Georgia Art 

AtlantaArtist Lends Whimsical Flair to
Repertoire of Artists with Online Art Gallery, Artaissance

Atlanta, GA  (March 16, 2007) -- Atlanta native, Kim English Marks, is one of the newest talents to be welcomed to the Artaissance family of artists, who provide exquisite giclee reproduction works via an online retail ‘art gallery,’  which launched in Atlanta in September 2006.  Artaissance is a natural extension of Larson-Juhl, a century-old custom framing manufacturer, headquartered in Atlanta and offering higher-end framing and moulding products.  Artaissance was born from Larson-Juhl CEO, Steve McKenzie’s, desire to bring his love of art into the business as the perfect complement to the many collections of frames and framing products already being offered through his company.

Kim’s introduction into the Artaissance family was almost by accident, as she was very focused on her career in marketing communications and raising her family.  While she was a talented artist with very deep artistic roots, it wasn’t until 2001, when she became one of the ‘fallout victims of 9/11,’ that she considered turning to her talent as a source of income.  “I hadn’t painted since my kids were babies, but I pulled out my paints and started dabbling again,” explained Marks.  “It was small stuff at first, and then I gradually starting producing more.  She began with home parties for a couple of years and did well.  That was six years ago.  Now, Marks’ works can be found online via Artaissance and at a handful of select galleries that include Matilda’s in Alpharetta, GA; Blue Rooster Café in Lilburn, GA; Stone Soup in Key West, FL; and Peak Experience in Highlands, NC.

While Marks is still a marketing/communications professional by day, she’d eventually love for her art to be her full focus.  She laughs, “I have a split personality – during the day, I’m a marketing business woman, and on weekends and at night, I’m the artist.”  And really, both talents come quite naturally.  Marks has painted all her life…literally, as she says, since she was a baby.  “Both my grandmothers were artists. My dad’s mother quit her job in her 40s and started painting, and then she opened her own shop in Louisville, Georgia,” explained Marks.  “We all painted for entertainment when visiting her.” 

That’s how Marks was initially exposed to the craft.  While all of her cousins participated in the fun art sessions at their grandmother’s house, Kim is the only one who transformed her artistic abilities into a career.  “Grandmother English was a very learned lady – she resigned from being principal of a school to draw and paint,” recalled Marks.  That admiration very well may have planted the seed for Marks.

Marks attended Brenau Women’s College, majoring in commercial art, minoring in fine art and advertising. Her art has a distinctive flair, and she uses a technique that provides a definitive signature to her pieces.  “My works are fairly traditional compositions, but what I do at the very end is my own flair, if you will,” explained Marks.  She uses accent strokes to finish off her paintings which she says gives them movement…and she gives them atypical colors.  Or as she explains it, ‘weird colors on top of regular colors.’  The result is powerful.

And she names all of her paintings, too, which seems to give them more of an identity.  For instance, “Clarence” is a beloved Artaissance rooster. “I try to give my subjects their own personality – my roosters generally have attitude; my chickens are goofy and my fish always have a smile.  It humanizes them to be named,” offered Marks.  And people do ask for her paintings by name.

“I do predominantly watercolor – I enjoy it and I’m the most comfortable with it.  But I also paint in other media, including oil and acrylic,” offered Marks.  And even though canvas isn’t a typical medium for watercolor, Marks explains that certain types of canvas accept watercolor beautifully.  “My technique is secret.  The reproduction of watercolors on canvas brings color up that’s very vibrant and that you don’t get with other media.  I developed a way to paint to achieve the transparency of watercolor, along with vibrant colors, too,” she shared.

Marks’ discovery by Steve McKenzie at Artaissance was a combination of “who you know” and the fact that she is such a talented artist, just waiting to be discovered. “My brother is a long-time sales associate for Larson-Juhl and introduced me to the Artaissance concept and I was intrigued,” said Marks.  “I was so appreciative that Artaissance was willing to take on a local artist who was not yet necessarily ‘established.’  To have them champion me is such an honor, and I’m excited to be included in their repertoire of talented artists from all over the world.”  What Artaissance customers love about her work are the vibrant colors, painted frames and whimsical subject matter.  Right now, you can visit www.artaissance.com and find Marks’ roosters, shown by name, of course, including Flashy Rooster, Clarence and Chéz Chiks, Lucy & Ethyl.  “Artaissance is huge.  It’s a thrill – I’d wanted to be published for years.  Now I feel that I’ve got a distinctive style and body of work to do this well.  I feel confident that I’ve got distinct subject lines that people want to collect, and they can do so via Artaissance,” explained Marks.  Right now, 11 pieces are being showcased on the site, and there’s definite potential to provide more as they’re completed.  What customers will find today is my initial ‘launch package’ with Artaissance.  It’s all so exciting.” 

Marks was also honored when HGTV Dream Home 2007 purchased one of her original paintings for the upstairs guest bedroom in a home in Winter Park, CO that’s being giving away on March 16^th.    She’s also done commissions for some prominent Atlanta residents including a Georgia State Senator.

Marks grew up in Doraville, GA, and attended Sequoyah High School prior to attending Brenau Women’s College.  She currently resides in Lilburn, GA with her husband and two daughters.  All of Marks’ collections can be seen by visiting her web site, www.KimMarksArt.com .  

About Artaissance

Artaissance opens the online retail door to a whole new world for art lovers who appreciate value, convenience and breathtaking gallery-quality art adorning their homes. Curated by Larson-Juhl – a Berkshire-Hathaway company and the worlds’ premier custom framing designer and manufacturer – Artaissance features more than 80 artists and an exclusive library of more than 1,700 works of original art (and growing) by acclaimed artists, such as Rodney White, Soraya Chemaly, Max Hayslette, Atlanta’s Kim Marks and many others.   Artaissance offers giclee selections in custom sizes, making the experience of selecting art easier and more enjoyable.  For more information, please visit www.artaissance.com.

About Larson-Juhl

Established more than a century ago, Larson-Juhl is the world’s premier designer, manufacturer and distributor of fine custom frames of enduring style and craftsmanship.  A Berkshire-Hathaway company headquartered in Atlanta, GA, Larson-Juhl boasts an international distribution network that includes more than 24 facilities across the United States and a distinguished presence in more than 15 other countries.  In the over 100 years since its founding, the company has established its leadership in the moulding industry building a solid track record of trust and consistently delivering quality and design.  For more information, visit www.larsonjuhl.com.                    

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Lynne Andrews, Principal

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