about | mcartist

Marion Cloaninger Innovative Art

Born in the USA, 1950

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.

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.

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

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
Honorable Mention / Best Of The Blue Ridge Exhibition at Ashe County Arts Council

2022

Honorable Mention / International Art Gallery Juried Online Exhibit - Abstracts

2021

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

2020

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

2018

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

2017

First Place (Mixed Media Division) / 38th Northwest Artist’s Juried Exhibition at Wilkes Art Gallery
Third Place / Petal Pushers at Blue Ridge ArtSpace

2016

Second Place / NAL Exhibit at Wilkes Art Gallery

2014

Honorable Mention / The Winter Art Contest at Cheap Joe's Art Stuff / Professional Category
Award / Blue Ridge Art Space Exhibition

2012

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

2011

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

2010

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

2009

First Place / Best Of The Blue Ridge Exhibition at Ashe County Arts Council
Third Place / High Country Watercolor Society Exhibition

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

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 2025-2010

2025

Art of Resilience / Florence Art School

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
Best of the Blue Ridge* ** / Ashe County Arts Council
Mountain Mystique Juried Exhibit** / Florence Art School

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

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

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

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

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

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

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