Marilee
Cooper
Media:
Painting, Mixed Media
Studio Location:
PaintCan Studios - 10-10 44 Ave., Long Island City, NY 11101
Room/Studio#
302
Website:
Artist Bio:
Born and raised in Long Island City, I was the only American-born child of parents who had lived in Vienna, Austria during its' artistic and cultural heyday - a time rich with the Bauhaus movement and creative innovation in the early 20th century. The Holocaust forced them to flee, and they ultimately found refuge in New York City, bringing with them a deep appreciation for art and culture.
I was nurtured in a creatively charged environment by my architect father and milliner mother. Weekend outings often led us to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and when the weather allowed, to The Cloisters. Art and culture weren’t just present in my upbringing - they were foundational. From a young age, I was taught how to use a spoon and a paintbrush at the same time. Art supplies were my toys, and creativity became my pride and joy. Aesthetics and ethics shaped and continue to shape the way I experience the world.
Artist Statement:
VIGNETTE Series
Drawing and painting the human figure has always been central to my work. While I now explore multimedia, the human form remains a core focus. When I’m away from the studio, I turn to pen, ink, and brush marker to create playful, lyrical drawings. These figurative works are narrative, sassy, fun-loving - just a little bit naughty. The energy continues to flow, most recently with Vignette no.159.
SEGMENT Series
This series began with a glinting tin can and evolved through the discovery of accidental beauty pigmented, textured paper towels used during my painting process. Recycling became both my medium and mission. Found objects, paint, and those towels now shape my visual language. I reimagine discarded materials, restoring energy and imbuing them with sensual, emotional, and psychic resonance. The work critiques excess - while creating new harmony in imagined spaces full of fantasy, hope, and a quiet whisper of immortality.