Artwork copyright Marlene Bauer. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Ruby, 1997

Marlene Bauer
(American, born 1950)

Location: Lakewood Elementary, Marysville

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Ruby is part of artist Marlene Bauer’s series of small abstract paintings. These works focus on themes of family life and scenes from her garden. She notes, “Thin washes combined with opaque paint, often with nontraditional objects, are layered and woven with reference to natural forms that merge and disappear in the surface. The paint is worked on and off the surface of the board until the image is tentatively locked in time, like a few still moments in the morning before the household erupts into activity with interruptions, crises and solutions. I work to symbolize my respect and acknowledgment of the complex state of home life and to find tile balance of order and calm through motion and chaos.”

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Lakewood School District.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Northwest artist Marlene Bauer creates paintings that explore color relationships and our perception of abstract and figurative forms.
Bauer received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, Oregon. She has taught at Marylhurst College and Portland State University (both in Oregon), among other institutions.