Marla Payne

As an out woman with over 35 years of sobriety, I can't think of a better way to build a life than to be giving back to my community and knocking down barriers for those who follow.

I have a deep longing, as if something is missing inside, and I must find it through my art. There is a fear that I will not be whole or complete until I am able to make that spiritual connection and share my findings with the world.

For me, who I am as an artist depends greatly on my ability to tap into the limitless imagination of the world around me, open my mind to all possibilities, all materials, and all avenues and then intertwine it all together into a piece of art that speaks for itself.

I don't seek to just make art. I challenge myself to change my history and impact my community. I aspire to create impressions so deep that the soul of the viewer cannot deny it’s been touched. I can’t help but feel that is my soul's purpose, to use my life to make life-changing art. I'm compelled to press on knowing I have a purpose.