Marie Voahangy-Grenier
Houston, TX
Artist's Website
Artist's Statement:
My painting is born of emotional and visual impact.
It reflects excess energy that flows spontaneously and intuitively on canvas in a feast of colors coordinating themselves almost unconsciously.
I work very fast, without hesitation as guided by an inner vision.
I am essentially self-taught. I learned the basics of painting from a French artist in Madagascar for two years while I was still a child. But it was not until thirty years later that the urge to paint became overwhelming.
My paintings are influenced by the many environments I have experienced throughout my life whether in Africa, Europe or the Americas. From my childhood in Madagascar can be found my love for zebus and totems as well as my attraction for symbols. Spiritual and religious themes also often permeate my work.
Finally, to me painting is an introspective trip. It is to discover yourself in all possible ways, to expose one?s imagination, to share dreams with others, to meet.
With time, painting has become as indispensable as a second breath, a new dimension. It has brought beauty to my life. I hope it will do the same for yours.
Artist's Bio:
Marie-Voahangy Ramariavelo was born the 25th of March, 1957 from a French mother and a Madagascan father, both students at the time.
She is only 2 ? years old when her parents decide to move to Madagascar.
She grows up under the sunshine of the Tropics in the ?happy island? without television nor telephone, to the rhythm of the rainy seasons and of the hurricanes. In 1970, years after a difficult divorce, her mother brings her to North Africa with her three brothers and sister.
The white houses and the brilliance of the sun dazzle her. But she leaves Tunisia to complete her high school studies in France.
In 1974, after graduation, she decides to travel before going to college and lives three months in Sweden before flying off to South America. Among other countries, she lives mostly in Colombia where she learns Spanish.
In 1976, she returns to Europe ands spends a year in London to learn English.
In 1977, she registers at the university Paul Valery in Montpellier, France where she obtains a Masters degree in English.
In 1981, she enters the Ecole Normale of Montpellier and becomes a teacher in 1984. From 1984, she teaches lower school and preschool in Montpellier, France, Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean and then in Houston, Texas.
In 1994, she finds unused painting materials bought by her husband and discovers a new passion: painting.
In 1995, she moves to Paris and begins to sell her paintings.
In June 1999, at her first solo exhibition in Paris, at l?Essec she sells 20 out of 70 paintings in a few days. She has done numerous exhibitions since. Together with her current projects, they can be found under the Exhibitions tab.
In 2004, she was requested to become listed on the French government's site at www.drouot-cotation.org which designates the contemporary French artists recognized for their established work.
In addition, she now signs collections for Maryse-des-Jours as an artistic illustrator using her art on modern furniture and decorative items.
In 2005, she has introduced a jewelry collection of silver and semi-precious stones.
