Press Page

(see below for 2007 Cherry Creek Press Release)

Article in 303 Magazine, June 2007

:: Something of a Pickle ::

Words: Laura Standley, Images: Diaz/Weber Photography

There’s an oversized cheetah-print chair, paintings of hands, tattoo needles and a little dog yapping at me. I’ve entered the realm of Marie Vlasic’s Flying Pickle Studio, and despite the opinion of Emma, her pug, or Charlie, her English sheepdog, I’m immediately at ease in this space. Marie is vibrant and fun, yet truly serious about her art. And I couldn’t have met her at a better time in her life. The past year has been a sort of renaissance for her.

Her studio is mostly filled with perfectly identifiable images of people being tattooed, sitting at a bar, posing nude or making a face. She tends toward figure painting, which makes her stand apart from her contemporaries. One of my favorite pieces is a painting of a tattoo needle on a silver tray, which soon revealed the obscured reflection of a man’s face hovering above it.

Marie uses her personal photography to capture a scene or a bizarre expression, but she doesn’t take a photo realistic approach to the canvas. She rolls her eyes slightly as she tells me her style could be labeled as impressionistic realism. Though no level of detail is ignored and her work is clearly lifelike, she emphasizes unusual angles, natural lighting and a softer feel than those attempting to paint as clearly as a photo. Plus, she knows her subjects, allowing for a higher level of expression.

Her revival began two years ago when she finally became a full-time artist. “I may be broke, but you’ve got to follow your bliss,” she said. And that’s what she did. She now works in her ideal location on Ninth and Santa Fe streets in a building with a series of studios and plenty of traffic. “I love the energy,” she said, both of her surroundings and the artists that share the same address.

Aside from her location, Marie also gains exposure through eBay. She admits that most of the art for purchase on eBay is “primitive,” but she counts herself among the 30 or so exceptions. Marie is a market-aware artist, but she says, “I have to like what I’m doing.” Thus, she takes risks (as in her silly, multimedia sculptures of food), but also supplies her followers with what they want (nudes, for example). Her most interesting work is shown through her absolute fascination with modern culture

– her more scene-based and un-posed work. 

Further solidifying her rebirth is her recent invitation to be part of the Cherry Creek Arts Festival in July. After applying and being rejected for six years from this prestigious, extremely selective show, she has finally been accepted. “It was such a shock,” she said, thinking “this has got to be a mistake.” But the more it sinks in, it seems the more Marie realizes this is an honor and opportunity that she has undoubtedly earned.

Marie attributes part of her success to a change in mind-set that has emerged over the past year. For instance, she gave herself voice lessons for her last birthday and within a few months became the lead vocal for the rock band File 13. “Life is about doing, getting into it,” she said. She has finally let go of the inhibition that so many of us submit to when deciding whether or not to realize a dream. And File 13 happens to be one of the only reasons she allows herself a break from her studio.

As she lovingly coos over her adopted pug, tattoos are revealed on each of her wrists. They are equally as dainty and soft as they are edgy and harsh. In Hebrew they stand for “heal the earth” and “intention.” The former reminds her to stay humble and help those around her, while the latter reminds her to put the passion behind her work. Though her work showcases tattoos, these two installments are her first pieces of body art. It seems Marie has finally stopped thinking about the type of person she wants to be, and is now allowing herself to be that person – and her art is all the better for it.

Visit Marie at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival July 6-8 at Third Avenue and St. Paul Street in booth #51.

 303-995-7914

www.MarieVlasic.com, www.myspace.com/flyingpicklegirl

Press Release for Cherry Creek:

__________________________________________________________M

Marie “M” Vlasic

the Flying Pickle Studio

Studio 303 995-7914   Home 303 832-7792

________________________________________________________________________________________

Denver’s “Rock Star Painter” set for her Cherry Creek Arts debut

Marie Vlasic gears up to create a buzz at the prestigious annual festival

DENVER, CO – June 12^th, 2007

Denver painter Marie Vlasic is ready to take center stage at this year’s Cherry Creek Arts Festival, so to speak.

Vlasic will make her festival debut this year as the only established Colorado painter to be featured. Her obsession with modern culture and the human form have become the signature trademark of her oil paintings, and have fueled her growing popularity among art collectors both in the U.S. and abroad.

As one of only 209 total artists selected for this year’s festival, Vlasic is beyond excited – and very honored – to be a part of it.

“You feel like you’ve arrived, getting into this show,” she says. “It’s huge.”

Almost 2,400 applicants were judged by a blind jury of art professionals from across the country. At first, Vlasic had a hard time believing she’d made the final cut for the nation's #1 outdoor arts festival (as ranked by four independent industry publications.)

When the envelope from festival officials arrived in the mail, she assumed it was another rejection letter. “I’ve been applying to this show for six years and finally got in,” Vlasic explains. ”I was in shock when I did.”

Her work has been shown in galleries, at festivals and in various public locations all over Southern California & Colorado, including Denver & Aspen, and she is proud to be included in many private collections all over the world.

When she’s not busy painting at her Flying Pickle Studio on Santa Fe Drive, Vlasic fronts the heavy alternative rock band File 13 as lead vocalist. The band recently completed a demo CD and will be performing at the historic Herman’s Hideaway on July 25^th.

Many who meet her are pleasantly surprised by Vlasic’s outgoing personality, unique look and obvious interest in rock music.

“Most people stereotype artists as being loners and quiet people, and I’m definitely not that,” Vlasic says. “I’m very much the extrovert; I do the music and the rock band. Most artists are considered solitary people and I’m not. I like to get out there.”

The Cherry Creek Arts Festival takes place July 6^th, 7^th and 8^th. Marie Vlasic’s paintings will be on display at booth #51, near the corner of 3^rd & St. Paul.

Contact Marie Vlasic

Marie can be reached by phone at 303-995-7914 or by email at theflyingpickle@hotmail.com.  For more information about Marie, her artwork and The Flying Pickle Studio, please visit www.MarieVlasic.com and www.myspace.com/flyingpicklegirl.

About The Cherry Creeks Arts Festival Non-profit Organization
The Cherry Creek Arts Festival is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and exposing Coloradoans to the arts. It fulfills its year-round educational mission through broad school and outreach programs. The Organization's efforts culminate in its annual Cherry Creek Arts Festival, an internationally acclaimed event where world renowned artists come together to display and sell their works in one of the world's largest outdoor galleries. The non-profit organization relies on support from grants, sponsorships, and corporate and individual gifts to fund its programs and events.