Marta Wiley

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Marta Wiley’s art is as colorful, captivating and varied as the artist herself. As a child, young Marta exhibited a wild streak that her grandmother, Martha Gottfried (who was also an accomplished artist) helped channel into the fine arts. In fact, her grandmother has been declared a national treasure by the Mexican government. Both she and Marta came from Coyoacan, Mexico (near Mexico City), the very same place where Diego Rivera and Frieda Kahlo lived and painted. With such an artistic family legacy behind her, it is no surprise that Marta is following in her footsteps. She credits her grandmother with teaching her everything she knows about painting.

Marta is of European, Mexican and Cherokee descent. She received her formal training at Otis Parsons School of Design.

Time and maturity have not stilled the childhood energy and wonderful spirit of this artist. Her artistic passions run as deeply and soulfully as her dignified figurative creations.

The inspiration for Marta’s work springs from a variety of places—from the mystical and mythological experimental films of Maya Daren, to the far-reaching expanses of Carlos Castaneda’s writing, to meditation and self-imposed discipline. These inspirations are all evidenced through her art—the dreamlike and alluring figuratives, the romantic and fantastical quality of her settings, the bold texturing and decisive detailing. These all converge to produce imagery that is as seductive as it is contemplative. Additional influences are the work and technique of John Singer Sergeant, Edvard Munch, and Kathe Kollwitz.

Now working and residing in the American Southwest, Marta is involved with a variety of personal interests in addition to her artwork, including her intense concern for the environment and her music.

Artist Videos

Marta Wiley Painting - Gates of Angels (12.3 mb)