Review of the Year: Newsletter

2011 was a very exciting and successful year, not only for the Auction Houses, but for me too.

To begin the year, two of my paintings were purchased by the Shelly and Donald Rubin Foundation with the assistance of deputy director Rachel Weingeist.  The works purchased by the Rubin Foundation are representative of my early period in Cuba and transitioning to the U.S. 

The DaVinci Series which I began in 2008 continued. I finished work on the 4 states of a portrait, the final state being entered into The National Portrait Gallery Competition for 2012/13.  Additionally, the Portraits of John Kennedy, Barack Obama, Steve Jobs, and only one final Marilyn Monroe are complete or near complete; these works are available.  One Marilyn Monroe portrait, the second version, is now in a private collection. Please see my website www.renelio-marin.com and my blog here for images, discussion detailing the 720 squares each work emerges from, and concepts about the work.

The pieces sold and collections into which my work has entered are generally from two categories:  Drawing of a highly personalized manifestation and portraits. They both represent the Cuban school influences and the American school years. This suggest that I'm a bi-cultural artist. More than a dozen pieces left my studio this year to enter into permanent private and institutional collections. In a time of economic uncertainty that is great news.

I am very honored and excited about two or three additional events: Art critic Robert C. Morgan came to my studio and was extraordinarily impressed with what is considered my "difficult" work -these are very strong, often violent, scatological, sexual, political, works. As a result he arranged a meeting within days for me with a director of a significant Museum.  You will be hearing more about this.

Other serious collectors who have seen this body of what is often referred to as "difficult" work have purchased and have made their intentions to sponsor exhibitions known.  Dialogue on particular purchases continues.

I am most inspired by the response I received from the venerable art critic Robert C. Morgan.  This is a significant beginning on the next chapter in my career.

In May I graduated from NYU with a Masters Degree and really just began to paint and work on my career full time in June.  The year was a whirlwind and went by quickly.

I am grateful to my many friends, collectors, and professional colleagues of all sorts.  I invite you to come to my studio now, before I make a formal commitment to a gallery, and I will do what I can to enable you to begin or continue collecting my works. 

I wish you all good healthy, wonderful Holidays, and great collecting! 

Best Wishes,

Renelio Marin
917-597-5670
www.renelio-marin.com