Meet Marjorie Sarnat | Fine Artist and Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marjorie Sarnat and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marjorie, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’ve always been an “idea” person” with a steady stream of concepts for paintings and products. Most ideas yearn to be born. So I devoted my professional life to creating applied and fine art. I enjoy experimenting with materials, textures, patterns, and color interactions. I’ve turned this natural fascination into a career creating paintings of cats, owls, musical themes, abstract imagery, and more. I have found commercial markets for my animals and I regularly sell my fine art paintings in local galleries. I am gratified that my love of art brings pleasure to others.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I describe my art as highly detailed. Some believe “Less is more” in art. My slogan is: “More is not enough.” I create series’ of artworks indulging my natural inclination toward patterns and textures. I believe every artist’s unique style emerges by honoring the age-old advice: “To thine own self be true.” The lesson I learned is that when I let my natural instincts guide me, I create successful artworks that many people enjoy.

I never abandon my personal expression—the love of color, texture, and detail. It runs through all my works, including my series of cats, owls, horses, nostalgia, abstracts, and more.

In 2015 Dover Publications issued Creative Cats, an adult coloring book containing my line art illustrations of stylized cats in different themed settings. It became a NY Times Bestseller, selling millions of copies worldwide. Since then, it’s led to publishing over 30 books with Dover in a relationship that’s still going strong today.

My infatuation with surface texture shows in my dimensional collage paintings. I have two major series: Hidden Treasures and Hidden Harmonies.

For dimensional collages I apply small “tiles,” over an underpainting on canvas. I make the tiles by painting onto many materials; each tile becomes a tiny abstract painting itself. When the tiles are in place on the canvas I add more brushstrokes of paint to unify the whole composition. The result is an impressionistic looking piece, with a bas relief surface.

When I started exhibiting the Hidden Treasures and Hidden Harmonies series of paintings in local galleries I was delighted to find that they sold well. I am pleased that showcasing the beauty of colors, patterns, and textures along with the appeal of the subject matter, is so well received.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My best friends have similar tastes to mine, so I would show them places to go shopping for creative inspiration, see beautiful imagery, and find wonderful things from other countries and other eras.

Here are some of my favorites:

• The Rose Bowl Swap Meet, to find nostalgic collectables and multitudes of intriguing things both vintage and new.

• Olvera Street, the birthplace of Los Angeles. There is music and Aztec and Mexican vendors offering handcrafted folk art such as pottery, artworks, and jewelry. We would enjoy a traditional Mexican meal there.

• A beautiful drive up Pacific Coast Highway to Santa Barbara. We would stroll the art fair along the beach where local artists and artisans exhibit their arts and crafts.

• Grand Central Market, to experience the culinary diversity of Los Angeles through 50 plus vendors offering delicious foods from around the world.

• The Getty Center, to see its extensive collection of pre-20th century European art and tour its gorgeous gardens.

• Union Station, to see one of the most beautiful train stations in the world. Built in 1939, it displays breathtaking Spanish Colonial and Art Deco architecture.

• The historic El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, to enjoy a live performance of music, dance, a play, a comedy routine, or other unique acts. At intermission, I could share my most recent artworks exhibited in the Judith Kaufman Gallery inside the theatre.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’ve had mentors and jobs that have influenced my painting, drawing, and design skills beyond my college education. I learned much about painting from artist Joe Abbrescia, when I was a teacher at his acclaimed Chicago art school. I deepened my understanding of color and pattern by working in the textile industry and learned product design working in the giftware industry.

I currently belong to an inspiring painting group mentored by artist Gary Soszynski. I also derive inspiration from my many colorist fans, who color my intricate adult coloring books. I’m blessed to be a permanent artist in The Judith Kaufman Gallery inside the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, CA. I’ve acquired a following of collectors there who motivate me to create art every day.

I dedicate my Shoutout to my partner and husband Marty Safir who is a brilliant graphic designer. We combine our talents to adapt my artwork to adult coloring books, jigsaw puzzles, crafts, giftware, and fine art prints on canvas.

Website: www.sarnatart.com

Instagram: instagram.com/MarjorieSarnat

Facebook: facebook.com/MarjorieSarnatArt

Other: www.marjoriesarnat.com – Design & Illustration website www.pinterest.com/MarjorieSarnat amazon.com/author/marjoriesarnat – all my books listed

Image Credits
Marty Safir