Biography
MARJORIE CRANSTON, FINE ARTIST, JACKSTRAW GALLERY, GRAND LAKE CO.
I was born and raised in Lansing Michigan. At the age of four, I began drawing from my story books copying the images on paper. My siblings and parents believed I had traced the images, so it was apparent there might be a gift that had been bestowed upon me to do art. That gift became more evident through the years. I won the art award in high school, and then went on to study art at Michigan State University. My area of emphasis was life drawing. During my studies at MSU, I was introduced to Interior Design which later became my passion and profession. I completed my degree in Colorado at Colorado Christian University, but then majored in business thinking it would later help me in both my art and design careers. I also attended the Art Students League of Denver and studied with Tony Ortega who has inspired my pastel work since.
I have been doing design for the past 35 years and built my career on the Denver Parade of Homes. I won many awards and was featured in many publications. I specialized in construction planning, when homeowners are seeking assistance in building their homes. On the side, always as a desire, I was moving toward art on a full-time basis.
Moving to Grand Lake 17 years ago allowed both careers to grow simultaneously, with the gallery offering me studio time for both art and design. The winters can get long, but that also affords one the breather for creativity; and so, during those months I was also inspired to create clothing from art, which I sell in the gallery.
My pastel work is in soft pastel on sanded paper. Typically, the work has been of local scenes from my hikes in the mountains. I try to hike daily with my dogs at my side and take photos along the way, which serves as my inspiration for the studio art. Because the pastel paintings are larger, I refrain from plein air work. I also have produced many pieces available in giclee.
Marjorie