Arts & Culture
Lehi artist featured in American Fork gallery
Marilyn Vicchrilli’s paintings will be featured at The Balcony Gallery in the American Fork Library during September, with an open house on September 10 from 6 to 7 p.m.
Vicchrilli became serious about oil painting only three years ago after she left her full-time job. While she was raising her children and working, Marilyn got her drawing and painting fix through sketches, watercolors, and tole painting. When she was ready to learn more, she jumped in with both feet, taking classes and joining art clubs. Vicchrilli studies with David Dean in Orem, as well as Plein Air painting in nearby canyons and along the Jordan River with other groups. She is starting a class at Salt Lake Community College in a few weeks too.
“I enjoy it. I try to paint every day if I can. I find it relaxing – it helps clear my mind,” said Vicchrilli. She has a small studio set up in a spare bedroom in her Lehi home, but her husband, Mike, is planning to build Marilyn a “she shed” for a proper art studio.
One of Vicchrilli’s favorite traditions is drawing a Christmas card every year. Family and friends have encouraged her to continue painting because of her Christmas cards. This year Vicchrilli wants to try a painting of Father Christmas. “I have a hard time with faces. I’ll probably draw him looking down,” she said.
The walls of the Vicchrilli’s home are bare right now as Marilyn has packed up her paintings for The Balcony Gallery exhibit. She enjoys painting flowers, especially hollyhocks, and old barns and houses. “I feel like I’ve come a long way and improved from my early work. When someone pays for my paintings, I feel like I’ve really accomplished something,” said Vicchrilli. She derives a lot of her inspiration from Pinterest, combining photo images into one oil painting.
Marilyn Vicchrilli’s paintings will be on display at The Balcony Gallery at the American Fork Library until September 28. Some of the paintings will be available to buy and she will have cards and prints available for purchase as well.
