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I have lived in the North Georgia area all my life -- born in Smyrna -- on the outskirts of Atlanta. I have been painting for over 37 years, starting in oil, and progressing to acrylic and pastel. I painted for 20 years under the name of Marsha Bacon, hence the inclusion of my maiden name of Hamby. Pastel is my favorite medium, though I still produce in oil and acrylic. I paint about 50% of the time plein air (outdoors) and 50% of the time in studio. I believe in capturing the essence of nature which is what most of my paintings are about. I am a Member of Excellence in the Southeastern Pastel Society, and Workshop Chairman for SPS. I am also a member of the Atlanta Artist Center, the Arts Alliance of Georgia, and the Southern Appalachian Artist Guild/Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Organization (VP/Chairman Shows & Events). I am fully involved in all my organizations.
I have been juried into many shows and won numerous awards. In October, 2008, I won 'Second Best In Show' at the Southern Appalachian Artist Guild First National Juried Show judged by Alan Flattmann. I also won the 'People's Choice' award for a different painting in the same show. I also recently won the 'Best of Show' for the Southeastern Pastel Society Show juried by Terry Ludwig, and 'First Place' for a 6-foot acrylic in the 'BIG' Show at the Tannery Row Artist Colony in Buford, GA, juried by committee. I also had a painting juried into an international competition, the Art du Pastel in France, where it was displayed and then went to Giverny for display which was a great honor.
I teach classes weekly and plein air / studio workshops frequently around the Southeastern United States. I am frequently sought out to give painting demonstrations, programs to art organizations on the quality of painting from a photograph, and the business side of being an artist. My work can be found in collections around the United States.
