Marilyn McEvoy was born in Gary, Indiana, and attended high school during a turbulent period when Black students were bused to integrate her previously all-white school, before busing became an integral part of desegregation. Much of knowing who we are comes from understanding where we’ve been and the experiences that shape our lives. Does she know for sure whether this period of chaos and disruption influenced her desire for order and simplicity in her compositions? No—but like all life journeys that include uncomfortable episodes, we unknowingly draw upon them in diverse ways.

When she begins to paint, her focus is on bold colors and dynamic composition. Her abstract paintings have been described as unique, different, and striking. She prefers bright colors, angles, and lines (no circles), along with a minimalist composition. She also uses shades of red extensively in her work, as red speaks to her as a color that evokes both life’s excitement and the future.

As she applies paint to canvas, she likes to go with the flow and mood of the day, as this process promotes spontaneity and often results in a more lively outcome. She doesn’t like clutter in her life, and her minimalist compositions reflect a desire to keep things simple.

She loves it when someone looks at her painting and the composition evokes a memory or the colors speak to them, as this indicates that the work has drawn them in to linger and enjoy the art.

She currently resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where the exceptional light and diversity of cultures enhance her artistic expression. She began her career working in clay and later moved into painting, where she is self-taught.