Marlene Llanes

Artist Statement

Marlene Llanes is a surrealist artist who paints intriguing images that evoke a sense of peace. By creating unusual combinations of everyday objects with natural elements, Marlene’s works take the viewer to a grounded fantasy. Her images form meanings for the viewer without being forced upon them. Through the use of light and shadows Marlene creates a sense of depth that draws the viewer into a peaceful dreamlike scene. Her paintings can be very colorful but through the use of contrast Marlene brings simplicity and order. 

Contrary to some art trends where artists focus on producing quick art that will lead to fast sales, Marlene’s art clearly shows an amazing dedication and attention to detail. Due to the high-definition quality of Marlene’s paintings, you can stand close or far and everything looks sharp and clean. 

Marlene has shown her work in numerous exhibits in Texas, Louisiana, and Mexico. 

Three of her works are part of public permanent collections. One at the UHCL Pearland Campus and another one at the Savannah College of Art and Design. In 2012 she was invited to Valloria, Italy to paint one of their doors for their Outdoor Museum of the Painted Doors. 

Marlene has received multiple awards such as First Place at the Round Rock Chalk Walk, Round Rock, TX, 2014; First Place at the 2nd Visual Arts Alliance Invitational Juried Exhibition, Houston, TX, 2012; Third Place in the exhibit “Arte Caliente” at the Betz Art Gallery, Houston, TX, 2009; among many others. Due to the high success Marlene has had selling online in recent years, she has decided not to do in-person shows therefore she has not received any awards recently. 

Marlene wrote and illustrated the children’s book “Paty y los Payasos”, published in 2002 by Los Libros de El Nacional in Venezuela. This was back in the day when publishing a book was not very easy. You had to go through a publishing company that reviews lots of authors and rejects most. Nowadays anybody can self-publish any book thanks to all the resources available on the internet and how easy it is to print a book on demand (which is great!). 

Besides working on her surreal paintings Marlene has also worked as a graphic designer and illustrator for newspapers, printing companies, advertising agencies, and publishing companies. Some of her illustration clients include: Hopkins Medicine, Kelonia Editorial, Pearson Education México, Grupo Olimpia Editores, Libros del Rincón SEP, Revista a! Diseño. 

Marlene is also passionate about teaching. She has taught college at the Art Institute of Austin and children at Art Plus Academy as well as private lessons to adults. 

In 1997 Marlene graduated as a graphic designer from Universidad Vasco de Quiroga in Morelia, Mexico. In 1998 Marlene was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study illustration in the USA. She finished her master’s degree in Fine Arts (Illustration) at the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2000. 

Marlene was born in Morelia, Mexico. She currently lives in Austin, TX. She is a proud dual citizen.