One Woman: Many Perspectives II

Expressionist watercolors by Marian Christy

Reception with Artist: Sunday, January 24, 2:00 – 4:00 pm

Marian Christy, who had a distinguished career as a fashion editor and celebrity journalist at the Boston Globe for over 25 years and also authored four notable works of non-fiction, has always thought of herself first and foremost as a storyteller, no matter what the medium–paper and pen, or paints and canvas. As she notes on her website, she “feels compelled to fill in the white space with colors and images either from my brush or my pen. Either way, I am telling a story.”

A self-taught artist, Belmont resident Christy’s work features an unusual technique she developed using a palette knife instead of a brush, which gives her paintings a distinctly lush, textural quality. Christy has been painting daily in her small home basement studio the last several years perfecting this technique, which she believes gives watercolors a new dimension.

Among Christy’s many journalism honors is a “Distinguished Alumni Award” from Boston University’s College of Communication, where her papers, manuscripts and letters are part of the school’s prestigious Howard Gottlieb Archival Research Center. After her many years as a successful journalist, Christy dubs her unusual painting career “Chapter Two.”

Christy has been quietly exhibiting her paintings in non-commercial galleries without much media fanfare, while developing a reputation and following for her work. Since 2006, her paintings have been featured in 15 exhibitions nationwide. Private collectors have taken notice, especially of her unique “knifed” paintings, where she often uses a palette knife alone–or in combination with a brush. Earlier this year she showed solo at the prestigious Mellon Arts Center, with Robert Mellon serving as curator.

“Watercolor artist Marian Christy is making her mark with expressionist landscapes that are uniquely hers. Images spill forth from a lifelong journey as Marian releases her vivid spirit and energy through intensely saturated colors and graceful renderings with brush and palette knife,” says Nan Rogers, administrator of the Belmont Gallery of Art.

Boston-based real estate entrepreneur Rachel Goldberg agrees, choosing Christy’s work for the inaugural solo show in her new Oceola 32 Gallery in Stuart, Florida, just outside of Palm Beach last month. “Christy’s work is timeless, universal, enduring and inspiring,” says Goldberg.

That’s an opinion echoed by James Morris, curator of the Catuano and Company Art Gallery at Bentley University, where Christy’s paintings will be displayed next month. “While Ms. Christy’s work is firmly grounded in the French Impressionist tradition, it is her bold marking and aggressive use of the watercolor medium that gives the work its own voice.”

Belmont Gallery of Art visitors will have an opportunity to meet artist Marian Christy in person at a public reception for her One Woman: Many Perspectives II exhibit on Sunday, January 24, 2-4 p.m.

Marian Christy’s website.