Marla Thirsk

Painter

Ucluelet BC

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Bio

"I'm never without a sketchbook at hand, so I am constantly drawing and noting ideas or stories for my paintings. Sometimes these drawings are left in the sketchbook and other times they develop into fully realized images. My father often said that I must have been born with a paintbrush in my hand because I was creating art from a very young age."   - Marla Thirsk

Marla did not attend a formal art school. She is self taught, reading books and figuring out how to 'do it' on her own; she feels this has given her an original approach.

Marla is first and foremost influenced by everything she sees, feels and experiences. She is strongly drawn to the Graphic Novel genre, particularly the work of Dave Mckean and James Jean. Marla is also drawn to the art of Georgia O'Keeffe, Frida Kahlo and Canadian artists Prudence Hayward and Tamara Lempicka. Marla is a huge fan of science fiction.

Artist Statement

"I like to unobtrusively watch people in coffee shops or informal gatherings; their gestures inspire me. I am fascinated by how mythology, both biblical and folkloric, is still applicable to everyday situations."