Marianne H Nielsen

My expressive abstract paintings are a dance of energies and emotions. I turned to painting many years ago as a way to relieve the stresses of daily life, finding an outlet for expression. Painting in many layers, each layer adding to the story. Using an array of tools, such as palette knives, spatulas, wedges, brayers and more, each layer is pushed, pulled, and blended to achieve a harmonious finish.

While seemingly non-representational, my work explores the patterns, colours and movement found in nature, the elements, and the galaxy. Clouds, rain, stars and more make an appearance, carrying with them the emotions associated with each. Music plays a large role in my daily practice, influencing the fluidity and movement of my art.

My ultimate goal is to create an expressive dreamland full of emotion, with hints of representation that resonate with my audience, and allows them to find their own imaginative imagery and feeling.

I live in a small township outside of Ottawa, ON. I paint from my home studio overlooking a forest. My artwork can be found in private collections across Canada and North America, Europe, Australia and South Africa.

I have a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from Queen's University in Kingston Ontario. I have explored a number of careers over my years from working in the oil & gas industry, running my own consulting business, and selling real estate.

I retired from the work force when I had my children and it was during that time I began writing children's poetry, short stories and books.

My art education is purely self-taught and self-directed and I began creating more seriously when my children flew the coop.