Marilyn Simandle
Beginning with finger paints and progressing to national acclaim, Marilyn Simandle has been a painter since age 6. Originally taught and encouraged by her mother, herself a painter and musician, she grew up in the San Francisco Bay area. Marilyn received a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art from San Jose State University.
Perhaps inheriting a love of music from her mother, Marilyn has a baby grand piano in her studio and enjoys playing it during her breaks from painting. After graduating from college in 1969, Marilyn put her brushes down to become a stewardess. She and her husband Ted Goerschner are avid travelers and often trek the United States and Europe to photograph and paint beautiful gardens, magnificent coastlines, and enchanting townscapes.
Says Simandle, “Travel does help, but the basic inspiration really comes from inside me. Sometimes you can put yourself in the most incredible spots, but if it’s not in you to respond to what’s there, then you can be anywhere and it won’t do anything for you.”
To date, she has exhibited in over 80 one-woman shows. Her oil paintings have won numerous awards at national juried and invitational shows. Most recently, she was awarded the Shirl Smithson Founder’s Award at the Oil Painters of America show in Carmel for her oil Harbor View, aka Vista View.
Marilyn is a well-respected master artist. She is a Master Signature Member of Oil Painters of America, a Signature Member of the American Watercolor Society, Plein-Air Painters of America and the California Art Club. Her work is widely collected by both individuals and corporations.
Having achieved the respect of a master watercolorist, Marilyn has now committed herself to work with oil paints. She assimilates the delicate touch and planning critical to watercolors with the boldness and finish that only oil paints can achieve, resulting in works of arresting vibrancy and light-play. Her paintings are uplifting and refreshing.
Stressing the importance of a classical education, Marilyn also asserts that “painting is a combination of intellect and emotions. You must have both technique and impression but I feel the most important aspect is the sincere feelings of the artist; that is how the viewer becomes connected.”
Marilyn’s positive outlook is reflected in her paintings, which, like the title of her book are full of Contagious Enthusiasm. Earlier in her career, Marilyn spent 15 years sharing her joy and knowledge of art by teaching. She no longer teaches but still conducts workshops on occasion. Surrounded by magnificent rose gardens, she resides with her artist husband, a dog, a cat, and two horses.