Wendy Marshall
To me, art is about capturing a moment and the unexpected beauty in imperfection. Watercolor’s randomness suits that purpose.
Message
Wendy Marshall’s artistic journey began at 5 years old with a box of crayons and small scraps of paper. Her first masterpieces were picture books that she sold to her parents for $0.05 each.
Wendy’s mother was a skilled artist herself and served as a guide and inspiration throughout Wendy’s artistic journey. While her mother experimented with different media before discovering her passion for watercolor, it was watercolor that instantly resonated with Wendy. Together they attended workshops and captured on paper the beauty of the Sierras while on backpack trips. One of their favorite workshops was a week spent in Yosemite Valley, where they painted its awe-inspiring beauty.
Growing up in California, nature was a big part of Wendy’s life. Her family owned a cabin in Yosemite, where she spent every summer of her youth. Connection with the natural world continues to inspire her. Whether she’s capturing the play of light, shapes, and color in her floral and landscape paintings or exploring new vistas after her move to Pennsylvania, she’s always seeking to convey the beauty she sees in the world around her.
Wendy has taken workshops from some of the finest artists in the business, including Jane Burnham (1926-2016), Stephen Quiller, John Salminen, Dale Laitinen, and Mike E. Bailey (1943-2025). She has exhibited her work in member shows for organizations such as the Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society and the Society of Watercolor Artists, and she is an associate member of several other watercolor societies.
Statement
My paintings are shaped by the landscapes of my past and the unpredictability of my medium. Childhood summers at my family’s cabin in Yosemite instilled in me a deep love of nature, which continues to inspire my work
I paint impressionistically, drawn more to capturing the essence of a subject than to rendering it with precision. I am especially drawn to landscapes, flowers, and the backs of people—figures caught in a moment, their stories left to the imagination.
Watercolor is my chosen medium, in part because of its inherent randomness. I love the way water moves pigment, creating unexpected blends and shapes that I could never plan.
Light, shapes, and color fascinate me. I strive to capture the moment of wonder that they ignite in me, using bold colors, dynamic compositions, and contrasts that highlight the play of light.
While nature is my primary subject, I have also painted pet portraits when an animal’s personality and story spoke to me. Ginger, gazing with love and anticipation, and Calliope, perched on my son’s keyboard as he works—these are moments I cherish. Painting them allows me to keep their stories alive.
Ultimately, my art is about emotion, movement, and the unexpected beauty in imperfection. I embrace the fluidity of watercolor, the surprises it brings, and the ever-changing inspirations of the world around me.