ARTIST STATEMENT OF MARCIA BRAGER
Although my works on paper are infused with line work, I think of them as paintings as opposed to drawings. My brushes, loaded with water and watercolor, allow for a fresh painterly quality. The lines are expressive calligraphic markings that are an integral part of the work and express the character of the face or figure that I am painting.
The focus of my work at this time is mainly portraits of people. I use water color for both color, and black and white portraits. For my subjects I search magazines to find faces that portray a strong character and attitude of a person.
Catching the soul and character of the person is an important aspect of my work. This is done in different ways: For example, sometimes I express this in the elongated face, head, or neck. Sometimes the eyes of the person might be slightly offset. The shading is also important. I work in a range of values on a scale from deep inky black, through dark gray, and light gray to white.
Line quality is essential in order to capture the spirit of my subject. Lines around the mouth and forehead, all help to define the soul of the person The creases around the eyes from smiling and the worry lines around the mouth and forehead, all help to define the essence of the person who is “posing” for me. The viewer can observe the contrasts, especially in the shadow areas. I work spontaneously and generally take just a week or two to complete my paintings.
When I use color, it is to convey the mood of my subject. My colors are emotionally expressive and vibrant. They range from vivid and warm hues that embrace you with happiness, to cool, somber tones that express quietness, sadness or depression.
I am influenced by Japanese brush strokes and woodblock paintings.
I live with my husband and four cats in Venice, California. I am a native Californian.