BIOGRAPHY​

 

Evan Stuart Marshall is an award-winning mixed-media abstract artist known for his quirky, whimsical paintings. Born in Boston and raised in Sharon, Massachusetts, he lives and works in Roseland, New Jersey.

 

Largely self-taught, Evan has received numerous awards for his work. His paintings have been featured in many exhibitions, both solo and group, and are held in many private collections around the world. His artwork is carried by major online retailers including 1stDibs, Amazon, Artsy, Better Homes & Gardens, Homesquare, Houzz, Kmart, Kroger, Lowes, Made and Curated, Perigold, Pier 1, Sears, Walmart, Wayfair and Zimlay.​

 

One of Evan’s paintings was recently selected by the renowned curator and art consultant Paige Powell (once a member of Andy Warhol’s Factory, and at one time the girlfriend of Jean-Michel Basquiat) for inclusion in the permanent art collection of the new MC Hotel in Montclair, New Jersey.

 

The Caldwell (NJ) News wrote of Evan's work: "Marshall is an award-winning artist known for his vivid abstract and mixed media work." And fellow artist Charles H Carver said: "I love your work. Instead of Klee’s 'take a line for a walk,' you have a talk with color!"​

 

Evan has been making things with his hands his entire life. As a young child, he created comic books and marble-roll “machines” for his cousins. In junior high school, he painted “psychedelic” posters for his friends. As an adult, he experimented with landscape, still life and nature art before discovering his true passion: abstract art!Evan’s collectors call his art “happy art,” which is true: it reflects his optimism about life and our ability to find joy anywhere. He expresses these feelings using colors that are vividly bright—sometimes even fluorescent—and combine in unexpected ways.

 

Evan combines a great variety of media—whatever will give him the effect he’s after: acrylic paint, oil paint, cold wax, markers, collage, graphite, gouache, pastels, found objects, and mark-making tools from nails to plastic wrap to coffee-cup sleeves. His paintings consist of many layers, so that various shapes and colors shine through the surface for added detail and interest. Evan’s quirky, whimsical style adds a unique touch to any décor.​

 

“I live in rural New Jersey not far from New York City, so I draw my inspiration from the energy of the city and the tranquility of the country.”​​

 

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ARTIST STATEMENT​

 

My abstract original works have been repeatedly dubbed "happy art," which 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. I scrape, blot, stencil, stamp, scratch, gouge and use my fingers a lot.

 

I am inspired by pieces of 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 my own style. Whenever I go to an art museum or gallery, I leave full of exciting 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.​​

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Summary CV

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Current Location
Roseland, New Jersey

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Education

Self-taught artist specializing in mixed-media abstract works.

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Exhibitions

• Solo Exhibitions: Gallery at Two South Willow, Montclair, NJ (2024); Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown, NJ (2023); Harmony Brookside Gifts & Gallery, Mendham, NJ (2023), and more.

• Group Exhibitions: New Jersey Art Association, Art Upstairs Gallery, Morristown, NJ (2024); Studio Montclair, Montclair, NJ (multiple years); Essex County Senior Art Show (multiple awards), and more.

 

Awards

• Award of Excellence, Livingston Arts Association (2024)

• Second Prize, New Jersey Senior Citizen Art Show (2022)

• WEAA Best in Category – Photo/Abstract (2021)

 

Collections

• MC Hotel, Montclair, NJ

• South Standard Apartments, Boston, MA

• Private collections in the U.S., Germany, Switzerland, and Spain

 

Publications as Author

• Building Your Art Business: Marketing, Sales, and Strategies for Succsss

• Abstract Art Revolution: Creative Strategies for Innovative Spaces

• Collecting Abstract Art on a Budget: Create a Collection You Love Without Breaking the Bank

 

Teaching Experience

• Mixed-Media Abstracts Instructor, Livingston Arts Association (2021–2024)

• Mixed-Media Workshop, West Essex Art Association (2022)

 

Gallery Affiliations

• Saatchi Art (Los Angeles, CA)

• TurningArt (Boston, MA)

 

Professional Affiliations

• Jersey Artist Registry

• West Essex Art Association (Membership and Communications)

 

Media Coverage

• Featured in My Paper Online and the Livingston Public Library Blog

• Interview, WMBC-TV, Cedar Grove, NJ

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Download a PDF of Evan's complete CV.