Evan Stuart Marshall, New York City Underground (Layers Series), 2019, mixed media on panel, 20 in x 20 in

Evan Stuart Marshall: Artist Statement

My abstract original works have been repeatedly dubbed "happy art," and that makes me happy because that's the emotion I try to evoke in my artwork. I want my collectors to feel good, get a lift, whenever they walk past one of my paintings.

I work on several pieces at once. I enjoy exploring classic abstract compositions such as cruciform and the "Z," and work a lot of texture into my paintings. I am constantly experimenting with various materials to achieve new and different textures in my work. Recently I've been using shelf liner (that rubber, waffle-patterned stuff), coffee sleeves, bubble wrap, Styrofoam, sponges, knives, razorblades, netting, paper doilies—anything to get the effects I'm after. I scrape, blot, stencil, stamp, scratch, gouge and use my fingers a lot. My latest experiment is pressing Styrofoam plates into wet paint, letting the paint half-dry, and then tearing the plate and some of the paint away for a "grunge" effect.

I am inspired by art I love. If I see a design, texture, shape or color combination that appeals to me, I make a mental note, go back to my studio and see what kind of twist I can give it. In other words, I use a tiny piece I loved in the art and build my piece around it, making it mine. Whenever I go to an art museum or gallery, I leave full of ideas I want to play with.

I choose colors that "make my eyes happy"—it's the only way I can describe it. I don't stop working on a painting until it excites me the way I want it to excite the viewer.

The most invigorating aspect of creating a painting is setting something down on that blank surface and seeing where it takes me. I paint intuitively and iteratively, making a mark or shape, considering what I've got, making another mark or shape, and so on. I never know what I'll end up with. I continue this process until the painting excites me...and I always know the exact moment to stop.

I have always created art. As a child, I made intricate decorated marble-roll "machines" for my cousins. In junior high school I was known for creating "psychedelic" posters (it was 1969!) for my friends, for a dollar a piece. I took art lessons on and off throughout my childhood, and of course my favorite subject in school was always art.

I undertook my art career in earnest about 25 years ago. I began with landscape and still life, felt something was missing, tried my hand at abstract art—and I was hooked!

It gives me enormous satisfaction to know one of my pieces is bringing someone pleasure. I am extremely grateful for the support of the people who collect my work and the galleries that show it. It's a dream come true to be able to do what you love and have other people connect with it.