Marshall Crossman

Beach Series #244

2023

Marshall Crossman creates lively paintings that ripple with energy and movement. In her studio in San Francisco, the American artist draws on the iconic work of the Bay Area Figurative painters in her pieces, abstracting her figures in rich swirls of colors and motion — there is a tangible sense of freedom and elation in Crossman’s depictions of swimmers splashing along the coast or a fisherman hoisting his catch in the air. 

While Crossman’s human subjects are somewhat obscured by motion or splashing sea water, she conveys a story as deep and meaningful as any sharp photograph could. Her “Pacifica” series of oil paintings sees a shift in focus away from active beachgoers to tranquil sunlit beaches and bluish-green waves making their way toward the shore. Crossman works in a stream-of-consciousness mode, applying paint and experimenting with colors as she goes until she reaches a final work that feels "fully resolved" to her.

Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Crossman graduated from Colorado State University in 1973 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. In 1977, she moved to San Francisco, where she fell in love with the art scene — and specifically the work of figurative painters. As she began to produce her own art, her modes and techniques matured and morphed. Originally working with oils on canvas, she moved into experimenting with watercolors in 2008 as an artist-in-residence at Foundation Obras in Portugal.

After living and working for 40 years in San Francisco, Crossman moved her family and her work to Alameda, California, in 2017. She continues to explore adding new dimensions to her paintings and producing inspiring art. Her work is held in many public and private collections in the United States and Europe.

Find original Marshall Crossman figurative paintings and other paintings on 1stDibs.