Colleen Mars
Biography
Colleen Mars is an ever-evolving visual artist based
in Pittsburgh, PA. Working in various media, she is most commonly drawn to
photography, painting, and drawing. Recently, she has been compelled to create
sculptural and installation works that exaggerate the nuances of everyday
situations. Colleen is inspired by psychedelic/pop art, feminism, fashion,
existentialism, and dark romanticism. Although many of her works contain
humorous elements, Colleen also creates more serious artwork. A more somber
side of the emotional spectrum is explored in her work A Light That Never Goes
Out. This photobook is a reflection on grief after an unexpected loss. Colleen
follows her artistic instincts to process life events and create alternate
universes for herself to live in. Sometimes she would rather exist in one of
her paintings or photographs than in reality. She finds joy in the process of
making and often creates surreal environments in her work.
Artist Statement
During the pandemic, I had a lot of trouble creating
artwork. In such a complex, isolating time, I had no inspiration or motivation
to make anything for nearly seven months. As a senior studio art major, this
virtual year was not an ideal time for me to create new bodies of work.
Eventually, I began to fear the blankness of a canvas. I knew I needed to take
the leap and begin making things again. So, I bought a new set of paint markers
and just started to draw. I set no rules for myself, and the outcome didn’t
matter. I used small, 4” x 4” canvas panels to make the act of “arting” less intimidating.
These efforts resulted in this series of tiny worlds filled with colorful
characters: my project, Things That Scare Me. Some of these drawings are
humorous, but they draw directly from some of my greatest anxieties. Once I
found my creative voice again, I realized a need to make art that explored
playful spontaneity and surreal encounters, exposing the nuances of human
emotion. Although I am particularly drawn to bright colors and bold designs in
my work, I may also use softer tones depending on the context. My resulting
efforts address joy and loss, rage and anxiety, and the fragile boundaries
between these emotions.
Gallery
