What *doesn't* Carrie Marill do? In addition to participating in multiple shows a year for ten+ years, she runs an artist residency program through Arizona State University, creates gorgeous paintings inspired by motherhood and nature, and develops striking large-scale murals (see her latest from start to finish). She's been a long time member of the JBP fam, having exhibited extensively in group + solo shows at Jen Bekman Gallery. No matter what she makes, it's filled with bright colors and a spark of imagination that we love. We tip our hats to you, Ms. Marill! – Jen & Team 20x200
Studio Speak
Where's your studio?
An apartment building that houses Combine Studios, an artist residency run through ASU.
What's your favorite "tool" in the studio?
My new easel - I have terrible neck pain from working for years hunched over a desk and the added pressure of too much phone gazing. I finally made the splurge on an easel and it's been a huge help.
What do you wear when working in the studio?
Nothing ;) but clothes and a well worn apron.
What's the first thing you do when you arrive at your studio?
Check on the plants and clean up.
What's on your in-studio playlist?
A perfect studio day is a backlog of podcasts I can binge listen to while I work, particularly This American Life, Snap Judgement and Radiolab.
What's your favorite way to sweat it out?
Body Pump!
What's your favorite way to procrastinate in the studio?
Cleaning.
Which artists' 20x200 editions do you most covet?
Duh - William Wegman.
Whens, Hows & Whys
When did you first realize you wanted to become an artist?
This is embarrassing - I was 4 drawing on the green shag carpet thinking "I am an Artist". When I was 10 I saw a Robert Bechtle painting of a station wagon at the Oakland Museum of Art and it blew my mind - it changed what I thought art could be. The same thing happened in undergrad when a teacher showed me Cy Twombly's paintings. Past exposure and subsequent exposures are continually shaping who I am as an artist.
How’d you get there?
Schooling, travel, looking and LOTS of studio time.
How do you get over creative blocks?
Travel or head to the library or museum.
How did you get started with 20x200?
This lady named Jen Bekman wrote to me and then called and explained this crazy proposition of making affordable art for everyone (this was early in the game). I was nervous at first but I liked Jen and trusted her from the beginning.
The 411 on Carrie Marill
Carrie Marill was born in San Francisco, CA, in 1976. She graduated from San Francisco State University in 2002 with a BA in painting and received an MFA in painting from Cornell University in 2004. Her work has been exhibited throughout the United States in California, New York, Seattle, Miami, Dallas and Arizona. Marill's work has been published in New American Paintings, Wired, Southwest Art, the New Times, the Wall Street Journal, Modern Painters, LA Weekly and the LA Times. Her work is in the collection of Todd Oldham, Missoni, Megan Mullally, Disney, The Hallmark Collection and many other exciting collectors. In addition to continual exhibitions, Marill’s practice includes developing large-scale outdoor murals, and running a residency program for international artists in downtown Phoenix.
Professional Site: Carrie Marill Blog: Punk Wasp Instagram: @punk.wasp Pinterest: @punkwasp
