Statement

Much of my youth was spent swimming laps in the pool, body surfing and shelling on the coast of Florida. The salt and sand textures of my memories have inspired artwork that combines physical, intellectual and emotional responses to these moments. The process of art making is first about an abstract memory or feeling, and the painting begins as a gestural, colorful exploration. As the painting develops, so does the representation of my conscious thoughts, personal symbols and storytelling metaphors. A combination of plaster, acrylic and oil paints, ink and watercolor, sewn and shredded fragments, and cold wax is worked on paper, wood, and canvas. I combine mediums to create a symbolic history and somatic context for my work.

Undergraduate and master’s degree studies in art and psychology have been an anchor for my creative thinking. I was a professional art therapist for health and academic institutions for 20 years during which time I was also painting my own narratives, and commissions for individuals and design firms. Afterward, my participation in independent art workshops at prestigious institutions in New York and North Carolina further inspire my work.

Early influences in my use of color, and pattern include Bonnard, Morandi, Morris, and Cezanne. I am inspired by the drawings and paintings of Diebenkorn, Thibauld, and Slonem. Each artist’s mastery of color, atmosphere, line, and pattern have influenced my current exploration of themes.

I am currently developing ideas that merge personal and professional influences, as I examine new themes of abstract and figurative painting with a focus on current feminist issues, the perception of women in the 21st century, and a collective cultural consciousness.

Bio

Marti Koehler creates art that is an intuitive combination of texture and story. She describes her personal inspirations, amusement, anxiety and wonder about the human condition through her art. To gain perspective, she teaches art for healing workshops annually, and is encouraged by the people she is privileged to meet.

The artist grew up in Naples, Florida in the 1970’s. Her paintings and mixed media pieces are inspired by younger days when she grew crispy in the sun and smelled of chlorine and salt into the balmy evenings. Her art comes from these memories, textures, and sensations.

Marti studied in New Orleans and focused on Psychology as a major and minored in Art at Loyola University. Marti truly found her people when she combined art with psychology for a Master’s Degree in Art Education and Art Therapy. After school, she worked as an Art Therapist and an Art teacher in Tallahassee, Naples, and Los Angeles. Over this 20 year period, she was able to help many people tell their stories through the making of art. Marti continued her education at the New York Studio School in New York City, and studied drawing and painting the figure with Graham Nickson, Susanna Coffey and Linda Darling. At the Penland School of Crafts in Penland, NC, Marti practiced new techniques of mixing mediums and textures with Catherine Gregory and Marguerite Jay Gignoux.

Her paintings are in private and corporate collections throughout Florida, the United States and Europe. Marti lives in Naples, Florida with her son and husband, artist Ed Koehler.
martikoehlerart.com