Marjorie Burgan

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

I have been a Montana resident since 1971, married to a Montanan born & raised in Helena. We agree that Montana is the best place to live and raise a family - and to inspire one to be physically active & creative!

In 1983, after my children were grown, I took a watercolor class from Hazel Foley in Missoula and I began painting watercolors sporadically. The girls had all taken watercolor classes from her and it looked like so much fun whenever I picked them up from her classes, that I had to try too! Having a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Minnesota in Home Economics Education - I found that my creativity was mostly in the kitchen or at the sewing machine!

After moving to Polson in 1999, I found the Sandpiper Art Gallery watercolorists and began painting more regularly with them - and taking workshops and classes.

In 2008, I became a "Signature Member" of the Montana Watercolor Society - having been adjudicated into 3 of their Watermedia Shows - thereby allowing me to put "MTWS" after my signature on paintings!!

I enjoy the fluidity and movement of watercolor painting. What's fascinating to me is seeing the colors move and intermix on the paper and the special effects that happen when another element is added. I particularly enjoy the new freedom that YUPO and Tygerrag papers & Clayboard surfaces allow. Reproducing my paintings into notecards also is very satisfying.

Watercolor painting, classes, workshops and experimentation will be lifelong activities.

Marjorie L.C. Burgan
Polson, Montana