Meet Marilyn Bean | Contemporary Abstract Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marilyn Bean and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marilyn, career-wise, where do you want to be in the end?
My end goal is for people to connect with and be affected by my art. Painting is something I feel called to do and my ultimate objective is for my work to be well received by others.

Professionally, I plan to be represented by fine art galleries which align with my work aesthetic and values, develop relationships with collectors, have my work published, establish partnerships with interior designers, and participate in art residencies.

I hope to paint almost every day for the rest of my life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a contemporary abstract painter. I am drawn to neutrals and mid century design.

I currently work primarily with acrylics on canvas. My process consists of many layers of paint; creating and then abandoning multiple versions of each painting. These layers create organic texture and uninhibited marks throughout the surface.

I was actually trained as a Sociologist and this background informs the meaning behind my work. I examine the self and am interested in how we perceive ourselves and how we perform in front of others. My paintings explore concepts such as the balance between fluidity and containment, fragmentation, dark and light, and tension.

I’m still at the beginning of my career. I started painting in January of 2023 and was accepted into my first gallery exhibition in November of 2023. I will be applying to galleries and participating in an artist residency in 2024. I’m excited to establish new relationships and to see my work travel across the world.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d take my friend to Intentional Yoga in Portage for a hot Vinyasa class and to the Kalamazoo Nature Center for some of the best hiking in the area. In downtown Kalamazoo I’d take them to visit Factory Coffee, the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, the State Theatre, and some of the many small local restaurants on the Kalamazoo Mall.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would not be on the path to establishing myself as an artist if not for my mother and my son. My mom is allowing us to live as an intergenerational household while I grow my career. Without her support, I’m not sure it would be possible.

My son being born changed the trajectory of my life and everything I do is ultimately for him.

Website: https://marilynbean.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marilynannbean/

Image Credits
(all taken by me)