NEW YORK, NY.- Marcia Coppel’s new paintings, now on view at Touchstone Gallery through to the end of the month, are based on her love for the people, rich color, and landscape of Mexico. Her recent work was made using line drawings done “on the spot” before, during, and after the height of Covid-19. The color was added later in her studio.

“At times, painting was difficult or impossible. However, when I could paint, I was able to resume with my sense of whimsy and use rich colors,” says Coppel. Underneath the humor, she is concerned with communication, isolation, laughter, healing.

Marcia Coppel was formally educated in art and speech therapy. She attended George Washington University, Cornell University, the University of Wisconsin, and the Instituto of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Coppel began drawing as a way of recording her extensive travels in Mexico and the Greek Islands. Wanting to integrate her abstract painting style with her drawings, she moved from her native Washington, DC to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. While studying there with Dennis Pohl and Carolyn King, her expressionist realism developed. She continues to be inspired by the colors, texture, form, and light of Mexico. Recent solo exhibitions at Touchstone Gallery include Apart?? Together?? (2019) and Connect/Disconnect 2 (2017).

Marcia Coppel: The Artist

Marcia Coppel was formally educated in art and speech therapy and is a keen observer of both verbal and non-verbal communication. She attended George Washington University, Cornell University, the University of Wisconsin, and the Instituto of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

Marcia began drawing as a way of recording her extensive travels in Mexico and the Greek Islands of Mykonos and Santorini. Wanting to integrate her abstract painting style with her drawings, she moved from her native Washington, DC to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. While studying there with Dennis Pohl and Carolyn King, her expressionist realism developed and was inspired by the colors, texture, form and light of Mexico.

"Everything here (in Mexico) is visual. Not just the flowers and the colors of nature. There are little surprises around every corner, in doorways, niches, and above the buildings" Marcia's light and playful use of color and line, combined with her innate sensitivity, humorously depicts the subtle nuances of being human in all of its joy and pathos.

After living in Mexico for almost five years, Marcia moved back to her residence and studio in Washington, DC. She returns to San Miguel and Puerto Vallarta for several months every year; there she can be found painting in her studio or drawing in the cafes or on the beaches of Mexico.