“An immersive experience” is how one friend described my solo exhibition at the Piano Craft Gallery on Tremont St. in Boston, which opened on August 4th and runs thru Aug 13th.

“Snapshot stories” another patron smiled. But it was my sister, who drew my attention to the patterns I paint. She said they’re beautiful repetitions and I should do more of that. I was reminded of my attachment to their use, how patterns are all around us, and if we take time to pause and see them, they make us smile.

Another dear friend shared a more religious perspective, she said “You were just minding your own business painting, and look what happened!” And threw her hands up to gesture at the totality of the exhibit, the quantity and quality of the work.

“SOL- Smiling Out Loud, The Art of Listening” is a collection of fifty paintings by DaNice D Marshall, and curated by Erik Grau, Director of the Piano Craft Gallery. After the installation went up, Erik walked around the open spaced gallery and counted each person that was depicted in DaNice’s art work.

“Three hundred and thirty six!” He announced smiling. And he hadn’t included us, me and my husband, in the final tally. It made me realize, if no one else came to see my work, that technically, I could claim 339 people had been in the gallery with me during my solo exhibition 😉

Someone asked me what does it feel like… having a solo exhibition in Boston. Honestly, I feel outside of myself. As if I’m watching someone else’s life. Even more so, because I was born and grew up in Boston.

And then there’s this simultaneous expansion going on, that is I have two paintings showing at the Krikorian Gallery in Worcester, and next week I’ll have work showing at the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art, located in Augusta, GA. Next month two paintings will be at a gala in Pennsylvania and later during September I’ve been invited to a three artists exhibition at New Art Corridor in Newton, MA.

To me, life is a learning curve and I’m riding the top of a wave right now. I’m humbled by the number of people who have encouraged me, who have helped me and supported my art. I’m in love with the world right now & this life, which began rather ordinarily, which I now live extraordinarily.

The MFA is my dream goal and my mantra is a line from Robert Frost’s poem, “Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening”:

I’ve “…miles to go before I sleep.”

If you get a chance, please stop by a gallery. This one, or a gallery near you. Seeing art in an art gallery is mind expanding. There’s something about being up close and personal that touches the human soul in such a beautiful & profound way. Like a plant needs water, we need art to dream & grow.

#SOL #powerofculture #art #exhibition #artexhibition #contemporaryart #artistssupportartists #technygalleries #artcommunity #femaleartists #bostonartists #dopeart #museumsfromhome #painting

#functionalart

Remember that time, when the opening scenes in Episode 4, of “Naomi” was airing on The CW & streaming on HBOMax?

That was my art. I didn’t scream it from the rooftops back then, but if you don’t mind, I’ll do so now.

Perhaps, one of the hardest parts about becoming an artist for me, has been the humility and vulnerability that I feel, when my work is showing. It’s an odd pair, this dichotomy of excitement & anxiety… seeing my art on television last February blew my mind, it still does. But today I’m sharing it proudly, with gratitude 🙏

There’s something special about seeing paintings up close and in person. While it was lovely to see so many of my pieces on television, it’s better to see them hanging on a wall.

I’m so honored to have two paintings included in “Artists on Fire” curated by Juniper Rag and in group exhibition showing in Worcester MA July 21 – August 12th. Opening Reception will be July 21st 4pm – 9pm.

My forthcoming solo exhibition will be in Boston August 4 – 13th, at Piano Craft Gallery. If you’re around, please stop by. The show’s opening Reception is Aug 4 @ 6pm – 8pm.

#myart #throwbackthursday #Naomi #art #exhibition #artexhibition #groupexhibition #soloexhibition contemporaryart #culture #artculture #artistssupportartists #artevent #artcommunity #visitartgalleries #buyart

None of us, has one singular moment in time, in which we become our true selves. Instead, there’s a cumulative effect, millions of minutes in which, if we’re lucky, our transformation takes place. We learn in hours that become days, that become weeks, and then we mark these in years.

The human experience— learnt moments full of joy and sorrow. The straight path seems easy, while the bends in life become learning curves, that strengthen our character and build upon our resolve and help us flex our muscles as a reminder, that strength is the rawest form of power.

And if we sort it out, there is a story within us, a story of magnificent proportions. These bits and pieces are what makes each of us special. And I’m so glad to have met so many special human beings in my lifetime.

So my bucket list is full of your names, names of those who’ve made a difference in my life. I quietly thank you for being kind and supportive of me. And in case you didn’t hear… here I am again, with my arms wide and my heart open, this message is to everyone & anyone who’s shared their time, shared their world, offered me hope, took an extra minute to listen to me and smiled at me:

You are truly appreciated 🙏❤️

#bucketlist #artjourney #onward

O’ Live Life Musically🎶

“Her- Just Being Jazzy”
40” x 30”

There’s something about the syncopated rhythm of jazz that moves me. Foot tapping. Finger snapping. Head Bopping to the beat. Et tu?

olive4jazz #powerofculture #artcreatescommunity #art #exhibition #artexhibition #contemporaryart #artistssupportartists #technygalleries #artcommunity #femaleartists #bostonartists #dopeart #museumsfromhome #painting

Isn’t it amazing, how music has a way of bringing us all together? And as we’re immersed & touched by song, we can forget all our worries. It’s then, out on the dance floor that we are free. We’re not on the internet, caught up on social media, not staring down at our phones, and we’re not worried about the nonsense that happened the day before… because in that moment, when we dance, we’re free. Spinning, hair flying, finger snapping & toe tapping. Imagine that.

🎶Roller Coaster🎶. Say what! Exhilarating 💯

#Dancing #ohioplayers #whenwedance #contempoaryart #art #noworrries

Truth is, up until about four years ago, I had never noticed that inside the word “heart” is the word “art”.

It was around the same time that I was beginning to paint and make art that I noticed the coincidence. And it’s within reason to think that my activities gave me a new perspective, that is I could now “see” what had always been there.

I bet it’s inside you too.

On May 20th, New Art Center presents Paradiso Social Club Gala live online auction to help support cultural programs. I’m honored to have my work included.

If you have a chance check out the online auction & acquire heART.

#paradisosocialclub #artauction #juniperrag #newartcenter #liveauction #silentauction #powerofculture #contemporaryart #juniperrag #newartcenter #artistssupportartists

What if, the art we see online was also the art that we put on our walls?

All of those likes, gathered and collected would take on additional reverence.

Imagine, if a piece of art could make us feel good, simply by gazing at it. Truth is, that’s exactly what some art does. It’s that powerful. Art can change a mindset, it can bring us into its story and make us feel a certain way… art can bring us together.

Walls were meant to do more than just hold down a floor and keep a ceiling suspended. Art and walls just go together. There’s a redefined purpose of a wall, which is to show art.

I was just thinking… people need to visit art galleries more often. First dates should mandate a visit to an art museum. And we ought to label it something clever, like staring at a wall for #ArtSake

It could be a prerequisite for #ShowAndTell in kindergarten, where a child shares the story of a first date from which he was conceived. Doesn’t matter whether or not there was an actual marriage, doesn’t matter if there was a divorce, it isn’t about those things. Art is like that… it makes you think. So bring someone with you, because thoughts are supposed to be shared 🙏

#wallart #artgallery #powerofculture #art #exhibition #artexhibition #contemporaryart #artistssupportartists #technygalleries #artcommunity #femaleartists #bostonartists #dopeart #museumsfromhome #painting

In a world that’s spinning incredibly fast, it’s important to remember that turtles can and do exist.

These past few years, I’ve lived by the mantra “Slow and Steady” it’s helped me get through some of life’s greatest difficulties and made me stronger.

Here is where I stand. On the outside, I appear as any ordinary woman my age. My muscles aren’t big. I don’t have extra appendages and I don’t wear a halo above my head. But on the inside, I’m swelled with pride at where I am in my life.

Because I realize now, that every obstacle I climbed over, every blockade that I pushed aside or powered through, every obstacle that I crawled my way under, got me to here and made me stronger. As if I were pressing weights, I persevered. I stayed focused and avoided fluctuating or being fickle-headed.

Here I am, a living testament to the mantra: “Slow and Steady”, living proof that strength is the rawest form of power. Spinning my own story💕

If I’m making it look easy, it’s so little girls will see me and try.

#spinningherstory #powerofculture #art #exhibition #artexhibition #contemporaryart #artistssupportartists #technygalleries #artcommunity #femaleartists #bostonartists #dopeart #museumsfromhome #painting #functionalart #empoweringwomen

Excitement. Melancholy. Excitement! Today is de-install day. What a journey!!!

“When There’s Laughter” was my first solo exhibition. I was allowed to create, curate and put together a complete exhibition, from the theme to the hanging of my paintings on a Walker rod system. I devised title cards with QRC’s and my website clicks grew substantially.

And even though it was an unbelievable amount of work, it was lovely, absolutely lovely. The wide learning curve has increased my knowledge of the art world, given me a working network and led to sales. Yes!

I was able to make a nice donation to the Newton Free Library and to Alzheimer’s, because I never want to forget the joy that this exhibition has given me.

I’m so grateful to my family,. Thank you🙏❤️

My Artist Statement has always been about making people smile, just a little, at least on the inside… well that happened for real! So many happy faces! And yes, mine was among them 🙂

There’s a moment in every life, when proud doesn’t describe the overall sense of amazement that one feels. Feel that 🙂

“Thank you” to everyone who stopped thru. I think you’re fabulous 🙏❤️

#DreamCaught #Art #SoloExhibition #artistssupportartists #artexhibition #contemporaryart #artistssupportartists #technygalleries #artcommunity #femaleartists #bostonartists #dopeart #museumsfromhome #painting

So grateful🙏 Long after time & the elements of this world cause the memory of this night to fade, I’ll look at the video & the photos of this exhibition & I’ll smile proudly 🥰

I paint to make people smile, at least a little bit on the inside. Smiles are contagious! When you smile, it makes me smile. It’s the same with laughter. Don’t believe me? Come, see what happens-

“When There’s Laughter” Newton Free Library 330 Homer St. Newton. Thru March 30th

Ms Diana Ross sang “if there’s a cure for this, I don’t want it. Don’t want it. If there’s a remedy, I’ll run from it…”

This is how art is suppose to feel ❤️

#Sisterhood #whenthereslaughter #powerofculture #art #exhibition #artexhibition #contemporaryart #artistssupportartists #technygalleries #artcommunity #femaleartists #bostonartists #dopeart #museumsfromhome #painting