

  • It’s Not What You Think Exhibition / Ashe County Arts Council

 

2011   

  • Best of the Blue Ridge** / Ashe County Arts Council

 

2010   

  • Along The Parkway Exhibition / Ashe County Arts Council

  • Best of the Blue Ridge** / Ashe County Arts Council

  • I Hear Music Exhibition / Ashe County Arts Council

 

 

View archived shows 2001-2009 (PDF 17.1KB)

 

*Award Received / **Juried Exhibition / ***Out of the Blue Group Show

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