50 Artists: 50 Years of Art in Springfield: Marjorie Sutton: Celebrating life in her realistic paintings

50 Artists: 50 Years of Art in Springfield
Celebrating arts and culture in our community

Featured in The Springfield Beacon (February 13, 2008)

By Todd Peterson
Springfield Beacon

Marjorie Sutton
Celebrating life in her realistic paintings

Marjorie Sutton is an energetic woman who loves life and has lots of painting she wants to do. At the age of 83, she feels "young and raring to go on the fast track" to create more paintings that bring happiness to the people who see them.

Marjorie has painted with oils for over 30 years and plans to learn acrylic painting this year. "Oils take so long to dry and I'd like to begin using acrylics which dry faster," she says. "I have so many things I'd like to paint and you never know how long you have left in this life."

Her first oil painting was of an Indian girl. She painted it from a black and white photograph and the colors just "came to her". Marjorie sold the painting to a lady who had it hanging on her wall for over 20 years. Then Marjorie, knowing that her mother had been upset that she had ever sold it, bought it back. What a surprise it was when her mother unwrapped the painting her daughter had done so many years before.

Marjorie likes her paintings to be "as near to real life as possible." She wants to share reality as she sees it and hopes that what she paints will be pleasing to others.

Anyone who looks into the eyes of the animals and people Marjorie Sutton paints will experience the delightful reality she sees (and celebrates) in her life.

In her own words:

Inspiration To Begin: "As a very young child, I was able to draw and my teachers from first grade on encouraged me to continue doing art. Many of my paintings are inspired by the personalities of animals ... their winsome look thrills me and I want to capture it so others can see it in my paintings. I love seeing the little faces of animals!"

Important Mentors: "Clem Hall with Disney Studios in Burbank was a mentor and so was Walt Tyler, who painted for Cecil B. DeMille at MGM. They became close personal friends. And I love Norman Rockwell. His paintings tell such meaningful stories."

Value of Art in Her Life: "I enjoy the camaraderie with other artists and creative people. And I feel so free when I'm painting. I can share with others and experience myself on a level much deeper than on the surface. I hope people will feel happy when they see my paintings and enjoy whatever they see in them."

Her Artist's Legacy: "I hope my children and grandchildren will say 'Mummer' (what they all call me) used her God-given talents to create happiness in her paintings. My legacy as an artist will be in my paintings hanging on the walls of family members and the walls of others who have purchased my paintings."

"Awesome Ocelot" by Marjorie Sutton

"My Precious Dee Dee" by Marjorie Sutton

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About The Artist

Birthplace: Burbank, California

Arts Education: Self-taught and classes at Saddleback College and Santa Monica College in California.

Media of Choice: Oil Painting

Favorite Place to Do Art: At home in her studio

Favorite Subjects To Paint: Animals, especially cats; and people

Arts Organizations: Emerald Empire Arts Association, Maude Kerns Art Center

Current Show: "Happiness is a Thing Called Painting" at the Emerald Art Center (through March 1)
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All art images and photos of the art are copyright of the artist.