When asked how it feels to be almost 98, Marjorie says: “I am still active and enjoy what I am doing.  And what I do still has meaning for other people, not just me. It isn’t just the art, it’s bringing people together. I love that my garage that wasn’t used when I stopped driving, has become a useful studio.”

Marjorie is teaching weekly collage workshops (for a donation.)

Her monthly Sunday Salon Series starts back on September 12 at 5 pm.
Speaker and program to be announced.

Call her at 733-0829 for details or email here.

Mary Connelly, former owner of the Apple A Day Health Food Store, will present a talk on Nutrition. Feel free to bring any questions you might have on this subject.  As an added treat, Ed Ross will play ‘Tunes from Yesterday’ on his accordion.  Hope you can make it and help with snacks and refreshments.

3110 Border Links Drive
Visalia, CA 93291
733-0829

I have a quote from Marjorie that I use a lot and which truly represents a real artist’s attitude.  It goes like this “the refrigerator needs fixing, the pantry is empty, but there is so much art to buy.” She always choose to buy art.

I always refer to her quote whenever art buying comes up, or whenever an artist frets or a buyer hesitates.

Happy Birthday to a true artist.  Maybe she will remember me (Maggy used to run Gallery 198 in Three Rivers several years ago, and now lives in New Mexico.)

Maggy wearing her fiber art.

I found out Marjorie used to lived in Three Rivers in a home of some gentlemen I had just met. She asked me if they might let her see the place, which she and her husband had loved. She walked into the living room and teared up, touching the fire place. “I built this,” she sighed.

The decor was very much 1950’s and she eagerly showed the gentlemen photos of the room, not much different, in some cases exactly the same. Downstairs she described the 1955 flood, sand filling up the rooms taller than she was then. The house survived and now was obviously thriving. Marjorie was thrilled. It was a moving experience for all.

Marjorie’s energy, art, the way she lives her life, inspires and I feel very lucky to be an acquaintance.

© Shirley Keller

Marjorie Brandon Exhibition

September 21-November 21, 2009
Brandon-Mitchell Gallery, 117 S. Locust Street, Visalia
Reception 12-3 pm Sunday, September 27 (note date error in newspaper)
Call 625-2441 for more information.

from article in Visalia Times Delta in Choices September 25, 2009

“Maybe that’s why she stays so young — there’s never a dull moment with Marjorie. It is mesmerizing to be around her. She is always a bright spirit, full of joy, always with that twinkle in her eyes.” — Deolinda

Yes, Marjorie Brandon is the same Brandon for whom the Brandon-Mitchell Gallery is partially named. The gallery was originally opened to honor the memory of an incredible artist, Judy Mitchell, who had passed away suddenly in 2003. The Board of Trustees unanimously decided also to honor a living artist, Marjorie, who is still creating art six years later.

She is being celebrated once again for her astonishing, high-energy right brain, which keeps producing the marvelous, unmistakable essense of Marjorie.

Where do I begin to desribe and define this Renaissance woman?  She has been recognized for her art, poetry, private art instruction and her many roles in a variety of arts organizations, some of which she helped create. She has served on many boards, including Visalia Arts Consortium, Arts Council, AAUW and others.

For the few of you who aren’t familiar with Marjorie Brandon, let’s get you acquainted.  Marjorie was born Sept. 26, 1912 (yes, she turns 97 on Saturday), in Los Angeles, the oldest and only girl with three brothers. She graduated from Inglewood High School and Fresno State College and taught in Tulare County schools for 25 years, retiring in 1970.

Brandon has traveled the world, studying art in Yugoslavia, Greece, England, Israel, Italy, Turkey, France and Japan. While in France, she was very much impressed and inspired by the collages in the hotel she stayed in. When she returned home, she produced three collages that now hang above her sofa.

She has studied with Musselman, Abby Rubinstein, Jules Rubinstein and various teachers at College of the Sequoias and Fresno State. Her greatest inspiration has come from Ignacio Diaz, Charlotte Mollan and Sabin Gray. She has conducted workshops in Porterville, Exeter, Three Rivers and Visalia and currently will teach when asked.

Her poetry and art reflect Marjorie’s living philosophy, her being: Getting to the essence, while embracing all.

When I asked her what made her such a free spirit, her response was pure Marjorie.  “Am I a free spirit? I am open to everything because I don’t want to miss out on anything,” she said. “It’s my chance to learn, grow and change.”

This is so true. Last week when I hung the show, Marjorie was right there, assisting me. We were at it all day, and then she attended a concert with me, never complaining about being tired; she had just as much energy as she did at lunch. Maybe that’s why she stays so young — there’s never a dull moment with Marjorie. It is mesmerizing to be around her. She is always a bright spirit, full of joy, always with that twinkle in her eyes.

Elena’s Harmony Hill

It happened about 18 years ago (back in the days when I co-owned Cort Gallery.)  Marjorie came to teach a collage workshop in the back courtyard under the blue sky.  Tables were set up and there was quite a few of us having great fun.  Marjorie had brought many of her beautiful paper samples and scraps.  We were tearing pieces and pasting, as Marjorie walked around giving us personal attention and great tips.

Suddenly a strong breeze showed up and all the air was filling with paper scraps.  We were all a scramble trying to pin down our collages!  What a lesson to learn: create collage indoors or let the breeze help you create!

© Elsah Cort