Marla Parnell

“Light playing across and unexpectedly illuminating faces and forms whispers to me, “Paint!” It is the challenge of depicting that light and the nuances of the colors that truly pulls me into the creative process It is when the magic happens and the piece takes on a voice of its own. When I step back from the work to see what has transpired, I still experience that childlike wonder. It’s all about playing with vibrant colors!”

After earning a BFA from Missouri State University, Marla continued her art studies with master pastel artists, learning to truly see the subtle hues in the colors of light and how to replicate those hues with lush layers of soft pastels.

She has created well over 300 commissioned pastel portraits, primarily of children and pets. Her work can be found in private collections throughout the United States. Currently, Marla teaches beginning and intermediate pastel painting to students in her studio in northeast Springfield.

Marla has received awards in numerous regional and national shows, and in March, 2010, her painting of a sheltie won Best in Show in the national juried Art Show At The Dog Show in Wichita, Kansas. Her winning entry was purchased by Purina and has been donated to the permanent collection of the American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog in St. Louis.

Marla is a member of the Pastel Society of America (New York), Gateway Pastel Artists (St. Louis), International Association of Pastel Artists, Best of Missouri Hands, Springfield Regional Arts Council and Visual Artist Alliance of Springfield.

A gallery of her work, along with that of her husband, studio potter Hue Parnell, can be viewed at www.parnellstudios.com.

Marla Rush Parnell
Parnell Studios
1855 E. Stoneridge Dr.
Springfield, MO 65807

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it