Marilyn Gandré

Realist/Impressionist

Marilyn Gandré is known for her exquisite paintings. Trained as an academic realist and impressionist, she employs the classical methods of the old masters to create works of art that incorporate the visual aspects of realism, soft edges and warm earth tones. Surrounded by dynamic mountain scenery, Gandré works in her Rocky Mountain studio where she is near the things she loves most; painting, sculpting, and family. Gandré's paintings are created through a hands-on process of thorough research, photographing models in period costumes created by Gandré, and preliminary drawings and paintings. Although Marilyn works in all mediums, her favorite medium is oil. Her favorite subjects are religious art and period settings.

From the age of five Marilyn's creative talent was evident and her artist mother and grandmother made sure she always had supplies for her imaginative mind. Her mother encouraged her to enter an art contest when she was ten and she won a bike for her effort. By sixteen she was an accomplished and commissioned portrait artist in oil and pastel. At seventeen, Gandré received the Adjutant General Medal, and won the coveted State Sterling Scholar Award and Art Scholarship to the University of Utah, where she studied with Alvin Gittins. She continued her studies and received additional training in the classical approach. Marilyn has taken hundreds of portrait commissions and has taught drawing, figure painting, and portraiture. She is experienced in mural painting. Her hobbies include playing piano and the organ as well as composing music.

Marilyn worked as an illustrator for twenty-one years, supplying the artwork for her own company's products. In 1983 she founded an award winning company that developed into a successful gift and stationary business. In 1987 she founded a second art company to publish and market her prints and limited editions to collectors worldwide. Her artwork has won numerous awards such as: Entrepreneur of the Year Award, National Paper Box and Packaging Association Excellence Awards, Litho Craftman's Club Gallery of Fine Printing Awards Excellence, as well as licenses with Mattel, Madame Alexander and Stieff of Germany. Her art has been licensed for stitchery, needlepoint, cards, prints, fabric, and home décor.

Alternating between painting, sculpting and composing, Gandré works in her studio full time.

Artist Mission Statement:

"As with music, we can draw strength and inspiration from art. The arts enrich our lives and have a refining influence that is so needed in the world today. If people feel uplifted when they view my work, then I have accomplished something worthwhile."