Marie Tugana

MARIE TUGANA

ARTIST'S STATEMENT

"Art encompasses every aspect of life and everyone is an artist in his or her own way, from the tree trimmer to the surgeon."

Originally from Chicago, Marie moved to Arizona in the fall of 1961. She began her art career as a child sidewalk artist. During her childhood she earned many awards in art, including a scholarship, and the National Geographic Gold Key award.

Marie has studied at the Chicago Art Institute, and has studied under the tutelage of Robert McCall and his daughter Stephanie McCall. When Marie moved to Arizona, she broadened her artistic approach by trying different media. Afraid she would be locked into oils, she branched out into different media with Mr. Loren Neal and Ms. Darlene Goto at Glendale College; watercolor with Dick Phillips, Julie Pollard and Ruth Palmisano.

Marie taught art to children and adults in Chicago, as well as Arizona.

Marie paints in a realistic approach, which even comes through in her abstracts. She uses a variety of water media, pencil, inks, and oils. Her paintings are vibrant with color, texture and shape. She has won many awards, including Best of Show in both Chicago and Arizona. Marie is a member of Phoenix Artists Guild, Arizona Pastel Artists Association, juried and award-winning member of the Arizona Art Alliance and an active member of Critique Encounters XII. Her paints hang in private collections from Oregon to Chicago, New York to Texas.

Marie's work is also gracing the walls of the exclusive SKYE Restaurant, 16844 N. Arrowhead Fountain Center Drive in Peoria, for 6 weeks.