Marlene Llanes

The Beauty of a Bell Pepper, Painting, Oil on Canvas

2023

Marlene Llanes is a surreal artist who paints intriguing images that evoke a sense of peace. By creating unusual combinations of everyday objects with natural elements, Marlene’s works take the viewer to a grounded fantasy. Her images form meanings for the viewer without being forced upon them. Through the use of light and shadows Marlene creates a sense of depth that draws the viewer into a peaceful dreamlike scene. Her paintings can be very colorful but through the use of contrast Marlene brings simplicity and order. Marlene has shown her work in numerous exhibits in Texas, Louisiana, and Mexico. She is currently showing one of her pieces at the prestigious People’s Gallery at Austin City Hall, which takes place every year. Two of her works also got accepted at the previous People’s Gallery. Three of her works are part of permanent public collections. One at the UHCL Pearland Campus and another one at the Savannah College of Art and Design. In 2012 she was invited to Valloria, Italy to paint one of their doors for their Outdoor Museum of the Painted Doors. Marlene wrote and illustrated the children's book "Paty y los Payasos”, published in 2002 by Los Libros de El Nacional in Venezuela. Besides working on her surreal paintings Marlene has also worked as a graphic designer and illustrator for newspapers, printing companies, advertising agencies, and publishing companies. Marlene is also passionate about teaching. She has taught college at the Art Institute of Austin and children at Art Plus Academy as well as private lessons to adults. In 1997 Marlene graduated as a graphic designer from Universidad Vasco de Quiroga in Morelia, Mexico. In 1998 Marlene was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study illustration in the USA. She finished her master's degree in Fine Arts (Illustration) at the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2000. Marlene was born in Morelia, Mexico. She currently lives in Austin, TX. She is a proud dual citizen.