PRESS PAGE
July 2010: "Altered" show article/review featured on Adobe Airstream with images of "Angela" and gallery, July 2010.
June 2010: "Altered" show reviewed by Michael Paglia of the Westword, with image of "Candice II" June 30th.
June 2010: "Altered" show featured in the "Night & Day" section of the Westword, with image of "Candice" June 4th.
June 2010: Featured guest on the Untitled Art Show, June 2nd.
April 2010: The painting “Michelle" featured on the cover of MetroMode Magazine, with a feature article on the artist.
February
2010: The painting
“Jordan II” featured on the 11am channel 7 live in-studio TV newscast (with
Bertha Lynn)
February
2010: The
paintings “Chris”, “Jordan” and “Michelle” featured on the 7pm
Channel 2 live TV newscast and Monday morning news. (with Chris Parente)
January 2010: Painting "Caley Revisited" featured in the "pulse" section of Art Ltd. Magazine.
December 2009: Painting "Michelle" featured in the "Night and Day" section of Westword Magazine, in conjunction with the Best of the Arts District show, Friday December 18th, 2009.
August 2009: Painting
of Chris Parente featured on the cover of OUT FRONT Magazine (also a second
painting image accompanies the article inside) 
http://www.outfrontcolorado.com
July 2009: On-air live interview with Channel 7's Richard Ortner, Filmed July 4, 2009, on site at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival
July 2009: On-air live interview with Channel 2's Chris Parente, Filmed July 3, 2009, on site at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival
June 2009: Painting of Chris Parente featured on the "Everyday" Television show, Fox Channel 13
April 2009: "Skin Deep" magazine (UK) featured 5 page article, May issue. On the newsstands April 7th, 2009. CLICK HERE
TV shot with Channel 2's Chris Parente (towards end of first segment) http://www.2thedeuce.com/news/parente/ go to the section titled "Chris Parente goes to First Friday"
February 2009: Article in the spring edition of Denver Syntax. www.denversyntax.com
July 2008: On-air live interview Channel 2, Filmed July 4, 2008, on site at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival
May 2008: On-air interview CHERRY CREEK ARTS FESTIVAL July 4, 5 & 6
June 2007: Article in 303 Magazine
:: Something of a Pickle ::
Words:
Laura Standley, Images: Diaz/Weber Photography
There’s
an oversized cheetah-print chair, paintings of hands, tattoo needles and a
little dog yapping at me. I’ve entered the realm of Marie Vlasic’s Flying
Pickle Studio, and despite the opinion of Emma, her pug, or Charlie, her English
sheepdog, I’m immediately at ease in this space. Marie is vibrant and fun, yet
truly serious about her art. And I couldn’t have met her at a better time in
her life. The past year has been a sort of renaissance for her.
Her
studio is mostly filled with perfectly identifiable images of people being
tattooed, sitting at a bar, posing nude or making a face. She tends toward
figure painting, which makes her stand apart from her contemporaries. One of my
favorite pieces is a painting of a tattoo needle on a silver tray, which soon
revealed the obscured reflection of a man’s face hovering above it.
Marie
uses her personal photography to capture a scene or a bizarre expression, but
she doesn’t take a photo realistic approach to the canvas. She rolls her eyes
slightly as she tells me her style could be labeled as impressionistic realism.
Though no level of detail is ignored and her work is clearly lifelike, she
emphasizes unusual angles, natural lighting and a softer feel than those
attempting to paint as clearly as a photo. Plus, she knows her subjects,
allowing for a higher level of expression.
Her
revival began two years ago when she finally became a full-time artist. “I may
be broke, but you’ve got to follow your bliss,” she said. And that’s what
she did. She now works in her ideal location on Ninth and Santa Fe streets in a
building with a series of studios and plenty of traffic. “I love the
energy,” she said, both of her surroundings and the artists that share the
same address.
Aside
from her location, Marie also gains exposure through eBay. She admits that most
of the art for purchase on eBay is “primitive,” but she counts herself among
the 30 or so exceptions. Marie is a market-aware artist, but she says, “I have
to like what I’m doing.” Thus, she takes risks (as in her silly, multimedia
sculptures of food), but also supplies her followers with what they want (nudes,
for example). Her most interesting work is shown through her absolute
fascination with modern culture
–
her more scene-based and un-posed work.
Further
solidifying her rebirth is her recent invitation to be part of the Cherry Creek
Arts Festival in July. After applying and being rejected for six years from this
prestigious, extremely selective show, she has finally been accepted. “It was
such a shock,” she said, thinking “this has got to be a mistake.” But the
more it sinks in, it seems the more Marie realizes this is an honor and
opportunity that she has undoubtedly earned.
Marie
attributes part of her success to a change in mind-set that has emerged over the
past year. For instance, she gave herself voice lessons for her last birthday
and within a few months became the lead vocal for the rock band File 13. “Life
is about doing, getting into it,” she said. She has finally let go of the
inhibition that so many of us submit to when deciding whether or not to realize
a dream. And File 13 happens to be one of the only reasons she allows herself a
break from her studio.
As
she lovingly coos over her adopted pug, tattoos are revealed on each of her
wrists. They are equally as dainty and soft as they are edgy and harsh. In
Hebrew they stand for “heal the earth” and “intention.” The former
reminds her to stay humble and help those around her, while the latter reminds
her to put the passion behind her work. Though her work showcases tattoos, these
two installments are her first pieces of body art. It seems Marie has finally
stopped thinking about the type of person she wants to be, and is now allowing
herself to be that person – and her art is all the better for it.
Visit
Marie at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival July 6-8 at Third Avenue and St. Paul
Street in booth #51.
303-995-7914
www.MarieVlasic.com, www.myspace.com/flyingpicklegirl
303 MAGAZINE / JUNE