Marlene completed her undergraduate degree in Fine Arts at Hunter College, while also working at the New York School of Painting and Sculpture, and selling her own fine art. She then earned a Master of Fine Arts at City College, and became a recipient of multiple merit-based grants. Upon completing graduate school, Marlene’s final project was noticed by Jeff Koons, who offered her a job as a painter. She worked for Koons for 13 years, where she learned to color match, paint with intense precision, and work on massive-scale projects. This position prepared her for her career and helped her become the skilled artist and technical painter that she is today.
1) What inspired you to pursue a career in fine art?
I was a born visual artist. I remember always looking at things around me, mesmerized at how things are the way they were, or were the way they are. By the age of five, I was in heated artistic discussions with school mates with cries of frustration like “but, but…can’t you see!” I particularly loved to draw portraits of friends in high school thus the acquired nickname “Marlene The Artist, or just plain ‘Artist.” Before using paint as a medium, Marlene mastered form and line with pencil. She now excels in decorative painting, including mural work, trompe-l’œil, in-painting, gilding, glazing, and color matching.
2) What advice can you offer to the next generation of artists and craftspeople with the knowledge and expertise you have learned on the job?
Marlene’s contribution to the industry as a whole began when she found EverGreene and the world of restoration in June 2019. She realized that through her love of art and close attention to detail, she could make a real impact in the work, and save iconic works of art and architecture for the next generation to enjoy. “Who am I to advise anyone but to follow your bliss. That is, trust yourself in all things and follow your own dreams. Said so often, it’s now a cliché and annoying to hear… but I’m saying it!”
3) What is your favorite EverGreene project?
Marlene has had the opportunity to travel and work on several remarkable projects during her time at EverGreene. The Onondaga County Court House in Syracuse was my first onsite job. That got her hooked on traveling to different sites! She has been part of the teams on projects across the country, including: St. Vincent de Paul in Philadelphia; Ballantine House in Newark; the Shubert Booth Theatre on Broadway, Casa Italiana at Columbia University; the Chicago Cultural Center; The Players Club in NYC; Philodemic Hall at Georgetown University; and gilding at St. Thomas More Cathedral in VA.
Marlene is currently working at adaptive-reuse project for Milken Institute in D.C. near the White House. “My favorite project is usually whatever the current job is, because I’m actively being challenged and in the state of expectation!”
Thank you for sharing with us Marlene!
